It is game day for the Allen Americans. Game two of three straight against Wichita. After tonight's game both teams will travel to Wichita to play again tomorrow night. The game tonight will also be game five of the 18 game challenge that will determine Allen's fate this season. After the first four games of this challenging schedule the Americans record is 0-3-1-0 and they have been outscored 22-6.
- Not much has changed since the game preview on Wednesday. Here is an update of the head-to-head stats after the 4-1 loss on Wednesday:
- Head to head this season Allen's record against Wichita is 1-2-1-0.
- 4-1 loss in Allen (December 18)
- 4-2 loss in Wichita (December 5)
- 4-2 win in Wichita (November 8)
- 5-4 OT loss in Allen (October 30)
- Wichita has out shot Allen 153-112
- Allen's power play is 0-9 in the four games
- Wichita's power play is 2-13 (15.4%)
- Allen took 15 penalties for 33 minutes
- Wichita took 11 penalties for 25 minutes
- The Allen power play drought continued on Wednesday. At
the end of November Allen had the #3 ranked ECHL power play at 26.1%.
Since that time Allen has scored one power play goal in its last eight
games. The Americans are 1-23 (4.3%) on the power play and now ranked #11 (18.8%). A power play goal tonight will give a big boost toward a win.
- Despite a 1-2-1-0 record
against Wichita the Americans scored first in all four games. Allen hasn't had the results even though it has been scoring first a good start will be critical tonight. Playing with the lead is also critical. A reminder, Wichita is undefeated
when leading after the second period (10-0-0-0) and Allen hasn't won a
game all season when trailing after the second period (0-9-2-0). The Americans do not want to be playing from behind again tonight.
- Goalie Logan Neaton was released yesterday. Neaton was acquired from Kalamazoo on December 1 and appeared in one game for the Americans. He took over in relief last Saturday in Fort Wayne after Allen fell behind 4-0 nine minutes into the game. Neaton played the final 51 minutes giving up four goals on 29 shots.
- You should see two new players on the ice tonight for the Americans, forward Nick Isaacson (#9) and goalie Luke Richardson (#33). Here are their player profiles:
NICK ISAACSON
 |
| Nick Isaacson |
Nick is a 25 year old, 6'3", 205 pound left shot forward who is in his fourth year as a professional. He played his junior career in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League). He played 224 games in his OHL career and totaled 82 points (32G, 50A) with 147 penalty minutes.
Since turning pro in 2021-22 Nick has played for four different ECHL teams before arriving in Allen (South Carolina, Maine, Jacksonville and Cincinnati). He has played in 114 games and tallied 40 points (19G, 21A) with 167 penalty minutes.
What will Isaacson bring to the Americans? The short answer is a physical presence, something Allen needs more of on the roster. He is a big body that has a physical presence and goes to the front of the net. He is a little older, more rugged and is hard to play against.
Here is a recent interview with Nick just before training camp started in Cincinnati. It is ironic how the optimism of having Toronto as the Cyclones new affiliate has turned out. If you watch this interview all the way through you will learn about Nick's interests off the ice and what you can expect he will bring to the ice for the Americans.
.
LUKE RICHARDSON
 |
| Luke Richardson |
Luke is a 25 year old, 6'3", 170 pound goalie who catches left. He played his junior hockey in the OHL (Kitchener Rangers) and then played four years for Queens University (Kingston, Ontario). He finished his collegiate career in 2022-23. He has played sparingly as a pro with great results. He was acquired from Wheeling for future considerations. He was playing behind two NHL contracted goalies in Wheeling. In his one start in Wheeling he gave up one goal and stopped 19 of 20 shots for a .950 save percentage. Here are his stats from juniors, college and the ECHL:
- OHL - 112 games, 3.45 GAA, .893 save percentage
- Queens University - 69 games, 2.47 GAA, .911 save percentage
- ECHL - 15 games, 1.99 GAA, .935 save percentage
After Luke finished his collegiate career in 2022-23 he signed a tryout contract (PTO) with the AHL Belleville Senators. He was one of 10 goalies that played in at least one game for Belleville that season. Luke played in three games right out of college, totaled 150 minutes with a GAA of 3.99 and a .873 save percentage. The only videos I could find on YouTube of Luke were not interviews. One is a warmup video from his brief time in Belleville. The other is a video of his top five saves when he was playing junior hockey in the OHL:
OTHER COMMENTS
- If you are an ECHL hockey fan and have a subscription to FloHockey it will be a big weekend with some outstanding match-ups.
