The Allen Americans take on the Idaho Steelheads tonight and tomorrow night at the Allen Event Center (AEC) to finish their season series. The teams played twice in Idaho at the end of November with Allen losing both games (3-2 & 5-2).
- Allen and Idaho are two evenly matched teams that have been playing well. Allen has won their last three games and is 7-2-1-0 in the last 10 games. Idaho has won their last two games and is 5-4-0-1 in the last 10 games. They are tied in the Mountain Division standings with 33 points (Idaho has three games in hand).
- Idaho has not been a good road team as they are 4-5-1-1 on the road but 11-4-1-0 at home. Allen has been good on the road (10-7-1-0) but are only 6-6-0-0 at home. Should make for a couple of interesting games for two teams that had an epic first round playoff battle last season. Let's hope that vibe of winning games six and seven with a dramatic overtime win in game seven returns to the AEC the next two nights.
- It will be a big lift for the team if Zach Hall, Eric Roy or Harrison Ruopp return to the line up tonight. After playing two skaters short in Tulsa on Tuesday it would be nice to have a full contingent tonight. Coach Martinson said it was possible all three could be available but no decision will be made until after pregame skate this morning.
- Here is a comparison between Allen and Idaho:
ALLEN IDAHO
Team Record 16-13-1-0 (33 points) 15-9-2-1 (33 points)
Division Ranking 3rd - Mountain 3rd - Mountain
Conference Ranking 6th - Western 6th - Western
League Ranking 9th 9th
Last Game 6-3 Win (Tulsa) 5-2 Win (Rapid city)
Goals For 98 92
Goals Against 88 84
Power Play 15.0% (19/127) 24.3 (25/103)
Penalty Kill 84.9% (21/139) 83.0% (18/106)
Most PIM's Mathers (131) Dodero (66)
Leading Scorer Costello (15-29-44) Dahl (9-20-29)
Hanson (15-18-33 Luciani (10-14-24)
- Here is how Allen and Idaho rank in the ECHL in some statistical categories:
Penalty Minutes Per Game: Allen 2nd (19.97) - Idaho 6th (17.11)
Goals Scored Per Game: Allen 14th (3.27) - Idaho 9th (3.41)
Goals Allowed Per Game: Allen 9th (2.93) - Idaho 13th (3.11)
Shots For Per Game: Allen 6th (33.20) - Idaho 13th (31.93)
Shots Against Per Game: Allen 21st (33.87) - Idaho 19th (33.00)
Power Play Percentage: Allen 20th (15.0%) - Idaho 2nd (24.3%)
Penalty Kill Percentage: Allen 10th (84.9%) - Idaho 18th (83.0%)
-
As you can see from the stats above Allen and Idaho are evenly matched
with the glaring exception of the power
play and that stat is misleading because the Allen power play has been on fire recently. The Americans power play has scored on their last seven attempts, is 8-13 (61.5%) over the last three games and is 12-42 (28.5%) in
the month of December. In the month of December the Idaho power play is 7-30 (23.3%). As is usually the case special teams will be a key to victory in the two games with Idaho. If the Americans can come anywhere close to their recent performance on special teams there is no reason they can't come away with four points.
- A good start has been a key to the Americans better play over the last month. They won in Tulsa on Tuesday after giving up the first goal of the game but that doesn't happen very often. Allen's record when they score first is 12-2-1-0. In the games where they don't score first their record is 4-11-0-0.
- Here is a preview of the two game series with Idaho from the other side written by the voice of the Steelheads, Brian McCormick. An interesting read: http://www.idahosteelheads.com/blog/steelheads-news/preview-lone-star-series/
- Officials scheduled for the game tonight are referee Chris Pontes
(#2) and linesmen Brian Bull (#49) and Aaron Schacht (#31).
OTHER COMMENTS
- One thing you can't do as the general manager of a hockey team is spend a lot of time second guessing decisions made to trade, release or not sign players. There are so many considerations when making these decisions other than on ice performance. Housing and insurance costs, veteran status, salary demands, injury history/reliability, and being a team player in the locker room are just a few of the considerations other than on ice performance. Then there are the circumstances where you need a certain type of player and you trade a good player to get what you need at the time. While general managers can't spend time following what has happened to players that have moved on, fans often do. I happened to notice that Rick Pinkston scored a goal the last two nights for Manchester and it piqued my interest in how some of the players from last season's championship team that have moved on to other ECHL teams are doing.
Rick Pinkston - Rick was never known as a goal scorer so seeing he scored the last two nights for Manchester got me to looking. Turns out they are his only two goals of the year. Rick has five assists (three from his days in Allen) to go along with the two goals. Rick is on a good team as Manchester is leading the North Division.
Chris Crane - Chris had a total of five goals in his first four games after being traded to Orlando but has been out with an injury since December 3. He has missed the last nine Orlando games. Orlando is in second place in the South Division.
Casey Pierro-Zabotel - Casey is having an outstanding season with Colorado after signing with the Eagles in the off season. He leads the team with 34 points (10 goals 24 assists). He is third in the league in assists. Colorado is in first place in the Mountain Division.
Daniel Doremus - Daniel played 11 games for Allen last season before being recalled by San Jose where he spent the rest of the year. He had three points (1 goal 2 assists) in Allen. This season Doremus is playing in Manchester and is the third leading scorer on the team with 23 points (4 goals 19 assists) in 26 games.
Tristan King - Tristan played in seven games for Allen and had a goal and an assist before being traded to Indy. He has played in eight games for Indy and has not scored a goal. He does have three assists. His plus/minus in Indy is -10. Indy is one of the worst teams in the ECHL and are in last place in the Central Division, fourteen points out of a playoff spot.
Matt Register - Matt is having an outstanding season reminiscent of his Defenseman of the Year performance in 2013-14 with the Ontario Reign. Matt leads all ECHL defensemen in points (28), Assists (20), power play points (11), shots (87) and game winning goals (5). He is second in goals (8), second in power play assists (9), and third is plus/minus (+17). Matt and Pierro-Zabotel are a big reason the Eagles are the second best team in the ECHL with 40 points.
