When things aren't going well teams find all kinds of ways to lose. Allen lost to Worcester last night 5-3 in a game where the Americans outplayed the Railers for the majority of the game. However, a disastrous two minutes and 31 seconds in the first period sealed Allen's fate and created a hill it could not climb. Worcester scored three goals on three consecutive shots from 8:59 to 11:30 of the first period and Allen could never recover. Worcester took a 3-0 lead into the first intermission. Allen's 2-18-2-0 record when trailing after the first period loomed large.
- In the final two periods Allen outshot Worcester 28-20 and outscored them 3-1 before the Railers scored an empty net goal with 10 seconds remaining in the game. Allen was able to cut the Railers 3-0 lead to 3-2 with the only two goals of the second period. Artyum Kulakov scored his fifth goal of the season and Liam Gorman his fourth.
- Allen had to kill 37 seconds of a penalty to start the third period, which it did. The back breaker came when Worcester scored just after the penalty had expired, 48 seconds into the period to take 4-2 lead. Allen cut the lead to 4-3 at the 16:42 mark on Liam Gorman's second goal of the game and fifth of the season, but could not get the equalizer.
- Once again the line that brought the most energy and scored two of the three goals was the fourth line on the lineup card. That has been a misnomer, because the line of Nault-Gorman-Blaisdell has been the top line for the Americans the last few games. Blaisdell had a goal and two assists in his first 28 games this season. In the last four games he has three goals and an assist. Gorman had three goals in his first 43 games this season, last night he had two goals. Allen has been outscored 27-10 in the four straight home losses in the last week. However, this line's combined plus/minus was just -2. The other three lines combined plus/minus in the last four games was -18, -12 and -12.
- Here is the game recap issued by the Worcester Railers:https://railershc.com/news/2025/02/seven-game-road-trip-opens-with-4-3-railers-win
- Here is the game recap issued by the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/news/2025/02/worcester-spoils-americans-valentines-day-party
COACH'S COMMENTS
I had a chance to talk to coach Ferguson after the game. Here is what he had to say:
"We were the better team for 57 minutes of the game. We had a three minute lull that cost us three goals."
"On the fourth goal in the third period we killed the penalty and had a miscommunication coming out of the box. We had two players go to one position and the open guy put the puck in the back of our net."
"It was a great response by the guys after going down 3-0. The never quit and were never out of the fight."
"It was a physical game with a lot of play along the yellow (wall). If you look at a heat map of the game probably 85% of the game was along the yellow. They won a few more of those battles."
"We had a chance to tie the score at the end of the game with a good flurry and grade A opportunities. Gorman's line was excellent again. They bring a lot of energy and they are scoring. If we want to be successful we have to be a four line team."
TONIGHT'S PREVIEW
- First among equals in keys to the game tonight is a good start. Allen does not do well when it has to play from behind. The Americans record when they give up the first goal is 6-17-3-0 (.282). When they trail after the first period their record is 2-18-2-0 (.136) and when they trail after the second period is 2-23-2-1 (.125).
- Both teams were 0-2 on the power play last night. While that is a special teams stalemate, Allen needs to score a power play goal and stop Worcester, who has the top road power play percentage in the league. During Allen's current five game losing streak the power play is 2-15 (13.3%). The opponents power play is 6-21 (28.6%). Allen needs to win the special teams battle tonight.
- The battle along the wall was a problem last night and is a strength of Worcester. Pay attention to those battles to see who is most often winning those puck battles.
- There will be two referees working the game tonight. Sam Heidemann (#22), who was the lone referee last night will be joined by Luke Gagnon (#13) tonight. Would definitely bet the over in more penalties tonight than the four Heidemann called last night.
- Here is the lineup for tonight. The only change from last night is Wells gets the start in goal.
OTHER COMMENTS
- The "Best of the Rest" results last night had Allen and Utah losing while Rapid City extended its point streak to six games (5-0-1-0). Here are the current standings with points out of a playoff spot in parenthesis:
- .447 - Rapid City (16 points)
- .404 - Utah (20 points)
- .362 - Allen (24 points)
- Here are the points earned in the last 10 games for each team in the Mountain Division. Easy to see the teams gaining ground and losing ground. The team's point percentage is in parenthesis:
- 17 points - Kansas City (.707)
- 15 points - Rapid City (.447)
- 13 points - Tulsa (.615)
- 13 points - Wichita (.604)
- 11 points - Tahoe (.646)
- 11 points - Idaho (.585)
- 11 points - Utah (.404)
- 7 points - Allen (.362)
- It is a full schedule in the ECHL tonight with 28 teams in action. All eight teams in the Mountain Division will be playing the same teams as last night:
- Tulsa at Kansas City
- Tahoe at Wichita
- Worcester at Allen
- Maine at Rapid City
- Idaho at Utah
Disappointed to see no comments. I sure hope apathy has not set in. That could be the undoing of the franchise. Com on people, we still need to care. On way or the other. If we fail to care, I hope you like soccer!
ReplyDeleteH
Let’s beat that dead horse some more. Owners suck, AEC sucks, coach sucks. Bring back Marty. Bring back Costello. There, now let’s keep the same, tired BS rolling.
DeleteMight as well - you're keeping the LOSING going - great performance tonight! Finding all sorts of ways to show us what they're made of
DeleteWhat is there to say that hasn’t been said already?
ReplyDeleteGood to see some lessor know players trying to step it up and get some recognition - disappointing to see leaders on this team not
ReplyDeleteMatikka looked pretty good last night. Let’s hope tonight he can get a goal or two, tonight.
ReplyDeleteRichardson looked decent given they had him in reserve for so long. The one time he got caught was his pants down and was way out of the crease and gave up a goal is inexcusable, however.
Defense looked weak last night. Honestly not sure how to improve it but given they are paid to play, they need to figure it out.
Can we just have Maurice as our broadcaster? He does all the interviews and on ice talks and is definitely more knowledgeable about the game.
ReplyDeleteI know of a minimum of 25 fans that would vote for Maurice
DeleteNope.
DeleteMaurice’s skill is color comments. It highlights what he is saying and packs a powerful punch.
DeleteHowever, he misses games and isn’t a presence on away games. Need to be all in to suggest he be elevated.
That last 5 minutes of the game was beyond ugly. Trying to lose?
ReplyDeleteComplete collapse in the final 8 mins. What the heck. That was painful to go through. Thought for sure we’d win being up 3-1. Not even sure what else to say.
ReplyDeleteSetting up for the draft. Oh wait, there is no ECHL draft😧
ReplyDeleteCostello 💪🏻
ReplyDelete8-3-1 last 12 games
Diabolical train wreck decision to fire him.
There we go, beat that dead nag.
DeleteFACTS!
DeleteSeveral on here are obviously starved for attention.
ReplyDelete