- #1 Toledo (Central Division) vs #1 Wheeling (North Division) play a home and home series.
- #1 Florida vs #2 South Carolina in the South Division start a two game series in Florida.
- #2 Kansas City vs #3 Tulsa in the Mountain Division start a two game home and home series.
- #2 Trois Riviéres (.775) vs #3 (.761) in the North Division start a three game series in Norfolk.
There are 12 games on the schedule tonight. Here are the previews for all of them: https://echl.com/news/2024/12/echl-today-dec-20
- If you regularly comment on the blog you may have noticed I have started to delete more comments recently. I had hoped not to address this issue again, but feel it is necessary.
For those of you that have been following the
blog for a long time you know I have always considered it a safe place
for everyone to share their opinions about everything Allen Americans
both good and bad. The only posts I delete are personal attacks and even
then I have let a
lot go. I will be the first to admit I have been inconsistent in the
comments I have deleted. From my point of view some of the comments have
gotten out of hand over the last couple of months. Criticism is fine but
name calling and personal attacks are not okay with me.
My blog has always been 95% about the on ice product. I have stayed away from, for the most part, topics related to the business operations/front office. However, the comments on the blog have become more and more about the business operations side of the organization. I spend enough time researching, writing, interviewing, talking to sources, players, coaches and communicating with fans. I don't want to add hours as the comment police to my duties as it is no fun.
Some have
suggested to me I block those that make comments anonymously, but I
understand some of you don't want your name out in the public. It does
make it impossible to tell if certain comments are the view of many
readers, or as I expect, a handful of anonymous authors are posting the
majority of the negative comments and they do so repeatedly. I don't plan on requiring an author's
name to post a comment. However, it would be nice if
everyone created an author "handle" as some of you have done.
What
I would ask is you keep your comments in the blog more about the on ice
product than the business operations. Team president, Jonny Mydra, has repeatedly offered to talk directly to any of you about any concerns, suggestions or questions you might have have. That offer still stands. You can email Jonny at jm@allenamericans.com to share your feedback, ask questions or make suggestions or ask him to give you a call to discuss. I find it ironic that after the many concerns articulated in the comments section of the blog, not a single one of you have chosen to reach out to the team President to discuss.
From this point forward, I will be deleting many more comments than I have in the past. I realize it is a slippery slope when I am the one deciding which adjectives I don't like and what I think is a personal attack. Criticism is fine, but I ask you to keep it based on facts and without the attacks. There are many talented and knowledgeable commenters on the blog that have valuable information that is great to share with all of us. Unfortunately the repetitive negative comments are drowning out all the valuable information. As the official blogger for the Americans I do not scoop the team before announcements are made public. Commenters don't have that restriction so they provide a service to all blog readers.
In case there are any questions, I want to reiterate what I have said in the past. The Allen Americans have never asked my to change anything I have included in the blog or delete any comments with the exception of two times. One time I reported about a new franchise that had been approved and got a call to ask I delete it from the blog post, which I did. The request actually came from the ECHL league office througgh the Americans. The other request was to delete comments after commenters started impersonating current and former coaches and front office staff, which is totally inappropriate.
I hope the blog comments can still be a place for an active dialogue no matter your opinion. Thanks, Barry
DID YOU KNOW: I found the ECHL Stats post today very interesting. It is pretty clear there are more top teams in the Eastern Conference and bottom teams in the Western Conference.
Good blog today. Maybe Myra should hold a STH meeting after a game. I know people like to go to those and a personal interaction is better as things can get lost over email. Also I’m sure he’s not happy with the on ice product and it would be good to hear management POV. Because to the STH it seems they are content with the sub par performances of the coaches and players.
ReplyDeleteI’m also convinced at this point they are trying to destroy the fan base to justify a move of the team
DeleteThen send him an email and ask to set that up. It's not Barry job to do that.....They are not trying to move the team. Every team will go through seasons like this every team...
DeleteEvery team… that’s funny please enlighten us with one that has gone through this mess….eagerly waiting.