Vincent Arseneau - Arseneau signed in Wichita in the off season but has been plagued by an injury that kept him out of the line up for six weeks. He has been effective when he has played but has only appeared in seven games. He has four goals and three assists in the seven games. Wichita is in fifth place in the Central Division and nine points out of a playoff spot.
J.P. LaFontaine - J.P. is playing in Elmira and his stats are remarkably similar to his time in Allen. Lafontaine played nine games in Allen and had one goal, two assists and was a +5. He has played 10 games in Elmira and has one goal two assists and is a +5. J.P. leads the team in plus/minus. Elmira is in last place in the North Division already 14 points out of a playoff spot.
DID YOU KNOW: I heard a conversation recently about whether it is better to have a good power play or a good penalty kill to succeed in the playoffs. I decided to take a look at the last five Kelly Cup champions to see what their special team stats were during the playoffs in order to determine if that might help answer the question. In all five seasons the Kelly Cup champion had a better power play percentage than their finals opponent. However, in 2016 Wheeling had better penalty kill percentage (84.3% vs 80.2%) than the champion (Allen) and in 2014 Cincinnati had a better penalty kill percentage (89.9% vs 85.5%) than the champion (Alaska). It is not very scientific but in this small sample you could conclude a better power play percentage predicts the Kelly Cup champion 100% of the time but a better penalty kill percentage predicts the champion only 60% of the time. Here are the stats for the last five Kelly Cup champions with their finals opponent's percentage in parenthesis:
Power Play % Penalty Kill %
2016: Allen 27.2% (21.7%) 80.2% (84.3%)
2015: Allen 18.8% (16.7%) 84.8% (79.1%)
2014: Alaska 17.9% (12.8%) 85.5% (89.9%)
2013: Reading 14.3% (8.4%) 84.6% (84.0%)
2012: Florida 18.6% (12.1%) 86.4% (85.9%)
I am sure many of you remember in 2014 Allen won the Central Hockey
League championship by setting a record. The Americans did not score a
single power play goal in the finals against Denver. They were 0-26.
However, for the entire playoffs Allen was 20.6% on the power play
compared to Denver's 17.3% so the theory still holds up. Denver was
94.9% on the penalty kill compared to Allen's 85.5%.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Special Teams Carry Allen to Victory, Highlight Video, Martinson Comments, Mathers Climbing PIM List
It was a special teams bonanza for Allen in Tulsa last night as the Americans beat the Oilers 6-3 before an announced crowd of 5902 at the BOK Center. The Americans came back from deficits of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 largely through the play of their special teams. Three power play goals, a shorthanded goal, an empty net goal and an even strength goal paved the way to victory for the Americans.
- No question the power play was a liability the first part of the season. Remember when the power play had scored 11 goals but given up 8 shorthanded goals? There has certainly been a turn around in the month of December as the power play has become an asset that is winning games for Allen. The Americans power play was 3-3 last night, has scored on their last five attempts, is 8-13 over the last three games and is 12-42 (28.5%) in the month of December. On December 1st the Allen power play was ranked #26 at 8.2%. Today, just nine games later, the power play is #19 at 15.0%.
- The penalty kill has been great recently. The penalty kill was 16-92 (82.6%) at the end of November. During December the penalty kill is 5-47 (89.4%) including 0-4 last night. On December 1st the penalty kill was ranked #16 at 82.6%. As of this morning the penalty kill is ranked #10 at 84.9%.
- The improved special teams play has translated into more goals scored and fewer goals allowed which has translated into more wins. Thus far in the month of December (nine games) Allen is averaging 4.11 goals per game while allowing their opponents 2.44 goals per game. In their last 11 games the Americans record is 8-2-0-1.
- The goal scorers for Allen last night were Bryan Moore (3) on the power play, Spencer Asuchak (11) on the power play, Asuchak (12) on an unassisted shorthanded goal, Chad Costello (14) even strength, Jake Marchment (8) on the power play and Costello (15) unassisted into an empty net. Rather than me describe the goals take a look for yourself. You can see all of the goals plus Derek Mathers making quick work in a fight with former Allen player Reid Halabi. Halabi is not a big guy but is known as a guy that is willing to fight anyone. Not a wise choice to agree to fight Mathers. Derek must know about Halabi as he used Reid's technique of quick short punches to his advantage. Mathers hit Halabi with at least 15 unanswered punches in less than 10 seconds and then threw him to the ice like a rag doll. Here at all of the highlights:
- With the win against Tulsa the Americans are now three games above .500 for the first time all season. Their record is 16-13-1-0 and they are tied with Idaho for third place in the Mountain Division with 33 points though Idaho has three games in hand. Allen and Idaho play on Thursday and Friday at the Allen Event Center.
STEVE MARTINSON'S POST GAME COMMENTS
- The special teams were definitely special tonight! It has been a long time since we have scored four goals off special teams.
- The second power play unit (Steffes, Moore, Marchment with Makowski and Chouinard) made some good plays to end up with two open net goals.
- Spencer Asuchak's shorthanded goal was pretty unique. He made a long poke check to give himself a breakaway and then made a great shot to beat the goalie. It was big to get that goal to tie the score 3-3.
- Zach Hall was sick and with some defensmen out we played two skaters short tonight. It is great to win on the road when you have a short bench. Hall should be good to go on Thursday and there is a possibility Eric Roy and Harrison Ruopp could also be back.
OTHER COMMENTS
- Some streaks of note continued last night. Bryan Moore had a goal in his third straight game. David Makowski had two assists and was a +3. David has a point in four straight games and has not had a minus game since returning to Allen seven games ago. Makowski is +11 in seven games. Greger Hanson had an assist to extend his point scoring streak to seven games. Chad Costello had two goals to extend his point scoring streak to 10 games. Chad now has a five point lead in the ECHL scoring race with 44 points (15 goals 29 assists).
- Spencer Asuchak has a point in nine of the last ten games including a power play goal, shorthanded goal and an assist last night. Spencer is the Allen Americans all time leader in shorthanded goals with eight.
