It wasn't the worst loss in team history, but it sure felt like it if you endured Allen's 7-0 loss in Idaho last night. It was the seventh time this season the Americans have been shutout and none of them have been pretty. Here is a trip down memory lane:
- 4-0: Kansas City at home (October 25)
- 9-0: Kansas City at home (October 26)
- 4-0: Tulsa at home (November 9)
- 6-0: Indy on the road (December 13)
- 5-0: Tulsa on the road (February 2)
- 4-0: Jacksonville at home (March 7)
- 7-0: Idaho on the road (March 19)
- The game last night was reminiscent of so many losses this season, it was over early. Allen has scored 37 goals in the first period this season and allowed 79 for a goal differential of -42. Last night Idaho took a 3-0 lead in the first period and never looked back. The Americans lost their fifth straight game and their 17th in the last 18 games.
- This stat captures just how bad the 2024-25 season has been for the Allen Americans. In the 16 year history of the Allen Americans franchise, prior to this season, the team lost a game by six or more goals just eight times. That is eight loses of six or more goals in 15 seasons. Thus far in 2024-25 it has already happened seven times and there are still 12 games to be played. It is possible Allen could lose more games this season by six or more goals than in the entire history of the franchise. Let that sink in. Here is the list of all-time worst losses (6 or more goals) in chronological order:
- 7-0: Idaho - 3/20/25 (away)
- 9-1: Jacksonville - 3/6/25 (home)
- 9-2: Wichita - 2/8/25 (home)
- 8-2: Fort Wayne - 12/14/24 (away)
- 6-0: Indy - 12/13/24 (away)
- 9-0: Kansas City - 10/26/24 (home)
- 8-2: Tulsa - 10/24/24 (away)
- 6-0: Tulsa - 3/10/24 (home)
- 6-0: Atlanta - 10/29/23 (home)
- 8-1: Kansas City - 1/8/22 (home)
- 8-2: Rapid City - 12/3/22 (home)
- 7-0: Wichita - 10/23/21 (home)
- 9-3: Kansas City - 3/18/19 (home)
- 6-0: Kansas City - 3/6/19 (home)
- 8-1: Colorado - 11/14/15 (home)
- Last night Idaho led 3-0 after the first period and improved its record when leading after the first period to 15-0-2-0. The Steelheads led 5-0 after the second period on the way to the 7-0 final. Allen has now given up 250 goals in 60 games for a per game average of 4.17, which is last in the ECHL.
- Not to be outdone by the poor defense, Allen's offense has scored just 17 goals in the last 12 games which is a per game average of 1.42. The Allen offense has now fallen to the worst in the league. The Americans have scored 140 goals in 60 games for a per game average of 2.33.
- If you add the poor defense and poor offense together, Allen's goal differential (goals scored minus goals allowed) is a massive -110. As a comparison, in Allen 's worst season prior to this season, 2018-19, when the Americans finished with the worst record in the ECHL (25-41-4-2, .389) their goal differential was -61 (208 goals scored, 269 goals allowed).
- A big part of Allen's scoring problems is the power play. It has been so long since the Americans have scored a power play goal I double checked my math this morning. It has indeed been 10 games since Allen has scored a power play goal. It was on February 21 in Kansas City and ironically the Americans went 2-3 on the power play in a 6-3 loss to the Mavericks. Here is Allen's power play stats since that game on February 21:
- 0-2: at Kansas City (February 22)
- 0-3: at Tahoe (February 28)
- 0-3: at Tahoe (March 1)
- 0-3: at Tahoe (March 2)
- 0-4: Jacksonville at home (March 6)
- 0-3: Jacksonville at home (March 7)
- 0-7: Jacksonville at home (March 8)
- 0-3: Utah at home (March 16)
- 0-3: at Idaho (March 19)
- 0-31: TOTAL (9 games)
- If for some reason you are interested in the goal by goal detail in the 7-0 loss last night before the 64th straight regular season sold out crowd in Idaho, here is the Steelhead's game recap: https://idahosteelheads.com/news/2025/03/ben-kraws-makes-27-saves-as-steelheads-shutout-americans-7-0
- Here are the video highlights that are more than four minutes long with all of the goals and more: https://echl.com/videos/allen-americans-vs-idaho-steelheads-mar-19-2025
- I had a chance to touch base with coach Ferguson after the game and needless to say he wasn't happy with team's performance. In many of the recent losses coach Ferguson felt Allen outplayed its opponents and the team was in the fight to the end. Last night his comments were more terse:
"We made a couple of bad mistakes in the first period, shooting ourselves in the foot, and the puck ended up in the back of our net."