DeleteLJ should be the one speaking to fans @ this point. Obviously, attendance is coming down and I would imagine income as well. It seems we are in this position because of a complete disconnect there. She’s the only one who can make changes.
Delete^^^ LJ and Myles. Remember Myles told Chad his job was safe, only to do a 180 2 weeks later and fire him. Well, Myles didn't fire him, he had JM do it.
DeleteMyles needs to fire BJ and Ferguson.
DeleteWhen he does this, he needs to communicate to all STH with a genuine, direct letter/email outlining the mistakes made and the commitment going forward.
We would all probably go "ok, he cares, he made a mistake, didn't need to happen, but ok, lets move forward and bring another championship to Allen".
There was no basis, whatsoever to fire Chad Costello or Aaron Gens.
I mean Chad and Gen’s struggled also… this is not new the last 3 seasons. Chad wasn’t doing the job either.
DeleteI have seen teams across the country move, leave due to lack of attendance because it’s unsustainable. So to be delusional enough to think they wouldn’t/won’t or are thinking about it is a fools errand. The best way to tank attendance is to to tank a team. I witnessed Myles Jack do the coin toss for the Renegades in Arlington with Arlington officials. Why? Expand the fan base? No one from Arlington is coming to Allen to watch the Americans. But meeting with Arlington city council and exploring alternate locations…. 100% likely. Also I didn’t ask Barry to schedule it or arrange the event. I’m sure the Pres knows his fan base is disgusted, if he cared he would take the initiative to show up for a STH presser after another loss. I don’t think he has the guts or chops for it tbh. I mean what could he say or how could he justify what we are seeing? No way he comes out and takes a mea culpa, and says my bad…
Delete^^^ ..... makes you wonder.
DeleteCostello had momentum, trust and respect.
DeleteHe dealt with injuries and we should not have made the playoffs last season. We should have also won game 1 in Idaho.
Trust and Respect was not only from players, but from other clubs, and other AHL clubs.
Any suggestion Chad wasn't doing the job tells me you have your head in the sand or don't read the blog and understand what happened last season.
"I mean Chad and Gen’s struggled also… this is not new the last 3 seasons. Chad wasn’t doing the job either."
DeleteSeriously - if this is how you really "think" on the subject you are not worth even speaking to... Go buy a clue please
Great job Barry. I agree some of the comments are not needed on this blog. Keep up the good work. The true fans appreciate you and what you do.
ReplyDeleteYou’re the best Barry. As someone with limited first hand experience I can attest to the time, effort and dedication needed to put together each post. You do it without complaint and with total professionalism. Your blog is the only place where I can feel I am getting unbiased information about the team. I grow weary of all the “anonymous” commenters with the same broken record comments and completely agree that editing them is a task that only adds to the time and effort needed to produce a quality product such as yours. You should not have to do this, yet you do it with dignity. Your blog was never intended to be the forum it has become. There are a number of social media sites for fans to express their opinions (although they do require a name be attached to the posts/comments). Keep up the good work - If you ever decided to discontinue the blog, I, along with countless other fans would be without one of the only sources we have where we can trust the information given.
ReplyDeleteTed, agree with just about all of your comments.
DeleteIn the last 10 years, there has also never been events and change like there has been in the past 6 months.
The fans are angry, perhaps you are not.
If you are a STH, then you renewed in advance, paid your money in advance, then found out all this change happened, and quite frankly, the on ice product is pathetic today. To those commenting on comparisons to last season, give it another 30 days.
Things are not good, the blog would be lucky to get 5 comments a season or two ago. Historical comment records have been set in the past 6 months. This isn't driven by 5 people, it's driven by a loyal fan base, including yourself, you have posted their frustration.
Attacks on Tommy should stop.
Criticize BJ and Ferguson - we should have that ability.
Criticize the on ice product - we should have that ability.
Criticize bonehead executive decisions - we should have the ability.
Some people need to pull their heads in, but this isn't a communist country.
Awww poor Tommy 🤣🤣🤣
DeleteCriticize the person talking about the on ice product- we should have that ability too
DeleteNah. Tommy H should not be criticized. He does a decent job. Doesn’t help him BJ won’t do interviews.
