School Day turned out to be successful for Allen as the Americans beat the Tulsa Oilers 6-5 in overtime yesterday before a crowd of 6835 (mostly children) at the BOK Center. The early start time (10:35 am) didn't agree with the Americans as Tulsa jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Allen got going. The Americans dominated play in the last half of the first period scoring three goals in just over five minutes to take a 3-2 lead into the first intermission despite being outshot 20-10. Coach Costello changed up the lines for this game and the newly constituted line of Marcinew-Daoust-Butcher scored Allen's first two goals, both were scored even strength. Colby McAuley scored Allen's third goal on the power play.
- Allen added to its lead in the second period on goals by Matt Marcinew and Mikael Robidoux. With five unanswered goals and a 5-2 lead it looked like it would be Allen's day, but nothing comes easy for this team. Tulsa came roaring back with two goals in the last few minutes of the second period to close the gap to 5-4 at the end of the second period.
- Tulsa took charge in the third period outshooting Allen 15-6 and finally was able to tie the score 5-5 on Michael Ferren's second goal of the game at the 13:08 mark. The Americans had to kill a penalty in the final minutes of the game to get the game to overtime.
- Allen made short work in overtime scoring in just 58 seconds. Colton Hargrove made a great pass to Matt Marcinew as they came in on the goalie 2-on-1. Marcinew tipped the puck in the net for the game winner. It was Marcinew's third goal of the game and second hat trick in his 253 game ECHL career.
- Goal scorers for Allen were Matt Marcinew (2,3,4), Philippe Daoust (3), Colby McAuley (2) and Mikael Robidoux (1). Here are the video highlights: https://echl.com/videos/allen-americans-vs-tulsa-oilers-nov-2-2023
- Here are the game recaps from both teams:
- Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/news/2023/11/americans-have-the-last-laugh-in-6-5-overtime-win
- Tulsa Oilers: https://tulsaoilers.com/news/2023/11/oilers-pick-up-point-in-back-and-forth-game
- The Americans were once again outshot by a wide margin (48-27). It is not a surprise against a team like Tulsa whose style is to throw everything at the net, so they typically have a lot of outside shots. Allen had more grade "A" chances and scored on 22.2% of its shots. While shots don't always tell the entire story the number of shots Allen has allowed in its five games this season is an average of 43.6 which is last in the league. It has led to Allen also being last in the ECHL in average goals allowed per game at 5.40. In the last four games the Americans have given up 8, 6, 6 and 5 goals. It is hard to win games giving up that many goals even with a potent offense.
- Allen got back on track yesterday on special teams. The Americans were 1-3 on the power play and held Tulsa scoreless on its three power plays including a critical penalty kill with the game tied late in the third period. After the disastrous special teams play against Atlanta, 0-9 on the power play, 4-9 on the penalty kill and giving up three shorthanded goals it was good to see special teams turnaround yesterday. The overall Allen power play percentage is now 14.3% (3-21) and the penalty kill is 79.2% (5-24).
- Special teams have been key to Allen's two wins this season despite being outshot in the two wins 94-46. In the opening day win in Idaho combined with the win yesterday against the Oilers, the Americans were 28.6% (2-7) on the power play and 100% (0-11) on the penalty kill.
- I had a chance to talk to coach Costello yesterday afternoon and here a some of his comments:
"We got off to a slow start. It's tough with such an early start and it took a bit for us to get going."
"I thought we took control of the game in the last part of the first period and first part of the second period when we were able to score five unanswered goals."
"Special teams were good today. The penalty kill late in the third period was crucial."
"I changed up the lines for the game today and it was good to see everyone contribute. I thought the lines were working well together."
"We let up in the third period and let them back in the game. Tomorrow we will have to be more consistent."
"It is important to get two points again tomorrow, especially given our upcoming schedule."
