The Allen Americans beat the Rapid City Rush 6-3 last night in a thriller. Allen had to battle back from a 2-0 deficit in the first period and a 3-2 deficit after the second period. Last season, Allen's record when trailing after the second period was 2-41-2-2. The Americans have already matched the wins from last season, and they are now 2-2-1-0 when trailing after the second period.
- When Rapid City scored just 88 seconds after the opening puck drop and took a 2-0 lead at the 8:06 mark of the first period, my thought was the Saturday night, big crowd (5790), specialty jersey (military appreciation) curse was in full effect yet again. The team had no part of the curse and scored twice in just over two minutes (9:28 & 11:50) to tie the score 2-2, which was how the first period ended.
- Rapid City scored the only goal of the second period to take a 3-2 lead, and the goal came with just 33 seconds left in the period. Have to admit the curse thoughts crept back in. The third period proved the Americans were not going to be denied. Allen tied the score 3-3 on a laser shot from Andre Anania that beat the goalie short side in the upper corner of the net. Brad Morrison assisted on the goal to complete his Gordie Howe hat trick.
- Harrison Blaisdell took over the scoring after Allen tied the score 3-3 at the 7:28 mark. Blaisdell scored the rare pure hat trick with a trifecta of goals, scoring Allen's first shorthanded goal of the season at 11:57, an empty net goal at 19:14, and an empty net power play goal at 9:47 to make the final score 6-3.
- Here are some other stats and thoughts:
- Allen flipped the script on power plays. The Americans gave up just two power plays, and they killed both.
- After going 0-7 in the first two games of the series, Allen was 2-6 last night on the power play.
- Allen's penalty kill is now ranked #5 in the ECHL at 88.9%.
- History was made in this game. A Gordie Howe hat trick (Brad Morrison) and a pure hat trick (Harrison Blaisdell) have never happened in the same game in franchise history.
- Allen reached 40 shots last night for the second time in the series.
- Not sure what the hit totals were for the game or the series, but they heavily favored the Americans.
- Allen earned five of six points in the series to raise its record to 3-2-1-0 (.583).
- I spent some time with the coaches after the game. They were obviously pleased with the outcome and how everyone contributed to the victory, the special team numbers, and the impact Allen's physicality had on the series. I have learned from the past and saw again last night, it doesn't take Steve Martinson long to go from celebrating victory to focusing on what he can do to make things better. From roster changes to practice drills to video, getting better each day is his building block approach. He says often he doesn't talk about championships, he talks about how the team can win the next game.
By the way, Martinson feels strongly after reviewing the play, the Rapid City goal that was initially disallowed and then overturned after video review was goalie interference. His exact quote was, "I believe it was not a good goal and I will seek clarification as to why it was."
Martinson also reiterated that he is bringing in an experienced forward next week who is a proven goal scorer and tough to play against. I wouldn't expect to see him in the lineup on Wednesday morning.
- Here are the game recaps from both teams, plus the video highlights:
OTHER COMMENTS
- The Mountain Division tightened up again after the results last night. It is by far the most competitive division in the league. Here are the point percentages for the first and last-place teams in each division, with the difference:
South
1.000 - Atlanta
.167 - Orlando
.833 - Difference
North
.917 - Reading
.250 - Worcester
.667 - Difference
Central
.833 - Fort Wayne
.250 - Kalamazoo
.583 - Difference
Mountain
.625 - Tahoe
.429 - Rapid City & Tulsa
.196 - Difference
- Here are the point percentages for the Mountain Division:
- .625 - Tahoe
- .583 - Allen
- .583 - Wichita
- .571 - Kansas City
- .500 - Idaho
- .438 - Utah
- .429 - Tulsa
- .429 - Rapid City
- Next week, Allen takes on Wichita at home on Wednesday and then hits the road for two games in Tulsa on Friday and Sunday. A rare Saturday off in Tulsa between games. The reason for the split games is a concert at the BOK Saturday night. Brandon Lake, a Grammy Award-winning American Christian singer, songwriter, and worship leader, is the artist.
- Atlanta won its fifth straight game last night to retain its bragging rights as the only remaining undefeated team in the ECHL. The Gladiators need two more wins to make the ECHL Guide and Record Book, which shows the top seven teams. The All-time leader is Worcester, who started the season with nine straight wins in 2021-22.