DeleteYes - I have been STH for last 14 years with various involvement with team and prior management. I am not necessarily angry but damn sure frustrated with both the on ice product and off ice ownership. I think Jonny meeting with STH’s post game is an excellent idea. He is one of the few that will talk straight and has knowledge of how a team should be managed
DeleteThat last comment was mine
DeleteI'll get LJ on the phone to listen if she's not at the game.
DeleteI have her number.
BJ doesn’t want to talk to Tommy, hmmm it’s obvious why
DeleteIn all fairness, I have posted as a long time STH and yes I am beyond frustrated that something that was working and being developed was destroyed overnight with zero regard or understanding of anything, it was done at the behest and guidance of Joe Ernst.
ReplyDeleteAll of my comments are above board and respectful.
Should I continue to ask LJ and Myles to make decisions instead of seeing what appears to be zero action? I feel I can and should. These decisions made, and lack of visible decisions right now, have a high correlation to the on ice product. I pay very good money for the experience. I expect more from the executive team for what I pay, and the years I have supported the team. That's fair in my mind, perhaps I am biased, but I voluntarily part with my money for an experience. If the experience fails, or I lose interest in it, I take my money and don't come back. I am pretty sure the club is trying to avoid that, hence the desire for them to be better and effect change.
The decisions since late May have been nothing short of terrible, with continuing ramifications, to which never needed to happen. I do have the faith and confidence that LJ and Myles must at least be aware of this. If they didn't click on the blog or read the comments, then we have much bigger problems.
There are problems, we are about to lose many more games, the fans have a right, respectfully, to be frustrated.
Reaching out to JM, whilst I had considered that, the facts are JM has been stripped of some decisions, and clearly this falls to LJ and Myles. There are comments that JM wants to move up in hockey, some allege he has an offer in hand from an NHL team, the reality is that people are not reaching out because they have collectively formed the opinion JM cannot effect change. If this is incorrect, please let us know.
I doubt the volume of comments comes from a small group because I had never posted until this offseason, having read the blog for years and years. It's a general frustration seeing something destroyed.
Blind Freddy can see the decimation.
My final comment is our majority owners (LJ and Myles) need to make decisions today as to the future of the club. Hopefully Myles understands today firing Costello and the effect of that on players and fans, was clearly the wrong decision.
Go Red!
I’ve posted also. My comments have been non disparaging. I’ve not posted about Tommy. I don’t understand why we can’t vent at the decisions made. I don’t know anyone at the club personally. Looks to me like no one cares. Maybe if they don’t care, I shouldn’t care. We are all fans looking out for the best of the club. This will be my last post if the blog police are out to delete my posts also. I’ve not said anything about name calling, nor personal attacks. If this is the clubs way of silencing fans then see ya, I’m done. You can keep my families tickets.
DeleteHappy to toss my name out here. On ice product has gone downhill. I don’t understand why we let Marco go but then traded for a goalie? There must be more to that but it doesn’t make sense given that Marco was very good when here. Admittedly he’s not a perfect goalie but was solid to very good. But he got ran out of town. Maybe a coach wants his own team? Sure. Yet it can only be selfishness if you run out good players than try to coach up the solid base that was here.
DeleteSolid fans are dwindling and I Can’t help but think this is intentional when there’s nothing but a continued downward spiral. Something has to be done. We love this team and as fans, we need to see that the owners care by working to implement positive change. It’s ok to admit what has happened so far is not working. Let us know what the next positive moves are. A new coach would be nice if BJ can’t right the ship anytime soon.
And yes, if the censorship police are out and nitpick every comment and assume negative intent with every word, then that’s a rough world to live in.
I have more than 2 seats and would like to renew but it’s tough to spend my families limited Money if the team keep going downward and nothing is done to improve the team. Not a threat but reality my of a world with limited paychecks.
To be fair, I actually saw an Americans commercial on a streaming network I frequent. Good for them for getting the word out…but it’s almost all footage of last years players when we won a lot more games. Still, glad they’re advertising but make sure to put better progress in winning or it’s ok for naught.
Go Red!
OK, Keith isn't my real name, nor is Finkelstein, and I'm not the fourth, but you asked for a name and this is what I did.
DeleteI echo the above comments. 3 tickets for my family, 8 additional for immediate friends/family. We represent 11 tickets/STH. We will decide in the next 30 days as to renewing because that's the pressure put on us by the team.
