The Allen Americans used great defense led by goalie Chase Perry to defeat the Rapid City Rush 4-1 last night before a crowd of 2579 at The Monument Ice Arena. Perry stopped 40 of 41 shots (.976 save percentage) in a game that wasn't decided until the Americans scored two empty net goals at the end of the game. This was exactly the type of game coach Costello has said Allen needs to win to have success in the playoffs.
- Colby McAuley scored the only goal of the first period at the 8:03 mark and the Americans never trailed the rest of the game. Kris Myllari scored the first of his two goals early in the second period (1:52) to give Allen a 2-0 lead. Alex Aleardi scored Rapid City's lone goal of the game midway through the second period to make the score 2-1.
- Even though it was a tight game the Americans were well situated with a 2-1 lead after the second period. That has happened on the road 14 times this season and Allen's record in those games is 12-2-0-0. Neither team scored in the third period until Rapid City pulled its goalie with 1:36 remaining. Allen scored two empty nets goals (Kris Myllari & Mikael Robidoux) to make the final score 4-1. With the win Allen moved into fourth place in the Mountain Division in points (64) and is tied with Wichita for third place in points percentage (.508).
- Goal scorers for Allen were Colby McAuley (7), Kris Myllari (5,6), and Mikael Robidoux (9). For Myllari it was the first two goal game of his pro career. Hank Crone assisted on the first two goals. Here are the video highlights with the goals and some great saves: https://www.echl.com/en/video/2023/3/allen-americans-vs-rapid-city-rush---mar-30-2023-dYTEepJY
- Here are the game recaps from both teams:
Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/game-recap-americans-4-rapid-city-1-final/
Rapid City Rush: https://www.rapidcityrush.com/en/news/2023/3/rush-dropped-by-allen-4-1
- Stats from the game:
- Allen scored in all three period (1, 2, 1).
- Rapid City outshot Allen 41-25 (1st period 15-9, 2nd 10-10, 3rd 16-6).
- Both teams were scoreless on the power play (Allen 0-1, Rapid City 0-3).
- With two assists in the game Hank Crone has 91 points and an eight-point lead in the scoring race.
- Allen allowed one goal in a game for the sixth time this season to go along with one shutout.
CHAD COSTELLO COACH'S COMMENTS
"We did a really good job managing the game."
"Chase Perry played great again and came up with some big saves when we needed them."
"We need to clean up our execution with the puck and our passing in the next two games."
"I liked the way we competed hard the entire game. That helped us win a tough road game."
"Liam Finlay's gear never arrived, that is why he wasn't in the lineup. We got it late in the night so he will be in the lineup on Friday."
"Massicotte has been recalled by Belleville."
TONIGHT'S PREVIEW
- With Zachary Massicotte recalled by Belleville the Americans are down to five defensemen. I am sure coach Costello is trying to find a way to get a sixth defenseman to Rapid City to bolster the lineup. Allen gets Liam Finlay back in the lineup tonight so will likely be playing one player short. Which goalie gets the start won't be known until Costello gets to the rink this morning.
- There were only four power plays in the game last night and Allen had just one. It didn't give Allen a chance to use its advantage on the power play. That will likely change tonight.
- Allen needs to reduce the shots allowed as the Americans were outshot by 16 last night (41-25). Allen's style of play produces more grade A chances on fewer shots, but Perry had to stop too many great shots last night.
- Allen had a good start last night and never relinquished the lead. That will be a key to the game again tonight.
OTHER COMMENTS
- Dalton Skelly was placed on injured reserve yesterday effective March 26. Injured reserve requires a player to sit out a minimum of 14 days (no maximum).
- Allen was able to gain ground on every Mountain Division team last night. Here are the current standings by points with games remaining in parenthesis:
- 107 points - Idaho (8)
- 66 points - Kansas City (8)
- 66 points - Wichita (7)
- 64 points - Allen (9)
- 63 points - Utah (8)
- 61 points - Rapid City (8)
- 48 points -Tulsa (10)
- It is a big and important night in the ECHL tonight with all 28 teams in action. Here are Mountain Division games:
- Allen at Rapid City
- Wichita at Utah
- Kansas City at Idaho
- Tulsa at Maine
Here is the ECHL Today with previews of all 14 games. Note Reading and Fort Wayne can clinch playoff spots tonight and Idaho can clinch the Brabham Cup. https://www.echl.com/en/news/2023/3/echl-today-march-31
- I see lots of discussion about how much the Allen team has changed over the season, rather than being the same team that has turned the season around. When coach Costello says he has stuck with his players even when the team was in last place late in December, he is referring to the core group of players that have not changed during the season. Here is that group that was on the opening day roster and is still with the team:
Goalies
- #31 - Luke Peressini
- #3 - Ryan Gagnon
- #4 - Kris Myllari
- #23 - Colton Saucerman
- #24 - Dalton Skelly
- #7 - Colton Hargrove
- #15 - Liam Finlay
- #21 - Jack Combs
- #26 - Spencer Asuchak
- #28 - Justin Young
- #32 - Mikael Robidoux
- #67 - Hank Crone
- While the core group of 12 players is still with the team, Costello has made many changes during the season to upgrade the roster. Here are the 11 players on the current roster added since opening day, along with the date they played their first game for Allen.
- Zachary Massicotte - November 4 (just recalled by Belleville)
- Aidan Brown - December 2
- Chad Butcher - December 9
- Dalton Gally - December 16
- Grant Hebert - January 11
- Chase Perry - January 13
- Colby McAuley - January 20
- Stefan Fournier - February 24
- Eric Williams - March 14
- Jakov Novak - March 19
- Ty Farmer - March 30
