Allen vs Kansas City Preview, Suspensions, Les Lancaster Returns, Gabe Gagne Shines in Rockford, MLK Historical Results and More

Today is MLK/Kids Day at the Allen Americans with a 1:05 pm rematch against the Kansas City Mavericks. The question of the day is will these teams act like adults or kids today. Allen beat Kansas City 8-2 on Saturday and in the process a coach and two players were sent to their rooms (ejected) and will be unavailable for the rematch today because they will be in timeout (suspended).

- Kansas City coach John-Scott Dixon was suspended for one game for abuse of officials. I didn't see the incident but have heard he threw equipment (sticks) on the ice. Allen's Mitch Vandergunst and Kansas City's Loren Ulett were suspended for two games for separate incidents. The official language was match penalty for fighting (Ulett) and actions following an altercation for Vandergunst. The more common language would be sucker punch. Vandergunst hit Ryan Van Stralen after they were separated by the linesmen. Ulett sucker punched Alex Breton. Here is the ECHL press release announcing the suspensions.  https://www.echl.com/en/news/2020/1/echl-announces-fines-suspensions-jan-19


- The unanswered question is what if any carryover will there be from the game on Saturday. Many times when you expect a rough and tumble game it turns out just the opposite. Both teams have a lot of players missing so that will certainly be a factor.


- Les Lancaster has returned to Allen from San Antonio (AHL). Les played in two games with the Rampage and had one assist. With Lancaster's return and Vandergunst suspended you will probably see a defenseman (Fraser or Lancaster) taking shifts up front.


- Kansas City acquired forward Charlie O'Connor from Norfolk yesterday to bolster their shorthanded roster.


- Anyone that thinks the game this afternoon will be an easy win for the Americans after the 8-2 drubbing they put on the Mavericks on Saturday better think twice. First, a reminder the visiting teams has won all four games between these teams this season. Second, it was just a couple of weeks ago the Mavericks visited Allen and beat the Americans 5-3 and 4-2.


- Here is a preview of the game today issued by the Allen Americans:  https://allenamericans.com/game-day-americans-host-kc/


- Getting off to a good start is always important and even more so this afternoon. Kansas City has lost four straight games and in those games have been outscored 23-4. The Americans need to jump on the Mavericks early and give them no hope. Both teams are very good when scoring first. Allen's record is 19-3-1-0, Kansas City's is 13-3-0-0.


- Allen's power play has been on fire recently. The Americans were 4-7 against the Mavericks on Saturday and if you look at the last four Allen games the power play percentage is 44.4% (8-18).


- In four games against Kansas City this season the Allen penalty kill has given up only one power play goal.  


- Gabe Gagne made quite an impression in his debut with the Rockford IceHogs (AHL) on Sunday. Rockford shutout Chicago 2-0 and Gabe was involved in both goals. He assisted on the first goal and scored the second goal. For his effort Gabe was given the #2 star of the game. The Rockford goalie was the #1 star with his 34 save shutout. Have to believe Gagne will be gone a while.


-  The ECHL will take their All-Star break after today's games. There will be a good sized contingent from Allen heading to Wichita for the All-Star game in addition to coach Steve Martinson, player Tyler Sheehy and play by play broadcaster Tommy Daniels who were all selected to be part of the festivities. Some Allen front office employees and many fans will also be in attendance in Wichita.


- After today's game the Americans will have just five games (2 home, 3 away) in the next 22 days. Plenty of time to practice and heal up.



DID YOU KNOW: Allen's MLK day record since joining the ECHL is 1-1-2-0. All games were at home.  

2020 - Kansas City  ????
2019 - Allen did not play on MLK day
2018 - Allen lost 2-1 to Tulsa with Stephon Williams in goal
2017 - Allen lost 5-4 in overtime to Missouri with Jamie Murray in goal
2016 - Allen lost 4-3 in overtime to Cincinnati with Joel Rumpel in goal
2015 - Allen beat Missouri 5-2 with Aaron Dell in goal