In my world, it's simple, if the on ice product doesn't improve and I don't see change from ownership, then that's 11 tickets that will go into the pool for others next season. Heck they may even be given away free next season.
As posted above, if they don't care, then I don't care.
Marco was let go because BJ told him one thing, executed on another, and this created a personality conflict. Marco couldn't trust BJ .... trust issues exist in the locker room.
DeleteBJ has been horrible as a GM. Zero clues.
If Myles is a hockey junkie as claimed, he will have seen this also. Time to execute before things get worse.
lol no way he’s a hockey junkie… a hockey Junkie doesn’t allow this…
Delete3 STH here and we’d burn the tickets if paper and send the remnants to the club. Destroyed something good.
Delete2 STH here, 9 seasons straight. Already canceled and will not renew. I'm a loyal fan when the team had its slumps. Willful destruction of the team, that's a no from me dog. I vote with my wallet.
DeleteSorry - I call a spade a spade and respond to personal attacks so delete away Barry - won't hurt my feelings
DeleteCONTRACTED PLAYERS RELEASED (eligible for waivers/waiver claims):
ReplyDeleteAllen:
Rylan Van Unen, F
Allen:
Deleteadd Nick Isaacson, F acquired from Cincinnati 12/18
add Ayodele Adeniye, D activated from reserve
delete Mike Van Unen, D placed on 14-day injured reserve
The Van Unen brothers have said see ya to BJ.
ReplyDeleteThey are done with this mess.
not the first and wont be the last .....
DeleteBJ trading away the roster he put together.
DeleteShould have simply made calls to players on last seasons roster.
That being said, Myles should never have fired Chad.
Knew they both sucked when they were signed - we are now in the churning garbage mode...
DeleteHe didn't fire him. He had Mydra and KSG fire him.
DeleteThat after he told him he had his back.
C'mon Myles. Step up.
Change is needed.
You have Costy's number.
Glad to see Ayodele Adeniye activated
ReplyDeleteWill really give us an advantage in that very important "standing around the ice clueless" position
🤣
DeleteHe saw your message Dave, hence the on ice fight! He was throwing haymakers. He went crazy ….
DeleteBarry, I appreciate your insight and I’m sorry you have to continue to address these commenters. Quite frankly I wouldn’t blame you if you simply stopped allowing comments. Let folks find another forum to post their “opinions”.
ReplyDeleteExactly which comments do you not approve of Scott Dodes?
DeleteScott has left the building folks.
DeleteYet another misguided person.
🙄🤡
Playing ads over the national anthem again!!
ReplyDeleteIf he would’ve been on time to start the broadcast then he probably wouldn’t have to play those ads over it
ReplyDeleteWhat Tommy late to broadcast, shocking (said no one)
DeleteIt’s not hard not to talk or do ads during the anthem EVERY other team shows the respect
Isn’t Classic of Texoma a sponsor? Maybe they could’ve used some trucks to pick up all the teddy bears. Naw.. that would be a sales bonus to keep a long time sponsorship happy.
ReplyDelete& there’s the car after the fact.
DeleteThe people who can’t post appropriately forget this is Barry’ blog and he can run it as he wishes. Since they can only post the same old, tired comments day after day it’s apparent they are not sharp enough to grasp that concept. Perhaps one of them will start the Allen Americans Whiner’s blog and they can go there to post? That would be a wealth of hockey knowledge.
ReplyDeleteSays the guy who ignores Barry’s request to use a name…CLASSIC!
DeleteEnjoying tonight’s game Karen?
Bro you’re kidding right?
DeleteYou’re a joker.
Shut up tissue boy
DeleteSays the guy who immediately responds with name calling? CLASSIC
ReplyDeleteAwww Did your feelings get hurt? So - enjoying the game?
DeleteWho the hell are you even trying to reply to. Why can people not reply to the right comments?! Like holy shit
DeleteNope, my feelings weren’t hurt, I didn’t even post that. Just pointing out your hypocrisy.
ReplyDeleteGotta get a new coach Jesus like asap
ReplyDeleteNeed to give Brassard an assist on that EN'er
ReplyDeleteFire BJ:
ReplyDeleteEmbarrassing set of losses.
Getting worse.
Wake up Myles.