"We tried to get cute in the offensive zone and they jammed it down our throat".
"Too often we pass up shots in scoring areas to try and make an extra move or extra pass".
"We hung both of our goalies out to dry way too often tonight and that is unacceptable."
"We knew it was going to be a playoff atmosphere given they are fighting for a playoff spot, before a sellout crowd, and we laid an egg, and could never recover."
- The team will practice today and be back in action on Friday and Saturday. Allen will have to play a whole lot better this weekend if they expect to earn any points in Idaho.
- The Americans are quickly running out of time to avoid finishing in last place in the ECHL. There are only three ECHL teams with fewer than 54 points and point percentages below .400. Allen is quickly falling further behind. The Americans saving grace is they play one of the other bottom three teams (Utah) three time next week in Utah. Here are the bottom three standings by points and point percentage with games remaining in parenthesis:
- 48 points, .387 - Utah (10 games)
- 46 points, .383 - Adirondack (12 games)
- 38 points, .317 - Allen (12 games)
OTHER COMMENTS
- Idaho's win last night tightened up the playoff race. The Steelheads closed to within four points of fourth place Wichita, who was idle. Both teams have played 60 games. Wichita is at Rapid City for three games this weekend in a series that you could say is must win for both teams. If Rapid City has any hope of making the playoffs, which is very slim, the Rush must sweep the Thunder. Wichita needs a good performance in Rapid City to hold on to a playoff spot.
- The Mountain Division is the only ECHL division that does not have a team qualified for the playoffs. It is just a matter of time before Kansas City clinches the division title mathematically, but that will happen. The other three playoff spots are still up for grabs. Here are the four teams realistically battling for three playoff spots. Remaining head-to-head games are in parenthesis, a chance for teams to gain or lose positions in the standings quickly.
- 77 points - Tahoe (plays Tulsa twice, Idaho 4 times, Wichita 3 times)
- 76 points - Tulsa (plays Tahoe twice, Wichita and Idaho once)
- 73 points - Wichita (plays Tulsa once, Tahoe 3 times)
- 69 points - Idaho (played Tahoe 4 times, Tulsa once)
- The ECHL Recall/Assignment deadline was at 11:59 pm last night (3/19) and I always get questions on exactly what this means. It has nothing to do with NHL/AHL contracted players going back and forth. What isn't allowed since the deadline has passed is a NHL/AHL team recalling a player from one ECHL team and assigning them to another ECHL team. A good example of this is rookie defensemen Parker Berge, who is under contract with the AHL Ontario Reign. Berge has been assigned to Ontario's ECHL affiliate, Greenville, all season. He leads all ECHL rookie defensemen in points. Because Greenville will not make the playoffs and Ontario has worked with Idaho in the past, Berge was recalled from Greenville and reassigned to Idaho, just two days before the deadline. Playing in his first game for Idaho last night Berge had an assist. He should be a big help in Idaho's effort to make the playoffs. Berge is ranked #7 among all ECHL defensemen in points with 39 (6G, 33A).
- Opposite ends of the spectrum. South Carolina is the hottest team in the ECHL right now with a record in the last 10 games of 9-1-0-0 and an eight game win streak. The coldest team in the ECHL right now is Allen with a record in the last 10 games of 1-8-1-0 and a five game losing streak.
DID YOU KNOW: There have been lots of trades in the ECHL over the past week, most notably 2023 MVP, Hank Crone being traded from Idaho to Norfolk for future considerations. All the trades will end today with the ECHL trade deadline this afternoon (3/20) at 3:00 p.m. EDT.
