Allen Loses 3-1, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Remaining Schedule Stats, 40 Goal Scorers and More

 

The Allen Americans had a chance to sweep the week and go into their 12 day break on a high note, but the Tulsa Oilers had other ideas and pulled out a 3-1 win. A big Saturday afternoon crowd (6004) on McDonald's Day watched the Americans offense sputter while the defense held Tulsa to just three goals. It was just the third time all season the Americans held an opponent to three or fewer goals and lost a game in regulation.

 

- Tulsa scored the first goal of the game at the 13:42 mark of the first period and that was a sign of the outcome of the game.  In the last six games between Allen and Tulsa the team that scored first won the game. However, Allen responded a little over two minutes later (16:13) when Gavin Gould took a pass from Eric Williams and put a backhander into the net. It was Gould's seventh goal of the season. The score was tied 1-1 at the end of the first period. Coach Costello would tell me after the game the first period was key to the outcome of the game. Allen dominated the period but failed to convert on many grade A chances.

 

- The eventual game winning goal came in the second period. Former Allen forward, Tyler Poulson, scored his career high 16th goal of the season to put Tulsa ahead to stay by a score of 2-1. Poulson has been tough on his old team this season. Six of his 16 goals (38%) have come against the Americans. Poulson's goal was the only one of the second period as Tulsa outshot Allen 16-9.

 

- Allen had the better play in the third period including a power play opportunity but could not get the equalizer. Allen out shot Tulsa 17-9 and came close several times but could not get the puck in the net. Tulsa scored with three minutes remaining in the game. Eddie Matsushima, who was a teammate of Chad Costello in 3ICE in 2022 when they won the championship, scored to seal the win for the Oilers. Matsushima has led Tulsa in points against Allen. In 10 games he has 15 points (6G, 15A). 

 

- There were plenty of positives to take away from the game for the Americans:

• Allen out shot Tulsa 40-34. It was only the second time the Americans reached 40 shots against Tulsa and the 34 shots allowed were the fewest against the Oilers.
• The penalty kill was perfect (0-3) after going 0-4 in Tulsa on Friday.
• Allen held Tulsa to three goals. The Americans win 87% of the points when allowing three of fewer goals.
   

- Here are the game recaps from both teams and the highlight video:

• Allen Americans game recap: https://allenamericans.com/news/2024/02/americans-split-weekend-series-with-tulsa
• Tulsa Oilers game recap: https://tulsaoilers.com/news/2024/02/oilers-are-victorious-over-americans-in-final-game-of-five-straight
• Video highlights: https://echl.com/videos/tulsa-oilers-vs-allen-americans-feb-17-2024

 

- Now the Americans will have 12 days before their next game which happens to be against Tulsa at home on March 1. Coach Costello made an offer to the team back when Allen was heading on the road to Kansas City and Idaho. He would give the team a day off during the upcoming long break for every game they win until the break. The team earned six games off. The fact is most of the players are staying in town or going somewhere for a couple of days. The team has ice for most days and you can bet a lot of the players will show up for these optional skates. The last four or five days before Allen plays Tulsa on March 1 the team will have regular practices. Having a long break at this point in the season is unheard of with the grueling ECHL schedule. Having some time off for all of the bumps and bruises to heal should be helpful down the stretch. 

 

- Allen has 22 games remaining in the regular season. It is looking more and more like Allen, Tulsa and Utah will battle to the end of the season for the final two playoff spots. Here is the remaining schedule for all three teams. All team's current points percentage is in parenthesis:

• Allen - 22 games remaining (.470)
  
• 13 home, 9 away
• 5 - Tulsa (.531)
  
• 5 - Kansas City (.781)
  
• 3 - Kalamazoo (.564)
  
• 3 - Rapid City (.408)
  
• 3 - Adirondack (.714)
  
• 3 - Wichita (.385)
    

• Tulsa - 24 games remaining (.531)
  
• 9 home, 15 away
• 8 - Wichita (.385)
• 6 - Idaho (.704)
• 5 - Allen (.470)
• 3 - Kansas City (.781)
• 2 - Indy (.612)
    

• Utah - 24 games remaining (.490)
  
• 13 home, 11 away
• 8 - Idaho (.704)
• 6 - Kansas City (.781)
• 6 - Rapid City (.408)
• 3 - Norfolk (.592)
• 1 - Wheeling (.604)

- It will be interesting to see what happens in Belleville and Ottawa during this long break for the Americans. Ottawa is in last place and will not make the playoffs. Belleville is currently in the last playoff position. Both teams have been getting injured players back. I doubt you will see any players assigned to Allen next week, but it is likely you could see that happen toward the end of the month.

 

 

  

DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL Stats post today is about 40 goals scorers and Allen is well represented. Here are Allen's top single season goals scorers in franchise history

• 49 - Hank Crone (2022-23)
• 44 - Gary Steffes (2014-15)
• 41 - Chad Costello (2014-15) 
• 39 - Colton Hargrove (2022-23)
• 36 - Jack Combs (2022-23)
• 35 - Greger Hanson (2016-17)
• 34 - Bruce Graham (2010-11)
• 34 - Nino Musitelli (2010-11)
• 34 - Zach Pochiro (2018-19)
• 33 - Chad Costello (2016-17)
• 33 - Colton Yellow Horn (2010-11)
• 33 - Liam Finlay (2022-23)
  

 

 

In the last 10 ECHL seasons just eight players scored more than 40 goals in a season: 

 

49 - Hank Crone, ALN (2022-23)

44 - Mickey Lang, FW & ORL (2013-14)

44 - *Gary Steffes, ALN (2014-15)

41 - *Chad Costello, ALN (2014-15)

41 - David Pecan, BRM (2016-17)

41 - Brendan O’Donnell, FLA (2016-17)

41 - Adam Pleskach, TUL (2014-15)

41 - *Michael Joly, COL (2017-18)

 

*Team won the Kelly Cup

 

- The last player to reach 50 goals in a season was Kevin Baker. Playing for Florida in 2008-09 Baker had 57 goals.