It didn't take long for the Allen Americans to dispatch the Tulsa Oilers last night before a big crowd of 10,322 at the BOK Center. Three first-period goals and the game was essentially over. The Americans added three more goals in the second period to add insult to injury. The only question remaining was what the final score would be, and whether the team would preserve a shutout for David Tendeck, who was making his first start since December 11. The final score was 6-0.
- Here are some statistical highlights:
- David Tendeck had a 42-shot shutout. It was the second-highest shot total in an ECHL shutout this season.
- Allen's 6-0 shutout was the highest scoring shutout in the ECHL this season.
- Spencer Asuchak scored the game-winning goal. His third game-winning goal in the last four games.
- Chase Maxwell scored his first professional goal.
- Sam Sedley had a goal and an assist to extend his point streak to seven games. It is the longest active point streak in the league.
- Brayden Watts scored a goal to extend his point streak to six games. Watts has scored five goals in the last eight games. His six-game streak is the third longest in the ECHL right now.
- Allen won its fifth straight game. That is the second-longest active streak in the league right now. Toledo leads with six.
- Allen's penalty kill was 0-1 and remains the #1 penalty kill unit in the league at 88.5%.
- Allen swept a series for the first time this season. In the three wins, the Americans outscored Tulsa 16-5.
- Goal scorers for the Americans were Spencer Asuchak (6), Brayden Watts (11), Trevor LeDonne (2), Chase Maxwell (1), Sam Sedley (2), and Danny Katic (9). Harrison Blasidell, Hank Crone, and Michael Gildon each had two assists. Here are the video highlights with all of the goals: https://echl.com/videos/allen-americans-vs-tulsa-oilers-dec-20-2025
- Here is the game recap from the Allen Americans with all the details and several quotes: https://allenamericans.com/news/2025/12/americans-sweep-oilers-with-shutout-victory
COACH'S COMMENTS
I had the opportunity to exchange messages with Coach Martinson after the win last night. Here is what he had to say. The first quote is from the Americans' post-game press release:
"Every line contributed offensively and defensively, and everyone on the team finished a plus. David Tendeck was outstanding in the net. Chris Johansen is doing an outstanding job with our goalies, helping them to maximize their potential."
"I have said all along that when we start getting offensive production from all lines, we will be tough to beat. That is what has been happening during this winning streak."
"It was pretty cool when I looked at the box score after the game and noticed all 18 skaters had a positive plus/minus. That is very rare." (FYI, as a team, Allen was +25 in the game last night. A month ago, the team plus minus was -63. After last night the team plus/minus is +21).
ALLEN VS KANSAS CITY PREVIEW
- After the game last night, Allen had to bus to Kansas City, where they will take on the Mavericks at 4:05 PM CST this afternoon. The Americans are playing their fifth game in four days, with travel to Tulsa and Independence, MO. thrown in for good measure. Meanwhile, Kansas City has played three games in three days, but all have been at home. The game this afternoon will be a gut check for the Americans. The team arrived at their hotel at 3:00 am.
- The game this afternoon will be the third of 10 games between Allen and Kansas City this season. Allen's home opening weekend was against the Mavericks. The Americans lost to Kansas City 4-2 and 4-1. In addition to being outscored 8-3, Allen was outshot 80-48.
- Here is a stats comparison between Allen and Kansas City:
- Goals scored average: Allen (3.3) - Kansas City (3.3)
- Goals allowed average: Allen (3.0) - Kansas City (2.8)
- Shots for average: Allen (31.9) - Kansas City (35.0)
- Shots against average: Allen (37.5) - Kansas City (25.8)
- Power play percentage: Allen (15.6%) - Kansas City (15.9%)
- Penalty kill percentage: Allen (88.5%) - Kansas City (86.6%)
- Record last 10 games: Allen (7-3-0-0) - Kansas City (6-2-1-1)
- Special teams are very close between Allen and Kansas City. They both have mediocre power plays (ranked #22 & #23), but excellent penalty kills (ranked #1 & #3). One thing to watch out for is shorthanded goals. The Mavericks have scored five shorthanded goals and allowed none. Allen has scored one shorthanded goal and allowed three.
- Both teams are excellent when they score first. Allen has scored first in 44% (11 of 25) of its games with a record of 8-1-2-0 (.818). Kansas City has scored first in 56% (11 of 14) of its games with a record of 11-2-1-0 (.821). The first goal will be critical today.
- Kansas City has had the best road record in the ECHL the last three seasons. This season, the Mavericks' road record is 9-1-1-1 (.833). However, they are not as good at home. The Mavericks are 7-6-0-0 (.538) at home this season.
OTHER COMMENTS
- How does Allen's five-game win streak compare to the win streaks in the past? Here are the longest win streaks over the last six years:
- 2025-26 - 5 game win streak
- 2024-25 - 3 game win streak
- 2023-24 - 6 game win streak
- 2022-23 - 4 game win streak (3 times)
- 2021-22 - 5 game win streak
- 2020-21 - 6 game win streak (3 times)
- Here are some other memorable win streaks.
In 2016-17, Allen came from way behind to win the Mountain Division regular season championship. The Americans' record from January 29 to the end of the season was 22-2-2-0 (.885). In addition to an eight-game win streak to end the season, the Americans had a seven-game and a five-game win streak down the stretch. What kept Allen from winning its final 16 games of the season was a 3-2 overtime loss in Kansas City.
In 2014-15, Allen's first season in the ECHL, the Americans had a nine-game win streak and an eight-game win streak on the way to their first Kelly Cup.
- I get asked many questions every day about the possibility of a strike. There is a lot of public information available, and that would be your best source of information. A simple search with your favorite search engine will link you to several stories. From everything I read and hear, no decision has been made to strike, but that could happen after the Christmas break. Will the season continue if there is a strike? Yes, as with any sports league that has a strike, you can expect replacement players to be signed, and the season to continue. Let's hope a strike can be averted.
What a great game! Marty has these boys playing hard. It would suck if they decided to strike and walk away. I'm sure Marty would be able to get good players from Athens though, so we'd still be a good team.
ReplyDeletePeople need to stop talking about replacement players. That isn't happening.
DeleteOf course it is. The league isn't just going to cancel the season. Look at any sports strike ever and they use scab players. You are thinking of a lockout which is not the case here.
DeletePlaying great... covid. Finally playing great again... strike. Hockey must be mad at us!
ReplyDeleteFIRE RYAN CRELIN
ReplyDelete