- Riley Gill has won five of his last six starts and has won four in a row on the road. Riley won last night against Tulsa goalie Jamie Phillips. Phillips (16) and Gill (13) are one and two in the league in wins. Phillips leads the league in minutes (1395), saves (652) and shootout wins (3). Riley is third in minutes (1126), second in saves (591) and first in shutouts (3). In the main categories of GAA Riley is #5 at 2.35 and Phillips is #7 at 2.41. Gill is #4 in save percentage (.931) and Phillips is #7 (.921). These are two of the top candidates for Goalie of the Year.
- Derek Mathers has played in only 25 games for the Allen Americans but is already #14 on the single season penalty minute record list. With a league leading 131 penalty minutes he has already passed players such as Liam Huculak, Scott Langdon, Kip Brennan (one of his two years) and Trevor Hendrikx (one of two years). Next up is Darryl Bootland (145 minutes), Kip Brennan (146) and Brett Clouthier (157). Derek still has a ways to go to catch the top three of Garrett Klotz (257), Brett Lyon (256) and Garrett Clarke (223) but he is averaging 5.24 penalty minutes per game and there are 42 games remaining in the season. At his current pace Mathers would break the single season penalty minute record in another 24 games.
- The Americans announced yesterday there would be doubleheader hockey at the AEC on January 21st. There should be plenty of new fans on hand to see Texas A&M take on the University of Texas at 4:05 pm before the Allen Americans play the Wichita Thunder at 7:05 pm. One ticket gets you into both games and there are discounted tickets available. If that isn't enough it is also Star Wars Night. Here is a link to all of the details: http://allenamericans.com/college-hockey-comes-to-allen-event-center-in-january/
DID YOU KNOW: Tulsa scored the first goal last night but the score was tied 2-2 after the first period and Allen had a 4-3 lead after the second period. Based on the past, Allen fans should have known it was almost a guaranteed victory. When tied after the first period the Americans are 8-0 this season. When leading after the second period they are 10-1.
- No question the power play was a liability the first part of the season. Remember when the power play had scored 11 goals but given up 8 shorthanded goals? There has certainly been a turn around in the month of December as the power play has become an asset that is winning games for Allen. The Americans power play was 3-3 last night, has scored on their last five attempts, is 8-13 over the last three games and is 12-42 (28.5%) in the month of December. On December 1st the Allen power play was ranked #26 at 8.2%. Today, just nine games later, the power play is #19 at 15.0%.
- The penalty kill has been great recently. The penalty kill was 16-92 (82.6%) at the end of November. During December the penalty kill is 5-47 (89.4%) including 0-4 last night. On December 1st the penalty kill was ranked #16 at 82.6%. As of this morning the penalty kill is ranked #10 at 84.9%.
- The improved special teams play has translated into more goals scored and fewer goals allowed which has translated into more wins. Thus far in the month of December (nine games) Allen is averaging 4.11 goals per game while allowing their opponents 2.44 goals per game. In their last 11 games the Americans record is 8-2-0-1.
- The goal scorers for Allen last night were Bryan Moore (3) on the power play, Spencer Asuchak (11) on the power play, Asuchak (12) on an unassisted shorthanded goal, Chad Costello (14) even strength, Jake Marchment (8) on the power play and Costello (15) unassisted into an empty net. Rather than me describe the goals take a look for yourself. You can see all of the goals plus Derek Mathers making quick work in a fight with former Allen player Reid Halabi. Halabi is not a big guy but is known as a guy that is willing to fight anyone. Not a wise choice to agree to fight Mathers. Derek must know about Halabi as he used Reid's technique of quick short punches to his advantage. Mathers hit Halabi with at least 15 unanswered punches in less than 10 seconds and then threw him to the ice like a rag doll. Here at all of the highlights:
- With the win against Tulsa the Americans are now three games above .500 for the first time all season. Their record is 16-13-1-0 and they are tied with Idaho for third place in the Mountain Division with 33 points though Idaho has three games in hand. Allen and Idaho play on Thursday and Friday at the Allen Event Center.
STEVE MARTINSON'S POST GAME COMMENTS
- The special teams were definitely special tonight! It has been a long time since we have scored four goals off special teams.
- The second power play unit (Steffes, Moore, Marchment with Makowski and Chouinard) made some good plays to end up with two open net goals.
- Spencer Asuchak's shorthanded goal was pretty unique. He made a long poke check to give himself a breakaway and then made a great shot to beat the goalie. It was big to get that goal to tie the score 3-3.
- Zach Hall was sick and with some defensmen out we played two skaters short tonight. It is great to win on the road when you have a short bench. Hall should be good to go on Thursday and there is a possibility Eric Roy and Harrison Ruopp could also be back.
OTHER COMMENTS
- Some streaks of note continued last night. Bryan Moore had a goal in his third straight game. David Makowski had two assists and was a +3. David has a point in four straight games and has not had a minus game since returning to Allen seven games ago. Makowski is +11 in seven games. Greger Hanson had an assist to extend his point scoring streak to seven games. Chad Costello had two goals to extend his point scoring streak to 10 games. Chad now has a five point lead in the ECHL scoring race with 44 points (15 goals 29 assists).
- Spencer Asuchak has a point in nine of the last ten games including a power play goal, shorthanded goal and an assist last night. Spencer is the Allen Americans all time leader in shorthanded goals with eight.
- Riley Gill has won five of his last six starts and has won four in a row on the road. Riley won last night against Tulsa goalie Jamie Phillips. Phillips (16) and Gill (13) are one and two in the league in wins. Phillips leads the league in minutes (1395), saves (652) and shootout wins (3). Riley is third in minutes (1126), second in saves (591) and first in shutouts (3). In the main categories of GAA Riley is #5 at 2.35 and Phillips is #7 at 2.41. Gill is #4 in save percentage (.931) and Phillips is #7 (.921). These are two of the top candidates for Goalie of the Year.
