Everything came together for the Allen Americans last night in one of the most entertaining home games of the season. Over 6000 fans (the third 6000+ game of the season) watched Allen beat Tulsa 6-3 at the CUTX Event Center. With the win Allen moved into fourth place by themselves in the Mountain Division and closed the gap to third place Tulsa to four points.
- It didn't take long for Allen to score the first goal of the game. Grant Hebert scored 22 seconds after puck drop on the first shot of the game. It was the quickest the Americans had scored a goal all season. Tulsa tied the score 1-1 at the 11:32 mark of the first period on a shorthanded goal. It was the eighth shorthanded goal Allen has allowed this season. Allen responded just 17 seconds later regain the lead after on Grant Hebert's second goal of the game.
- Allen added two more first period goals (Colby McAuley and Bennett MacArthur) to take a 4-1 lead at the end of the first period. Four goals is most first period goals Allen has scored all season. Allen outshot Tulsa 15-7 in the first period.
- Allen has struggled in the second period recently having been outscored 7-0 and outshot 43-16 in the three games prior to last night. When Easton Brodzinski scored early in the second period to give Allen a 5-1 lead the game was pretty much decided. Tulsa had a good second period outshooting the Americans 15-7 but managed just one goal and that came with 57 seconds left in the period.
- Allen regained its four goal lead (6-2) on a Johnny Walker power play goal at the 12:41 mark of the third period. The only question at that point was the final score. Allen gave up a power play goal with 13.5 seconds remaining in the game to make the final score 6-3. It was a meaningless goal but Marco Costantini deserved a better fate.
- Goal scorers for Allen were Grant Hebert (5, 6), Colby McAuley (22), Bennett MacArthur (6), Easton Brodzinski (19). Johnny Walker (5). Here are the video highlights. It is notable all six goals had two assists which shows how the Americans were making plays last night. Several of the goals were set up by defensemen moving the puck up ice with speed. https://echl.com/videos/tulsa-oilers-vs-allen-americans-feb-9-2024
- Here are the game recaps issued by both teams:
- Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/news/2024/02/americans-erupt-for-four-goals-in-the-first-beat-tulsa-6-3
- Tulsa Oilers: https://tulsaoilers.com/news/2024/02/first-period-deficit-too-much-to-overcome-against-americans
POST GAME COMMENTS
- Chad Costello brought Johnny Walker (1G, 2A) to the post game press conference with the season ticket holders and here is what they had to say:
"The support from the fans was great tonight, you were into the game right away and that really helped.".....Costello
"We have to complete the sweep tomorrow night. We had as tough road trip in Kansas City and Idaho. We pretty much played the same was on the road trip as we did tonight, but had some misfortune.".....Costello
"The guys are as tight and committed as I have seen the entire season. It is that time of year here in Allen. As we get closer and closer to playoff time, tonight felt like here we go again. We don't want to get too ahead of ourselves because we still have a long way to go.".....Costello
"As coach said we have been a little unfortunate the last couple of weeks but credit to our group in sticking to it. You saw it on Wednesday night and again to night, a resilient effort, and that is what you will see tomorrow.".....Walker
"Hebert went off but he is fine. The game was almost over and I wanted to get him a hat trick, but anytime you get hit in the head with the puck you have to take it seriously so we sent him off as a precaution.".....Costello
"Crone is better than we thought. When I watched the video I would have sworn it was a broken ankle. It is not serious but will take some time. Luckily we have that break coming up and he should be back quicker than you think. He is a tough little player. Being small like that he is used to getting hit especially holding on to the puck as he does.".....Costello
"I expect we will be getting players assigned from Belleville as soon as next week.".....Costello
"Marco Costantini has been incredible. He has started seven straight games for us including the tough road games in Kansas City and Idaho. I made a joke I was going to play him until he legs fell off. He has given us a chance to win every game. He is a calm, patient type of goalie that makes his team feel safe so the guys don't hesitate, they just play.".....Costello
"As a group we try to buckle down on certain things. It is like okay we are giving up less shots, now how do we get more shots. Okay we are getting 40 shots, how do we get more scoring chances. That first period was like whoa, that's speed, defense, shots, power plays, that's playing smart, that was playing as a group. It was pretty to watch, but what you have to fight for in any sport is consistency. We have to have this new level and keep growing.".....Costello
"Our defensemen are really fast. If you are big and really fast you are signed to the NHL or AHL. The real big guys in our league usually can't skate. Our defensive group is not real big but are very fast. That is what you saw tonight. Our forwards were just flying through the neutral zone and if they get stopped our defensemen push up and are right on top of the opponent. The kicker is when the opponent throws the puck to our net. Are we able to be strong enough to keep them away. That is the challenge I have for those guys. I ask them to compete with their hearts on fire. I tell them we love your speed and everything you bring but you have to compete in front of our net. It has been a challenge but as a group they have gotten better.".....Costello
TODAY'S PREVIEW
- If you had describe what it will take to win tonight it would be more of the same. Last night Allen scored first, had the lead after the first and second period, matched the #2 ranked team in shots per game, scored six goals and allowed three goals. If you had to pick something to improve it would be special teams. Allen was 1-4 on the power play and gave up a shorthanded goal. Tulsa was 1-2 on the power play.
- Allen has done a good job in staying out of the penalty box and giving up power play opportunities in the first two games against Tulsa. Allen has had seven power play opportunities to just four for Tulsa. The referee tonight will be the same as the first two games and he let a lot go last night and Wednesday. You have to expect the rough stuff will ramp up even more tonight.
- One of the decisions coach Costello will have to make today is who gets the start in goal. Costantini has started seven straight games and has to be tired. It is not unusual to start back to back games but three games in four nights after all the road games may be tough. Mark Sinclair is close to being ready after not playing for the last month. Other than who gets the start in goal the lineup should be the same tonight.
UPDATE: Mark Sinclair will get the start in goal tonight.
OTHER COMMENTS
- Allen allowed three goals last night and improved its record when allowing three or fewer goals to 14-2-1-0 (.853). When giving up more than three goals the Americans record is 6-21-1-1 (.241).
- Colby McAuley has 44 points (22G, 22A) in 43 games this season and is on pace for 35 goals and 70 points. Since turning pro in 2017-18 he has never had a season with more than 16 goals and 44 points. Colby is currently on a seven game point streak (5G, 3A).
- Here are the Mountain Division standings by points percentage with points in parenthesis:
- .789 - Kansas City (71 points)
- .689 - Idaho (62 points)
- .522 - Tulsa (47 points)
- .467 - Allen (43 points)
- .456 - Utah (41 points)
- .444 - Rapid City (40 points)
- .375 - Wichita (33 points)
- There is a full slate of games in the ECHL tonight with all 28 teams in action.Here are the previews: https://echl.com/news/2024/02/echl-today-feb-10
Winning creates chemistry. Not the other way around. I’m sorry but that’s the truth. Anybody that’s been in any kind of super competitive grown-up sports knows that’s the truth. And I’m sick of hearing about how tight the locker room is and all that other bullshit. It’s just not true
ReplyDelete-Bobby 226