The losing streak reaches 8 games
ReplyDeleteDelete Bj!!! Seriously
ReplyDeleteMmMmM BJ gewd coach everyone else stupid MmMmM… in other news: another game, another beating. It’s all okay though, MmMmM BJ.
ReplyDeleteAnother franchise record.. 8 losses in a row. What’s worse than a dumpster fire? We are at that level now. Only bright spot tonight was Teddy Bear toss & Richardson.
ReplyDeleteReleased: BJ Adams
ReplyDeleteSigned: Chad Costello 🤞🏻😁
Your deletion criteria is flawed. You sometimes delete valid posts that do not attack persons yet leave up posts that are doing exactly that. Some that question ownership are permitted but then others that are on ice or ownership that affects on ice are deleted. Others that are outright nasty stay yet other valid comments that infringe no one are removed.
ReplyDeleteFront office doesn’t respond. Some have tried to reach JM. Ownership actions do impact on ice and questions are fsir or should be.
If not, then remove all post capabilities until things settle down in Allen. Actually that is what is needed. You post the great blog updates and remove all of our ability for us to post. That way we get back to hockey and the valuable contributions you make for all of us. Even if we are horribly dissatisfied with the mess that had been created the past 18 months. It started far before May 2024.
When and how did it start - got to hear this!
Delete🤔 the fan base began its frustration and anger at the firing of Costello. Every decision since, from player trades, who wasn’t called by BJ, questionable signings, on ice product and results, BJ being on his own agenda with little communication, the shitshow that is ZAWYER/REV, Little Joe Ernst still being involved …. Just to name a few.
DeleteWake up, there are always issues, but none like the offseason decisions that have infuriated and lost a fan base.
Myles please move on from BJ.
ReplyDeleteThis simply is not working out.
The locker room is lost.
Some of you keep posting bring back Costello over and over. Do you realize that will never, ever happen!?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your opinion - duly noted
DeleteOutside of Chad likely never trusting Myles and LJ again, walk me through your reasoning.
DeleteChad in two seasons after being thrust into the role with zero experience quite frankly over performed. There was no sound basis for his termination in my opinion.
Longevity is needed in this league, not churn and burn. That being said, BJ, Video Guy and Joe Ernst need to be removed from the club immediately.
Rapid City has gone to OT the past 2 nights (probably bc of their coach ;)
ReplyDeleteNow we are tied with them. How ironically funny is that lol.
Go Chad go!!!
👍🏻💪🏻😁
DeleteGo Chad!
Go RC!
BJ Adams placed on the 14 day IR
ReplyDeleteFerguson placed on the 14 day IR
🤞🏻
Joe Ernst - suspended by team
Delete😁
Watching a replay of the game now.
ReplyDeleteHow do we have no pregame show before the game. This really shouldn’t be that hard.
No interview with any player.
No interview with coaches.
No interview with JM.
C’mon folks. Let’s get this working.
Bc Tommy doesn’t take his job seriously
DeleteJM needs to set the agenda and expectation.
DeleteTommy needs to step it up, and I like Tommy as a broadcaster.
I don't call anyone names but I do complain about the lack of responsibility and intelligence of some decisions. These are not my decisions to make but I don't have to remain silent when they appear to be made out of spite or ignorance, just like I don't have to remain silent when they are decisions to be celebrated. That being said, my 4 season tickets, which I have held for 12 years now, have been held through slumps, ownership changes, good times and bad. However, as of this moment, they will not be renewed..... not because of a bad season or a record-setting losing streak, but because of ownership and the decisions they have made with the attitude of 'it's none of your business'. The attitude of 'you know nothing and I know everything'. The lack of transparency..... stand up and explain some of these decisions instead of hiding behind a curtain or suite door... or at this point, even show up tot he games (how long has it been since LJ/MJ have been in attendance?). They have appeared to have complete decimation of this franchise in mind, with a complete erasure of its history, so my cancellation will help them toward that end. Once cancelled and I lose my great seats, no decisions in the future will bring me back, once I leave I don't return. Like I said, as of this moment... if I see no changes and a straight-line continuation down the path we have been on, then my seats will be available to be used as freebies for giveaways.
ReplyDeleteThere will be NO changes people, Joe Earnest is still calling the shots on hockey operations. BJ answered to him. Joe will be here until the end of the season, even when Zawyer is done in January.
ReplyDeleteWill be longer than this season……
Delete