- Derek Mathers has played in only 25 games for the Allen Americans but is already #14 on the single season penalty minute record list. With a league leading 131 penalty minutes he has already passed players such as Liam Huculak, Scott Langdon, Kip Brennan (one of his two years) and Trevor Hendrikx (one of two years). Next up is Darryl Bootland (145 minutes), Kip Brennan (146) and Brett Clouthier (157). Derek still has a ways to go to catch the top three of Garrett Klotz (257), Brett Lyon (256) and Garrett Clarke (223) but he is averaging 5.24 penalty minutes per game and there are 42 games remaining in the season. At his current pace Mathers would break the single season penalty minute record in another 24 games.
- The Americans announced yesterday there would be doubleheader hockey at the AEC on January 21st. There should be plenty of new fans on hand to see Texas A&M take on the University of Texas at 4:05 pm before the Allen Americans play the Wichita Thunder at 7:05 pm. One ticket gets you into both games and there are discounted tickets available. If that isn't enough it is also Star Wars Night. Here is a link to all of the details: http://allenamericans.com/college-hockey-comes-to-allen-event-center-in-january/
DID YOU KNOW: Tulsa scored the first goal last night but the score was tied 2-2 after the first period and Allen had a 4-3 lead after the second period. Based on the past, Allen fans should have known it was almost a guaranteed victory. When tied after the first period the Americans are 8-0 this season. When leading after the second period they are 10-1.
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Allen vs Tulsa Game Preview, Big December Improvement for Allen, Gill Makes Front Page News
The Allen Americans take on the Tulsa Oilers tonight for the sixth time this season. It will be one of those same day road trips where the Americans travel the 230 miles to Tulsa this afternoon on Big Red, play the game at 7:05 pm and then head right back to Allen after the game. That gets them back to their apartments in the neighborhood of 3:00 am. Welcome to ECHL hockey Allen style.
- Allen and Tulsa will play14 times during the regular season. Allen has the edge in the five games they have played thus far with a record of 3-2. Two of the three wins were in Tulsa, in overtime, including a 1-0 OT victory the last time the Americans played at the BOK Center.
- Allen will be the more rested team as they had an optional light skate (less than half the team showed up) yesterday while Tulsa traveled to Missouri to take on the Mavericks. Tulsa won the game 3-2. The game ended at 9:49 pm last night so by the time the Oilers arrived home it would have been around 4:00 am this morning. Advantage Allen.
- Tulsa will be missing their top goal scorer, Adam Pleskach, tonight as he was placed on the 21 day injured reserve yesterday. Adam hasn't played since the last time the Americans were in Tulsa on November 29th. Pleskach is always one of Tulsa's leading goal scorers. If you remember, the last time the ECHL had a 40 goal scorer was in the 2014-15 and there were three that year. Gary Steffes led the league with 44 goals, Chad Costello and Adam Pleskach had 41.
- Allen is still dealing with their own roster issues especially on defense. Eric Roy, Aaron Gens and Harrison Ruopp did not play in Wichita on Sunday. It remains to be seen if any of the defensemen are back tonight but Allen could be going with five defensemen again. In addition, Kale Kerbashian sustained an upper body injury on Sunday and will not play tonight. Injuries are never a good thing but to me it seemed like Kale was never himself when he returned from his hand injury at the beginning of December. He might have come back to quickly. His current injury isn't related to the prior one so let's hope he can take the time to heal up and when he does return he is 100% and can be the Kerbashian of old.
- So much can happen in a short period of time during a hockey season. Just in the last five weeks Matt Willows, Chris Crane, Mike Brodzinski, Tristan King, Alex Guptill, Jason Fram, J.P. LaFontaine and Rick Pinkston have been traded, released or recalled. Allen has added David Makowski, Bryan Moore, Harrison Ruopp, Zach Hall and Randy Cure. Goalie Jamie Murray was recalled by San Jose for two weeks and the Americans had to go with an EBUG (emergency backup goalie). Add that to all the player movement injuries that kept players out of the lineup for multiple games (Kale Kerbashian, Travis Brown, Dyson Stevenson, Aaron Gens, Mike Gunn, Tristan King, Riley Gill) and you see there have been a lot of moving parts that both coach Martinson and general manager Martinson has been dealing with.
- The good news is with all of the changes the team has started to play better recently. They are 7-2-1-0 in the last ten games and have shown significant improvement in the month of December. The team has gotten tougher and is harder to play against. Some years Allen has had a lion such as Kip Brennan or Garrett Klotz and some years you could describe the team has having no lion but a pack of wolves. This season you could say the team is a combination of both with Derek Mathers leading the league in fighting majors but 13 different players with at least one fighting major. Maybe the best way to describe this team is they are a pride of lions.
- Coach Martinson always describes toughness not in terms of fighting but in terms of finishing checks and dealing with the consequences of the hard checks. If you have a player willing to check anyone on the ice and then fight if necessary, you have a tough player. The tough players are the ones that will finish checks, accept the consequences and also stick up for their teammates.
- How much improvement has there been in the month of December? Here are just a few examples. At the end of November Allen had scored 61 goals and allowed 66 for a differential of -5. In December they have scored 31 goals and allowed 19 for a differential of +12. At the end of November the power play was 7-85 (8.2%). In December the power play is 9-39 (23.1%). The penalty kill was 16-92 (82.6%) at the end of November. During December it is 5-43 (88.3%).
- Here is a match up between Allen and Tulsa:
ALLEN TULSA
Team Record 15-13-1-0 (31 points) 17-10-2-0 (36 points)
Division Ranking 4th - Mountain 2nd - Central
Conference Ranking 8th - Western 3rd - Western
League Ranking 12th 4th
Last Game 4-1 Win (Wichita) 3-2 Win (Missouri)
Goals For 92 82
Goals Against 85 78
Power Play 12.9% (16/124) 9.1% (10/110)
Penalty Kill 84.4% (21/135) 79.6% (12-108)
Most PIM's Mathers (124) Clark (87)
Leading Scorer Costello (13-29-42) Brewer (7-11-18)
Hanson (15-17-32) Pleskach (10-6-16)
- Here is how Allen and Tulsa rank in the ECHL in some statistical categories:
Penalty Minutes Per Game: Allen 2nd (10.14) - Tulsa 8th (14.86)
Goals Scored Per Game: Allen 14th (3.17) - Tulsa 22nd (2.83)
Goals Allowed Per Game: Allen 9th (2.93) - Tulsa 2nd (2.69)
Shots For Per Game: Allen 6th (33.77) - Tulsa 5th (33.45)
Shots Against Per Game: Allen 21st (33.79) - Tulsa 10th (30.69)
Power Play Percentage: Allen 20th (12.9%) - Tulsa 26th (9.1%)
Penalty Kill Percentage; Allen 10th (84.4%) - Tulsa 22nd (79.6%)
- When you look at the special team stats above you will notice Tulsa is one of the few teams with worse percentages than Allen. The Americans have outperformed their season long numbers by a huge amount over the last 10 games so if they continue their recent good work on special teams they should be okay.