- Half of the military specialty jerseys were auctioned off after the game last night. The other half will be auctioned off online (DASH). Here are the results:
- $750 - Spinozzi
- $700 - Duarte
- $600 - Hargrove
- $600 - Costantini (Marco)
- $500 - Watts
- $475 - Katic
- $475 - Gildon
- $450 - Crone
- $425 - Morrison
- $425 - Caron
- $425 - Biscuit
- $400 - Auschak
- There are six games on the ECHL schedule this afternoon. Wichita at Tulsa is the only Mountain Division game. Another game of interest is Atlanta at home against South Carolina, with Atlanta's undefeated 5-0-0-0 record on the line. Here are all of the previews:
https://echl.com/news/2025/11/echl-today-nov-2
- I have been asked about all of the broken sticks at recent games. The team doesn't keep track of broken sticks on a per-game basis, but did tell me there is variation with different batches of sticks. I will try and get more details and stats related to sticks.
DID YOU KNOW: Here is my ECHL Stats post from this morning:
Three weekends into the ECHL season and three teams still haven’t played a home game. All are off to great starts, ranked in the top six in the ECHL by point percentage:
Reading - #2 (.917)
0-0-0-0: Home
5-0-1-0: Road
0-0-0-0: Home
5-1-0-0: Road
Jacksonville - #6 (.714)
0-0-0-0: Road
5-2-0-0: Home
At the other end of the spectrum is Greenville, which has played six of seven games at home, and is ranked #23:
Greenville - #23 (.429)
1-0-0-0: Road
2-4-0-0: Home
Marty party starting
ReplyDeleteWhen you need a win, play Rapid City or Wichita.
ReplyDeleteLFG Red!
ReplyDeleteTommy - pregame, you can't hear the Marty interview at all. It is drowned out by the in arena noise. Watching the game back on Flo and you can't hear Marty at all. We need to fix this, it's a problem almost every game. We need to be able to mute the in arena noise when playing a prerecorded interview.
ReplyDeleteYes and would be great to have updated/new recordings that aren’t from 5 years ago.
DeleteI hope you know Tommy reads the blog and sees your comments. He’s been there all 17 years. If you don’t like it stop listening to him. It’s that simple.
DeleteAnd we thank him for his service over those 17 years. But If he reads the blog maybe he should start acting on some of the comments / criticisms because they all can't be wrong. The Americans do deserve better.
DeleteAgreed. One constructive post doesn’t enable those who just want to bash. If you don’t buy a ticket to the game, then subscribe to Flo and watch the away call. Stop whining.
DeleteTommy is still doing a good job.
Correction, 16 years
DeleteExactly the point…time for someone new!!! We know he reads the blogs and he’s the one commenting all the positive things about himself lol
DeleteWong. I posted that and I'm not Tommy. But I appreciate that you think the only one that can defend Tommy is himself. In the world today, your concern is TD. Seriously?
DeleteBuy a ticket to the game, others have provided solutions to your problem.
Post dip$hit comments and they will be deleted.
Enough of the hate, this isn't a BJ Adams situation.
Go Red.
I have an idea.
DeleteHow about genius "anonymous" poster take the reigns for a night?
But first, post your name and show your face so we have an accurate picture of the person that will face negative comments, ridicule, laughter and vitriol .....
Bro, keep your thoughts to yourself.
Let's focus on winning on the ice and getting the Marty Party started.
He’s been there since 2009, this is their 17th season
DeleteDang, you are right it is their 17th season. Math sometimes right? Also I think I just mentally blocked that shit show of last season out of my mind.
DeleteEither way, it's time for Tommy to make some changes or time for the Americans to find someone else.
For what it's worth, if I can't make a game in person and have to watch on Flo, I'll either watch the away broadcast or have to mute Tommy because he just doesn't cut it. And that should be a concern for ownership if people are choosing the away broadcast over their own.
Anonymous posted calling out anonymous posters… that’s hysterical
DeleteAgree… time for a new change!!
DeleteThanks for playing kiddos ........
DeleteGoing to be great to have Mcauley back!!! More announcements coming
ReplyDeleteMemphis Dave
ReplyDeleteTissue Boy - which one is still posting?
ReplyDeleteFor any new fans wondering what exacly we meant by "Marty Party" last night was it. Rocking crowd, physical game, lots of goals. Marty has injected so much life onto that ice. The party is just gettijng started. There aint no party like a MARTY PARTY, because a MARTY PARTY dont stop.
ReplyDeleteYES! This is exactly what we are talking about with a Marty Party! Physical play and aggressive style....combined with intelligent hockey plays. This is a Steve Martinson game!