Allen couldn’t fight their way out of a paper bag!!! Goaltending couldn’t stop a beach ball!!! This team from top to bottom is trash. Sell the team!!! Please!!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely NOT! Selling is not an option in my opinion.
DeleteWhy would you want this team out of Allen? It’s great city, players love it, fans seem to love it (a little too much sometimes). Let’s take a step back and relax, these are the ups & downs that come with sports. You guys should know that.
DeleteI hope the owners have learned that if it's not broke don't try to fix it, they should have never let go of Costello.
ReplyDeleteDoing so has been perhaps the beginning of the end for this team.
After this season I wonder how many season ticket holders will renew for the 25/26 season.
Are things too far gone to recover from? Time will tell, I just hope that the owners aren't blind too these facts
Legit question, you're the HC/GM, you have 5 players to protect for next season, who are your 5? I'll kick things off, in no specific order:
ReplyDelete1. Duarte
2. Gorman
3. Brassard
4. Watts (I'm on the fence here)
5. Kulakov
I'd like to see Wells back, would like to see Gavin have a full season, but both are AHL affiliated.
Kane - he has played excellent 200ft game and brought effort, quickness, and playmaking every game he has played in, although the statistics aren’t there yet. They will come. If you watch the games closely, he has been very good for us.
DeleteWatts is a great piece and still young
DeleteSome of you these negative comments are absurd. #1 this is ECHL hockey, #2 some of the players are still kids or are beginning their families, #3 trust me, they still care and have a passion for the game, these losses impact them much more than they do you guys, and they sure ain’t doing it for the money, so take it easy, #4 most of you guys have never even sniffed high level athletics or know enough to discuss the game or certain players performances, so please refrain #5 some of these takes are so bad, I question if some of you guys really watch the game with intent or just with the hopes of a negative reaction. Do better. Go Americans.
ReplyDeleteExactly!!!
DeleteContracts in the ECHL are essentially week to week, and no more than a season if a SPC is signed. No loyalty by anyone other than a max of a season at a time.
DeletePlayers will need to be protected if we want their rights next season. Happens every year. Nothing wrong in the above post about players to protect. I am not the poster.
You don't like my negative comments?
DeleteNot about the protected post just all of these posts in general over the past few months
DeleteWhat's wrong with all the negative posts over the past few months? Are you upset people are not happy and want to express it?
DeleteThank you for the clarification as I thought I was watching SPHL hockey
Delete🤣 says the person who probably never played hockey. Oh and if you did please post who you played for and your stats and source where they can be looked up and confirmed Yea we will wait. lol
ReplyDeleteTrust me, I played at a high enough level and watch enough of these games with actual intent. You guys are brutal with the takes - and you can just tell by reading someone’s insights whether they played or not. The point is, you support your players, city, and team no matter what.
ReplyDeleteTrust you? Like I trust current ownership. I looked up Anonymous in Elite Prospects and couldn't find you. Why?
DeleteActual intent? WTF is that?
Go back to school and learn what actual intent is. 🤭
DeleteThe actual intent of a franchise is making money
DeleteThe actual intent of a fan that helps the franchise make money is to win
Your actual intent is to hide the fact you like wearing your wife's panties
We are all on different pages MRS I played high school tennis
To me the issue is simply lack of talent, We get good scoring opportunities but can’t convert, Similar opportunities are converted by our better opponents. As a result we find ourselves behind 2-0 or 3-0 whereas a goal conversion would make it a 2-1 or 3-1 game. Once we are down by 2 or 3 goals after the first period the “here we go again” syndrome sets in.
ReplyDeleteIn other words - WE SUCK
ReplyDeleteMemphis Dave again posting anonymously.
ReplyDeleteHis posts are way too obvious.
Has provided valuable insight to historic seasons, has now gone crazy as a deranged former fan. Either get on board or don't, but enough of the repeated over the top and sometimes abusive comments.
He's anonymous just like you and just like me
DeleteAnonymousMarch 21, 2025 at 8:39 AM
DeleteMemphis Dave again posting anonymously.
TOO FUNNY
It is NOT me unless I say it is or I post Anonymously!
Delete