- After getting off to a great start this season Tulsa has struggled recently. They are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. The Oilers have lost five straight home games.
- Officials scheduled for the game are referee Mike Sheehan (#11) and linesmen Lucas Bisbee (#72) and Chase Wilkinson (#68).
OTHER COMMENTS
- Rick Gosselin has been a big supporter of the Allen Americans over the years and that support has been invaluable. Rick attended a recent game and interviewed Riley Gill. When I asked Riley how the interview went he said Gosselin seemed real interested in the fact Riley's alma mater, Western Michigan University was playing in the Cotton Bowl. Here is the result of that interview, another great story that is on the front page of the Dallas Morning News today. If you don't get the paper or haven't seen it on social media here is a link to the story: http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2016/12/19/allen-americans-goalie-riley-gill-problem-ticket-cotton-bowl-see-western-michigan-can-fix
- Allen has scored first in nine of their last 10 games and has held opponents scoreless in the first period in nine of the last ten. After tonight the Americans will play 10 of their next 12 games at home. The two road games are back to back in Wichita. The combined record of the teams Allen will play in the next 12 games (Idaho, Wichita, Utah, Indy, Missouri) is 53-62-3-7. Only Idaho has a better record than Allen. If the Americans can continue their recent good play they can make a big move in the standings over the next 12 games while the spend the majority of the next month at home.
- I mentioned yesterday the Toledo Walleye are in a class by themselves this season with a .840 winning percentage which is on record pace. They are averaging 4.48 goals per game, more than a half a goal better than second place Fort Wayne at 3.88. Here are some other interesting stats that should cause concern for the rest of the league. Toledo has scored more goals (112) than any other team in the league, but are one of the better defensive teams as well. They have allowed only 71 goals. Their goal differential is +41. Second place in goal differential is Manchester at +23. No other team is higher than +16. Toledo has the most goals scored in the ECHL by far but doesn't have a single player in the top 15 in scoring. What they do have is balanced scoring with seven players over 20 points.
DID YOU KNOW: It seems like there have been a lot of roster changes already this season as 32 different players have played in a game for Allen. Steve Martinson still has a way to go to reach the 46 different players that played last season. The number for Allen's first year in the ECHL (2014-15) was 41.
- Allen and Tulsa will play14 times during the regular season. Allen has the edge in the five games they have played thus far with a record of 3-2. Two of the three wins were in Tulsa, in overtime, including a 1-0 OT victory the last time the Americans played at the BOK Center.
- Allen will be the more rested team as they had an optional light skate (less than half the team showed up) yesterday while Tulsa traveled to Missouri to take on the Mavericks. Tulsa won the game 3-2. The game ended at 9:49 pm last night so by the time the Oilers arrived home it would have been around 4:00 am this morning. Advantage Allen.
- Tulsa will be missing their top goal scorer, Adam Pleskach, tonight as he was placed on the 21 day injured reserve yesterday. Adam hasn't played since the last time the Americans were in Tulsa on November 29th. Pleskach is always one of Tulsa's leading goal scorers. If you remember, the last time the ECHL had a 40 goal scorer was in the 2014-15 and there were three that year. Gary Steffes led the league with 44 goals, Chad Costello and Adam Pleskach had 41.
- Allen is still dealing with their own roster issues especially on defense. Eric Roy, Aaron Gens and Harrison Ruopp did not play in Wichita on Sunday. It remains to be seen if any of the defensemen are back tonight but Allen could be going with five defensemen again. In addition, Kale Kerbashian sustained an upper body injury on Sunday and will not play tonight. Injuries are never a good thing but to me it seemed like Kale was never himself when he returned from his hand injury at the beginning of December. He might have come back to quickly. His current injury isn't related to the prior one so let's hope he can take the time to heal up and when he does return he is 100% and can be the Kerbashian of old.
- So much can happen in a short period of time during a hockey season. Just in the last five weeks Matt Willows, Chris Crane, Mike Brodzinski, Tristan King, Alex Guptill, Jason Fram, J.P. LaFontaine and Rick Pinkston have been traded, released or recalled. Allen has added David Makowski, Bryan Moore, Harrison Ruopp, Zach Hall and Randy Cure. Goalie Jamie Murray was recalled by San Jose for two weeks and the Americans had to go with an EBUG (emergency backup goalie). Add that to all the player movement injuries that kept players out of the lineup for multiple games (Kale Kerbashian, Travis Brown, Dyson Stevenson, Aaron Gens, Mike Gunn, Tristan King, Riley Gill) and you see there have been a lot of moving parts that both coach Martinson and general manager Martinson has been dealing with.
- The good news is with all of the changes the team has started to play better recently. They are 7-2-1-0 in the last ten games and have shown significant improvement in the month of December. The team has gotten tougher and is harder to play against. Some years Allen has had a lion such as Kip Brennan or Garrett Klotz and some years you could describe the team has having no lion but a pack of wolves. This season you could say the team is a combination of both with Derek Mathers leading the league in fighting majors but 13 different players with at least one fighting major. Maybe the best way to describe this team is they are a pride of lions.
- Coach Martinson always describes toughness not in terms of fighting but in terms of finishing checks and dealing with the consequences of the hard checks. If you have a player willing to check anyone on the ice and then fight if necessary, you have a tough player. The tough players are the ones that will finish checks, accept the consequences and also stick up for their teammates.