REMATCH PREVIEW
- The two points earned yesterday were critical but they won't be much help if Allen doesn't win tonight. A regulation loss tonight and Allen will have sole possession of last place in the Mountain Division. Remember, Allen plays four games next week, all against the undefeated Kansas City Mavericks who have a record of 6-0. The Mavericks play Rapid City at home tonight and tomorrow to try to extend its winning streak.
- The keys to victory tonight include getting off to a better start. Allen cannot give up two early goals like yesterday and expect to come back. Teams that score first win over 70% of the time. The odds are the team that scores first will win the game tonight.
- Allen has to find a way to reduce the number of shots and goals allowed. Yesterday it was 48 shots and five goals. The key to victory tonight will be having the shot totals closer and holding Tulsa to fewer than five goals.
- Liam Finlay was a late scratch in the game yesterday and will be a game time decision for the game tonight. It will be a big boost for the Americans if Finlay can play.
- Special teams are always a key to winning. Allen won the special teams battle in its two wins and lost the special teams battle in its three defeats. A key to winning tonight will be special teams.
- Tulsa forward Michael Ferren (#26) had two goals yesterday and now leads the ECHL in goals. Ferren has six goals in five games including a hat trick.
- The referee tonight, #12 Brendan Schreider, is the same as the game yesterday. Schreider let the players play for the most part. He called five penalties in the first period, none in the second period and just one in the third period. The more 5-on-5 hockey the better for the Americans.
OTHER COMMENTS
- Team owner Myles Jack flew to Tulsa yesterday and will be in attendance at the game tonight. From my perspective Myles has taken a special interest in Allen's on ice product you don't typically see in team owners. Being a professional athlete himself, Jack knows what it takes to make a team successful on the field and now on the ice. He has observed several practices (start to finish) and talked to the team to articulate his support in providing what they need to be successful. You often hear the term, "he is a player's coach" and Chad Costello is certainly that.but in my opinion Allen also has a player's owner.
- There are only two undefeated teams remaining in the ECHL. Atlanta is 4-0 and Kansas City is 6-0. Atlanta has scored 23 goals and allowed just nine. Kansas City has scored 23 goals an allowed 14.
- 24 of 28 ECHL teams will be in action tonight. Here is the ECHL Today with all of the previews: https://echl.com/news/2023/11/echl-today-nov-3
- Tommy Daniels interviewed Joe Ernst, ECHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations yesterday between periods and Joe discussed what was happening with the league regarding neck protection in light of the tragic death of Adam Johnson in a game in the EIHL. Joe said the league is working with the PHPA on whether to mandate neck protection in the ECHL. In the meantime individual teams can make the neck protection available if players want them. One issue Joe mentioned is that product availability is limited so this is not as easy as mandating use. It will take some time for supply to catch up with demand. You may have noticed some NHL players have already started wearing the neck protection including stars T.J. Oshie and Erik Karlsson. It seems like a matter of time before all pro leagues will mandate neck protection. Ernst also mentioned the ECHL mandated the use of wrist protection and cut resistant socks this season.
DID YOU KNOW: Here is the ECHL stats post for the day. FYI, Allen has two players that are 31 (Asuchak & Hargrove) and two that are 21 (Daoust & Sredl).
Having seen what can happen when a skate slices a player firsthand, this should have been done sooner. Glad to hear it's being implemented. It should be mandatory! No question.
ReplyDeletePerhaps they can all play in those inflatable ball suits...Boxing, MMA and NFL needs to be banned before this BS....
DeleteIt needs to start in the youth leagues. If kids start wearing them as they come up- no one would think any different. It's not just the neck- but fingers too. I think I heard of one youth player in the past couple of years having an injury. It's in my Grandson's gear bag for sure !
ReplyDeleteI'm researching hockey players losing fingers - finding more football players losing testicles - maybe my google isn't working
ReplyDeleteMore hockey players have died from fireworks accidents than skate blades
ReplyDeleteHere is Wayne Gretzky weighing in on neck protection. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzH3vD8RA35/?igshid=MXNwbTVxY21zYjdiaw==
ReplyDelete