Nothing comes easy for the 2018-19 version of the Allen Americans and it was true again last night as they beat the Wichita Thunder 6-5 before a St. Patrick's Day crowd of 4389 at the Allen Event Center (AEC). With a 5-3 lead late in the third period Allen gave up two power play goals in 70 seconds (18:15 & 19:25) after Wichita pulled their goalie. Josh Atkinson saved the day for Allen with the game winner at the 1:28 mark of overtime.
- There was plenty of good and bad in this game for Allen fans. Here are a few examples:
Bad: Allen gave up the first goal of the game for the 40th time in 66 games. Their record when giving up the first goal going into the game was 8-30-0-1.
Good: After giving up the first goal Allen answered back and took a 3-2 lead into the first intermission. Wichita's record when trailing after one period on the road going into the game was 1-11-1-1.
Bad: Allen was out shot by Wichita 39-29. It was the 46th time in 66 games this has happened. The Americans record when being out shot at home going into the game was 5-13-1-0.
Good: Allen was 2-4 on the power play. In their last five games against Wichita (all wins) the Americans power play percentage is 40.1% (9-22).
Bad: After holding the best power play in the ECHL (23.1%) scoreless the last four times Allen played Wichita they gave up two power play goals late in the game last night to allow the Thunder to tie the game.
Good: Allen was able to stay out of the penalty box taking just four minor penalties in the game.
Bad: After taking just one penalty in the first 52 minutes of the game the Americans took three penalties in the last eight minutes that allowed Wichita to make a comeback.
Good: Josh Atkinson won the game on Allen's first shot of the overtime period.
- Here is the game recap issued by the Wichita Thunder: https://www.wichitathunder.com/news/press-release/thunder-closes-trip-with-otl-in-allen.html
- Goal scorers for Allen were Josh Atkinson (4.5), Zach Pochiro (34), Adam Miller (15) Jake Doty (5) and Gary Steffes (3). Here are the Sporfie highlights of the goals:
Josh Atkinson
Zach Pochiro
Adam Miller
Jake Doty
Gary Steffes
Josh Atkinson OT game winner
- Here is a video highlight package of all 11 goals scored in the game. The game was Autism Awareness Night and the first part of these highlights is a young man with Autism singing the national anthem. Job well done by Shawn Piper.
STEVE MARTINSON'S POST GAME COMMENTS
"It would have been something to lose that game. It would have made for a long week for everyone."
"We had really good puck possession on our power plays but we didn't shoot the puck enough. We need to make a couple of passes and then when we get a chance for a one timer we need to take it."
"I like the way Ben Owen played. He moved his feet and moved the puck. He got caught jumping into the play that one time that ended up with an odd man rush."
"We will be back to a full lineup by Friday and I might bring in a college guy to add depth. Gogol will be back from suspension, Lange could be ready and I expect Motte will be available this weekend."
"Because we played so poorly last Tuesday against Tulsa we practiced every day this week. We will take a day off tomorrow (Monday) and then get ready for Utah."
- It was a great story to see Ben Owen, a local Allen product, play in his first ECHL game and have it be for his hometown team. Ben is a graduate of Allen High School in his first pro season. He was at training camp with the Americans and played well but didn't make the team. He spent the year in the SPHL (Evansville) before signing with Allen this week. Ben assisted on Jake Doty's goal for his first ECHL point. I had a season ticket holder share with me his kids had Ben and his sister as instructors when they taught skating skills in the Community rink. Ben will be with the Americans for the remainder of the season.
- Gary Steffes scored his 94th goal as an Allen American last night to move into fourth all-time in goals scored. He needs three goals in the last six games to catch third place (Bruce Graham 97) and four goals to tie Greger Hanson and Chad Costello at the top of the list with 98 goals.
- Zach Pochiro scored his 34th goal of the season last night to regain the ECHL lead. Adam Pleskach and J.C. Campagna are tied for second with 33 goals.
- After their win last night Allen's record in overtimes this season is 3-4. In shootouts their record is 4-2.
OTHER COMMENTS
- There were a couple of wild affairs in ECHL action last night. Idaho beat Orlando 4-1 after losing to the Solar Bears 6-2 on Saturday. Special teams were the key to victory as Idaho scored a power play goal and two shorthanded goals. The wildest game hands down goes to the Newfoundland vs Maine game where the Mariners won 5-4. Maine was the home team and fell behind 4-2 before they scored two third period goals to tie the game 4-4. After a scoreless overtime period the game went to an 18 round shootout before Maine won. Wade Murphy was the hero for Maine as he scored in the 10th round and again in the 18th round. Both teams scored in the 7th, 8th and 10th rounds to keep the shootout going. Were the 36 shooters a record? No, but it was close. On February 22, 2013 Evansville beat Florida 5-4 in a shootout when there were 42 shooters.
- With their win over Orlando last night Idaho locked themselves into a playoff spot. They join Tulsa, Cincinnati and Florida as teams who have already punched their tickets to the Kelly Cup playoffs. For Idaho it is the 22nd consecutive season the team has made the playoffs. The Steelheads have never missed the playoffs in franchise history.
- There is only one game in the ECHL tonight as Rapid City is at Utah. This is the last of the six straight games these teams have played each other. The Rush won the first four games before losing game five on Saturday. It is a must win for both teams. If Utah loses it will almost eliminate their chances to pass Idaho and Tulsa for the top seeds in the Mountain Division and home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. If Rapid City loses their chance of passing Kansas City for the last playoff spot will be virtually gone.
DID YOU KNOW: Zach Pochiro scored his 34th goal last night and moved into a tie for fourth all time in Allen franchise history for goals in a season. With six games remaining the only question left is how many more goals will Pochiro score. It has been an amazing progression for Zach over the last three seasons. He scored just three goals in 42 games in 2016-17, last season he had 18 goals and this season he has 34 with six games remaining. Based on his average goals per game this season (.60) Zach would end up with 37 or 38 goals. Here are the top six all-time in regular season goals.
44 - Gary Steffes (2014-15)
41 - Chad Costello (2014-15)
35 - Greger Hanson (2016-17)
34 - Zach Pochiro (2018-19)
34 - Bruce Graham (2010-11)
34 - Nino Musitelli (2010-11)
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