- How much improvement has there been in the month of December? Here are just a few examples. At the end of November Allen had scored 61 goals and allowed 66 for a differential of -5. In December they have scored 31 goals and allowed 19 for a differential of +12. At the end of November the power play was 7-85 (8.2%). In December the power play is 9-39 (23.1%). The penalty kill was 16-92 (82.6%) at the end of November. During December it is 5-43 (88.3%).
- Here is a match up between Allen and Tulsa:
ALLEN TULSA
Team Record 15-13-1-0 (31 points) 17-10-2-0 (36 points)
Division Ranking 4th - Mountain 2nd - Central
Conference Ranking 8th - Western 3rd - Western
League Ranking 12th 4th
Last Game 4-1 Win (Wichita) 3-2 Win (Missouri)
Goals For 92 82
Goals Against 85 78
Power Play 12.9% (16/124) 9.1% (10/110)
Penalty Kill 84.4% (21/135) 79.6% (12-108)
Most PIM's Mathers (124) Clark (87)
Leading Scorer Costello (13-29-42) Brewer (7-11-18)
Hanson (15-17-32) Pleskach (10-6-16)
- Here is how Allen and Tulsa rank in the ECHL in some statistical categories:
Penalty Minutes Per Game: Allen 2nd (10.14) - Tulsa 8th (14.86)
Goals Scored Per Game: Allen 14th (3.17) - Tulsa 22nd (2.83)
Goals Allowed Per Game: Allen 9th (2.93) - Tulsa 2nd (2.69)
Shots For Per Game: Allen 6th (33.77) - Tulsa 5th (33.45)
Shots Against Per Game: Allen 21st (33.79) - Tulsa 10th (30.69)
Power Play Percentage: Allen 20th (12.9%) - Tulsa 26th (9.1%)
Penalty Kill Percentage; Allen 10th (84.4%) - Tulsa 22nd (79.6%)
- When you look at the special team stats above you will notice Tulsa is one of the few teams with worse percentages than Allen. The Americans have outperformed their season long numbers by a huge amount over the last 10 games so if they continue their recent good work on special teams they should be okay.
- After getting off to a great start this season Tulsa has struggled recently. They are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. The Oilers have lost five straight home games.
- Officials scheduled for the game are referee Mike Sheehan (#11) and linesmen Lucas Bisbee (#72) and Chase Wilkinson (#68).
OTHER COMMENTS
- Rick Gosselin has been a big supporter of the Allen Americans over the years and that support has been invaluable. Rick attended a recent game and interviewed Riley Gill. When I asked Riley how the interview went he said Gosselin seemed real interested in the fact Riley's alma mater, Western Michigan University was playing in the Cotton Bowl. Here is the result of that interview, another great story that is on the front page of the Dallas Morning News today. If you don't get the paper or haven't seen it on social media here is a link to the story: http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2016/12/19/allen-americans-goalie-riley-gill-problem-ticket-cotton-bowl-see-western-michigan-can-fix
- Allen has scored first in nine of their last 10 games and has held opponents scoreless in the first period in nine of the last ten. After tonight the Americans will play 10 of their next 12 games at home. The two road games are back to back in Wichita. The combined record of the teams Allen will play in the next 12 games (Idaho, Wichita, Utah, Indy, Missouri) is 53-62-3-7. Only Idaho has a better record than Allen. If the Americans can continue their recent good play they can make a big move in the standings over the next 12 games while the spend the majority of the next month at home.
- I mentioned yesterday the Toledo Walleye are in a class by themselves this season with a .840 winning percentage which is on record pace. They are averaging 4.48 goals per game, more than a half a goal better than second place Fort Wayne at 3.88. Here are some other interesting stats that should cause concern for the rest of the league. Toledo has scored more goals (112) than any other team in the league, but are one of the better defensive teams as well. They have allowed only 71 goals. Their goal differential is +41. Second place in goal differential is Manchester at +23. No other team is higher than +16. Toledo has the most goals scored in the ECHL by far but doesn't have a single player in the top 15 in scoring. What they do have is balanced scoring with seven players over 20 points.
DID YOU KNOW: It seems like there have been a lot of roster changes already this season as 32 different players have played in a game for Allen. Steve Martinson still has a way to go to reach the 46 different players that played last season. The number for Allen's first year in the ECHL (2014-15) was 41.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Allen Sweeps Wichita, Details, Quote Roundup From All Angles, Special Teams Excel & More
Don't look now but the Allen Americans team everyone expected at the beginning of the season is starting to emerge. Over the last ten games only three teams (Toledo, Colorado, Reading) have a better record than the 7-2-1-0 Allen has posted.
- Last night Allen completed a weekend sweep of the Wichita Thunder with a 4-1 win before a sparse Sunday crowd of 3215 at INTRUST Bank Arena. The Americans used the same formula that has been responsible for much of their recent success. A good start, special teams excellence, a strong third period and great goaltending.
- After a scoreless first period Allen took a 1-0 lead 46 seconds into the second period on a Greger Hanson power play goal. It was the ninth time in the last 10 games the Americans scored the first goal of the game. It was a good sign as Allen's record when scoring first is 12-2-1-0.
- Allen took the 1-0 lead into the second intermission. The third period was a repeat of the game in Allen on Friday when the Americans scored four goals to put the game away. Last night Allen tallied three third period goals scored by Greger Hanson (15), Chad Costello (13) and Bryan Moore (3). Wichita scored their lone goal in the third period to make the final score 4-1.
- Jamie Murray was outstanding in goal for Allen stopping 42 of 43 shots including many of the quality variety. It was certainly a game that will build confidence and momentum for Jamie going forward. Jamie was selected as the #2 star of the game. I heard the guys on the Thunder pregame show say Steve Martinson had given Wichita a gift by starting Murray over Riley Gill in the game. I guess the gift was a diamond in the rough.