DeleteAwwwww gotta be loving your free tickets lol
DeleteHi Holly! How are you doing? We pay for our tickets…but thanks for playing.
DeleteNot Holly, but try again
DeleteSure whatever you say Holly...lol
DeleteAdd Colby McAuley, F Signed ECHL SPC
ReplyDelete🤣
DeleteBarry, as always you have provided insight on the team and combined statistical data current & historical that no other source offers! I’ll pose this question to you and see if you can offer any insight. When the organization auctions these jerseys are the proceeds donated and if so specifically where? In the past under prior ownership there was the “Red Lamp Foundation” which apparently evaporated its funds like a morning fog.
ReplyDeleteThe jersey auction funds go directly to the team.
DeleteThey are not "donated".
Income on the Americans balance sheet.
I do think the players should get a %, but I am told that's a breach of the CBA and player payments.
The team buys the jerseys from the vendor then resells them via the auction. A handful of teams in minor sports donate proceeds to charity but most use the money to keep operations going. Americans are no different. Very silly to assume any minor league team is swimming in funds to be donating a ton to charity all the time.
DeleteThe term “Marty Party” is about as silly and washed up as that ridiculous chant after we score…it ends with some sort of soccer chant? Maybe? I don’t know…it’s way too long and should be replaced with “hey goalie…you suck!!”
ReplyDeleteJust an opinion…that’s all.
Joe E is that you?
DeleteUmm no…just a regular fan
DeleteWe have an insanely good team being built by Martinson, and even 1/5 of what he has is better than last year.
ReplyDeleteYet half this blog post is about bashing Tommy? Good lord, talk about childish. Focus on the great things going on with the team and stop bashing Tommy. I don’t know him (so don’t ask) but it’s insanely childish for those of you to complain about Tommy. Don’t listen on Mixlr then. If you do, great. No loss if you don’t.
Enjoy what Martinson is building and STFU about Tommy.
👆🏻👍🏻💪🏻👏🏻
DeleteTommy Tommy Tommy
DeleteWhy don't you STFU and let people discuss it if they want
Go Americans!
Because it's the same bunch of goons complaining.
DeletePretty simple, don't listen, you wont have a need to complain.
Pot calling the kettle... Same goons complaining about people complaining about Tommy. If you don't like the comments, don't read them...
DeleteI already don't listen to Tommy because the product is bad. I'm sure there is worse out there, but there is definitely much better also. And if ownership is making all these positive changes, wouldn't this be something they would want to improve also?
Again, thank you Tommy for your 16 seasons of service into this 17th season. But please, if you really do read the blog listen to the criticisms, quit being booty hurt by them, and enact some positive change to improve the product you are putting out for others to hear. Easiest place to start would be to STFU during the National Anthem. You wouldn't talk while standing for the anthem in the stands would you?
You just can't let it go, can you?
DeleteYou can't either apparently.
DeleteLets Go Allen!
Those of you bashing Tommy…Go audition for the streaming announcer job, then. Guarantee you wouldn’t be better.
DeleteI know I'm not better, I definitely don't have the voice for radio.
DeleteThat could be a great idea to hold open auditions though. They almost certainly would find someone that could do it better.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Great away broadcast on FloSports right now!
DeleteJM:
ReplyDeleteSellling STH renewals at an increase on the basis of the AllStar game and then claiming 3 school day games certainly seems like a little bit of bait and switch. That might be a little harsh, but asking STH to pay up in February (in good faith) and then reducing the games a reasonable person could attend (who works) certainly seems disappointing. Just some feedback as you plan ahead for 26-27.
legit comment
DeleteYou bought full season tickets, and just like in baseball, sometimes there are day games you can't make. The team allows you to bank the tickets for future games to bring other people with. most baseball teams don't even allow that. Calling it a bait and switch is mornonic.
DeleteThe team had 2 day games last season. For a fan not to expect 2-3 again after last season after how packed they were is stupid. Not a bait and switch at all.
Delete“Mornonic” …. A moron who can’t spell moronic correctly
DeleteGet home, relax, check in on the blog and it's like BJ Adams days. All hell breaks loose over jersey auctions, school day games and Marty Party comments.
DeleteGood grief people.
You can ad me to the list bothered by this. I don't need extra tickets to other games. I wont be renewing in advance next season.
DeleteShrinkflation!
DeleteMemphis Dave and Tissue boy, no one cares go home to mama!
ReplyDelete