The Allen Americans kicked off 2019 last night with a 5-3 win over the Kansas City Mavericks before a sparse crowd of 2678 on a cold and rainy night at the Allen Event Center (AEC). The Americans had to defy some statistical odds to get the win. Here are a few examples:
- Kansas City scored first: Prior to last night Allen was 3-22-0-2 when allowing the first goal.
- Kansas City was leading 1-0 after the first period: Prior to last night Allen was 3-14-0-1 when trailing after the first period.
- Kansas City was leading 3-2 after the second period: Prior to last night Allen was 0-6-0-0 when trailing after two periods at home.
- Allen tied the score 3-3 on a shorthanded goal: It was the first shorthanded goal allowed by Kansas City all season.
- Allen scored one power play goal but gave up two power play goals to Kansas City.
- Allen played shorthanded as Kevin Sundher was added to the already long injury list.
- Despite the odds the Americans were able to hold the Mavericks scoreless in the third period while scoring three goals themselves on a shorthanded goal, a power play goal and an empty net goal to secure their fourth home win of the season.
- Goal scorers for Allen were David Makowski (7), Spencer Asuchak (12), Chase Lang (2) and Braylon Shmyr (8) and Adam Miller (10). Here are the Sporfie highlights of all of the Allen goals except the Miller empty net goal.
David Makowski - A couple of things to look for in this clip. Spencer Asuchak goes down after colliding with the linesman. It looks like Makowski's shot hits Adam Miller who is screening the goalie but apparently it didn't.
Spencer Asuchak - Spencer shows how good things happen when you go to the net. Also, notice the great play and pass from Zach Pochiro.
Chase Lang - Lang makes a great play on this shorthanded goal but watch Mitch Maloney drive the net and arrive just in time to screen the goalie. Nothing on the scoresheet for Maloney but a big part of this goal.
Braylon Shmyr - Here are three views on Shmyr's power play goal. The first view shows how he gets open on the side of the net and roofs the puck over the goalie. The second view shows how the play develops with pass by Dante Salituro. The third view shows the celebration including Braylon throwing the monkey off his back. If you remember, Shmyr had seven goals in the first seven games of the season and was signed to a tryout agreement with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL). After he returned to Allen he has struggled to score. Braylon went 20 games without a goal before the game winner last night.
The roof shot:
The pass:
The Celly:
- Here is the game recap issued by the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/americans-open-2019-with-5-3-win-over-kansas-city/
- Here is the game recap issued by the Kansas City Mavericks: https://kcmavericks.com/en/news/2018/12/three-in-the-third-doom-the-mavs-in-allen
- Jason Deitsch was behind the bench for Allen as coach Steve Martinson was serving the second game of his two game suspension. Here is Jason's post game interview:
OTHER COMMENTS
- The Americans will have a practice today in preparation for their game in Tulsa on Friday night. Practices have been few and far between the last month with 15 games played and the Christmas break. There will be plenty to work on at practice today.
- Allen scored five goals last night. The last time the Americans scored that many goals was way back on October 27th.
- Kevin Sundher has managed to play in only eight games this season as he has dealt with numerous injuries and is once again out with an injury. He has one assist in the eight games he has been in the lineup.
- I talk about this frequently that Steve Martinson has not given up on this season and continues to try to improve the roster. There is no doubt in my mind there will be roster changes going forward and sooner rather than later.
- Things don't get any easier for the Americans the rest of January. Nine of their next 10 games are on the road. Allen plays Tulsa four times, Idaho three times and Wichita twice, all on the road. The Americans lone home game between now and January 30 is against Wichita on January 11.
- Allen has played more games (37) than any other team in the ECHL. Utah has played the fewest (30). There are 19 ECHL teams that have played 32 or fewer games.
- The Mountain Division has been close all season but this weekend could start to see some separation. Utah (.667) and Idaho (.641) are starting to put some distance from the rest of the group. Wichita (.529) and Rapid City (.471) are starting to struggle. Wichita is on the road for two games in Utah and Rapid City is in Kansas City for two games.
DID YOU KNOW: Zach Pochiro has 17 goals and if he keeps his current pace the rest of the season would finish with 35 goals. If Zach hits 30 goals this season he will join an elite group of Allen Americans. In 10 seasons the 30 goal plateau has been reached only eight time with two players accomplishing the feat twice. Here is the all-time single season list of players with 30 or more goals.
44 goals - Gary Steffes (2014-15)
41 goals - Chad Costello (2014-15)
35 goals - Greger Hanson (2016-17)
34 goals - Bruce Graham (2010-11)
34 goals - Nino Musitelli (2010-11)
33 goals - Chad Costello (2016-17)
33 goals - Colton Yellow Horn (2010-11)
31 goals - Bruce Graham (2009-10)
Glad to see the guys getting it together and playing better. Still work to do. Hopefully they have the attitude of not giving up this season. If nothing else, they can be the spoilers for some of the other teams.
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