- It seems as if whoever selects the three stars of the game in Wichita doesn't like to give all three stars to the visiting team even if it is well deserved. No quarrel with Greger Hanson getting the #1 star as he had two goals and an assist including the game winner. When you stop 42 of 43 shots, give up only one goal and have a save percentage of .977 the #2 star for Jamie Murray seems appropriate. But I have to take issue with giving the #3 star to a Wichita player over Chad Costello. Yes, the Wichita player scored the only goal for the Thunder but he was -1 for the game. All Chad did was have a part in all four Allen goals with four points (1 goal 3 assists) which is a weeks work for most players. His three assists were all primary assists where Chad made the play that led to a goal. Can't imagine it happens very often that your team wins 4-1, you have a point on all four goals and you don't get a star of the game. C'MON MAN!
- Make sure to go to ECHL Rewind and take a look at the game highlights. Kudos to the Wichita Thunder staff for putting together a great set of highlights that include the goals, some great saves by both goalies and the fisticuffs. A few things to look for when viewing the highlights. Watch for great defensive plays by Spencer Asuchak on the Costello goal and by Chad Costello on the Bryan Moore empty net goal. Spencer and Chad stripped the puck from a Wichita player in both cases. Also take note of the sequence of events just prior to the fight between Jake Marchment and Logan Nelson. Nelson was responsible for an injury to Kale Kerbashian and the Americans were going to make him pay. Here is what I think happened, you look at the replay and tell me if you agree. Derek Mathers is lined up next to Nelson on a faceoff, Marchment is taking the draw. Derek challenges Nelson to a fight but he wisely declines but knows he will have to fight because he injured Kerbashian, so agrees to fight Marchment. Mathers and Marchment swap places, the linesman drops the puck and the fight is on. Finally, look closely at the lone Thunder goal. The Americans thought a Wichita player used his stick to push Murray over on that play. It is hard to tell on the replay but you can see Murray falling over. Here is the link for ECHL Rewind: http://www.echl.com/
QUOTE ROUNDUP
Here are some post game quotes courtesy of Jeffrey Lutz of the Wichita Eagle (Malcolm Cameron quotes), Matt Harding of Team Sin Bin (Greger Hanson quotes), Steve Martinson and the Allen Americans:
"It was good to see the power play get a couple of goals again tonight. The power play was 5-10 this weekend".....Allen coach Steve Martinson
"Jamie Murray was vet strong in net tonight. I thought their guy pushed Murray over with his stick on the one goal Wichita scored.".....Martinson
"At times I thought we passed up good shot opportunities for some low percentage plays but when we started getting pucks to the net it paid off.".....Martinson
"It was good to see new guys like Moore and Marchment respond to the hit on Kerbashian and stick up for their teammate.".....Martinson
"I look forward to getting Harrison Ruopp back in the lineup the next time we play the Thunder.".....Martinson
"We are the most inconsistent team I have ever seen as far as work ethic. I've never seen anything like it, it's crazy. The brain shuts down when you don't work, and you look at the goals we gave up... we used to be a good third period team, but now we're (not) because we don't work.".....Wichita Thunder coach Malcolm Cameron
"We had so many rushes blow up tonight because guys started to coast, guys started to glide. It's my job to figure out who the guys are that are going to be here when it is all said and done.".....Cameron
"We can beat that hockey team. But you've got to work to do it. You can't give a skilled team that many odd man rushes. Our execution today was so poor.".....Cameron
"I thought it was a tight game so it was huge to get those two power play goals. The first one was a one-timer and the second one was off the rush where Chad Costello made a great play.".....#1 star of the game Greger Hanson.
"Chad Costello is smarter that anyone else on the ice so when he has the puck you have to get open and you know you will get the puck if you are open. It is a challenge but if you do it well you know it will pay off. It is a lot of fun.".....Hanson
"I try to not give up any shooting opportunities and it has paid off this year. I can play better defensively but it has been good thus far.".....Hanson
"It was a good win for us. We got great goaltending from Jamie Murray and we made the most of our special teams to get the win. They have a good team over there with a lot of skilled players on their roster.".....Hanson
"Jamie was spectacular tonight. He was playing with a lot of confidence out there and it showed. We have two guys playing great between the pipes right now and that gives us a chance to win every night.".....Allen co-captain Chad Costello.
OTHER COMMENTS
- The summary for the two wins against Wichita this weekend shows why the team is playing better hockey and gaining momentum. Allen has scored 10 goals in the two games while allowing just one in each game. The power play was 50% (5-10) on the weekend. The penalty kill gave up only one goal in 12 opportunities and that was a five-on-three. Allen allowed no first period goals, scored the first goal of the game both nights and outscored Wichita 7-1 in the third period.
- Allen has almost single-handedly dismantled the Wichita power play in the last 10 days . In the four games these teams have played since December 9 Wichita is 1-26 on the power play. The Thunder had the #1 power play in the league 10 days ago at 25.5%. After last night they are now ranked #13 at 17.1%.
- Allen's power play is on the upswing. After going 2-2 last night the power play is 10-42 over the last nine games which is 23.8%.
- In the last 10 games the Allen penalty kill is 5-51 for a penalty kill percentage of 90.1%.
DID YOU KNOW: The best and the worst in the ECHL are in record territory. Toledo has quietly become the dominate team in the league with a record of 21-4-0-0 for a winning percentage of .840. Toledo is on pace to shatter the ECHL all-time record of .806 set by the Louisiana IceGators in 2001-02. Toledo is an offensive juggernaut averaging 4.48 goals per game which is over a half a goal per game higher than any other team. At the other end of the spectrum is the Norfolk Admirals with a record of 5-17-4-0 and a winning percentage of .269. The Admirals are on pace to have the fourth lowest winning percentage in ECHL history.
- Last night Allen completed a weekend sweep of the Wichita Thunder with a 4-1 win before a sparse Sunday crowd of 3215 at INTRUST Bank Arena. The Americans used the same formula that has been responsible for much of their recent success. A good start, special teams excellence, a strong third period and great goaltending.
- After a scoreless first period Allen took a 1-0 lead 46 seconds into the second period on a Greger Hanson power play goal. It was the ninth time in the last 10 games the Americans scored the first goal of the game. It was a good sign as Allen's record when scoring first is 12-2-1-0.
- Allen took the 1-0 lead into the second intermission. The third period was a repeat of the game in Allen on Friday when the Americans scored four goals to put the game away. Last night Allen tallied three third period goals scored by Greger Hanson (15), Chad Costello (13) and Bryan Moore (3). Wichita scored their lone goal in the third period to make the final score 4-1.
- Jamie Murray was outstanding in goal for Allen stopping 42 of 43 shots including many of the quality variety. It was certainly a game that will build confidence and momentum for Jamie going forward. Jamie was selected as the #2 star of the game. I heard the guys on the Thunder pregame show say Steve Martinson had given Wichita a gift by starting Murray over Riley Gill in the game. I guess the gift was a diamond in the rough.
- It seems as if whoever selects the three stars of the game in Wichita doesn't like to give all three stars to the visiting team even if it is well deserved. No quarrel with Greger Hanson getting the #1 star as he had two goals and an assist including the game winner. When you stop 42 of 43 shots, give up only one goal and have a save percentage of .977 the #2 star for Jamie Murray seems appropriate. But I have to take issue with giving the #3 star to a Wichita player over Chad Costello. Yes, the Wichita player scored the only goal for the Thunder but he was -1 for the game. All Chad did was have a part in all four Allen goals with four points (1 goal 3 assists) which is a weeks work for most players. His three assists were all primary assists where Chad made the play that led to a goal. Can't imagine it happens very often that your team wins 4-1, you have a point on all four goals and you don't get a star of the game. C'MON MAN!
- Make sure to go to ECHL Rewind and take a look at the game highlights. Kudos to the Wichita Thunder staff for putting together a great set of highlights that include the goals, some great saves by both goalies and the fisticuffs. A few things to look for when viewing the highlights. Watch for great defensive plays by Spencer Asuchak on the Costello goal and by Chad Costello on the Bryan Moore empty net goal. Spencer and Chad stripped the puck from a Wichita player in both cases. Also take note of the sequence of events just prior to the fight between Jake Marchment and Logan Nelson. Nelson was responsible for an injury to Kale Kerbashian and the Americans were going to make him pay. Here is what I think happened, you look at the replay and tell me if you agree. Derek Mathers is lined up next to Nelson on a faceoff, Marchment is taking the draw. Derek challenges Nelson to a fight but he wisely declines but knows he will have to fight because he injured Kerbashian, so agrees to fight Marchment. Mathers and Marchment swap places, the linesman drops the puck and the fight is on. Finally, look closely at the lone Thunder goal. The Americans thought a Wichita player used his stick to push Murray over on that play. It is hard to tell on the replay but you can see Murray falling over. Here is the link for ECHL Rewind: http://www.echl.com/
QUOTE ROUNDUP
Here are some post game quotes courtesy of Jeffrey Lutz of the Wichita Eagle (Malcolm Cameron quotes), Matt Harding of Team Sin Bin (Greger Hanson quotes), Steve Martinson and the Allen Americans:
"It was good to see the power play get a couple of goals again tonight. The power play was 5-10 this weekend".....Allen coach Steve Martinson
"Jamie Murray was vet strong in net tonight. I thought their guy pushed Murray over with his stick on the one goal Wichita scored.".....Martinson
"At times I thought we passed up good shot opportunities for some low percentage plays but when we started getting pucks to the net it paid off.".....Martinson
"It was good to see new guys like Moore and Marchment respond to the hit on Kerbashian and stick up for their teammate.".....Martinson
"I look forward to getting Harrison Ruopp back in the lineup the next time we play the Thunder.".....Martinson
"We are the most inconsistent team I have ever seen as far as work ethic. I've never seen anything like it, it's crazy. The brain shuts down when you don't work, and you look at the goals we gave up... we used to be a good third period team, but now we're (not) because we don't work.".....Wichita Thunder coach Malcolm Cameron
"We had so many rushes blow up tonight because guys started to coast, guys started to glide. It's my job to figure out who the guys are that are going to be here when it is all said and done.".....Cameron
"We can beat that hockey team. But you've got to work to do it. You can't give a skilled team that many odd man rushes. Our execution today was so poor.".....Cameron
"I thought it was a tight game so it was huge to get those two power play goals. The first one was a one-timer and the second one was off the rush where Chad Costello made a great play.".....#1 star of the game Greger Hanson.
"Chad Costello is smarter that anyone else on the ice so when he has the puck you have to get open and you know you will get the puck if you are open. It is a challenge but if you do it well you know it will pay off. It is a lot of fun.".....Hanson
"I try to not give up any shooting opportunities and it has paid off this year. I can play better defensively but it has been good thus far.".....Hanson
"It was a good win for us. We got great goaltending from Jamie Murray and we made the most of our special teams to get the win. They have a good team over there with a lot of skilled players on their roster.".....Hanson
"Jamie was spectacular tonight. He was playing with a lot of confidence out there and it showed. We have two guys playing great between the pipes right now and that gives us a chance to win every night.".....Allen co-captain Chad Costello.
OTHER COMMENTS
- The summary for the two wins against Wichita this weekend shows why the team is playing better hockey and gaining momentum. Allen has scored 10 goals in the two games while allowing just one in each game. The power play was 50% (5-10) on the weekend. The penalty kill gave up only one goal in 12 opportunities and that was a five-on-three. Allen allowed no first period goals, scored the first goal of the game both nights and outscored Wichita 7-1 in the third period.
- Allen has almost single-handedly dismantled the Wichita power play in the last 10 days . In the four games these teams have played since December 9 Wichita is 1-26 on the power play. The Thunder had the #1 power play in the league 10 days ago at 25.5%. After last night they are now ranked #13 at 17.1%.
- Allen's power play is on the upswing. After going 2-2 last night the power play is 10-42 over the last nine games which is 23.8%.
- In the last 10 games the Allen penalty kill is 5-51 for a penalty kill percentage of 90.1%.
DID YOU KNOW: The best and the worst in the ECHL are in record territory. Toledo has quietly become the dominate team in the league with a record of 21-4-0-0 for a winning percentage of .840. Toledo is on pace to shatter the ECHL all-time record of .806 set by the Louisiana IceGators in 2001-02. Toledo is an offensive juggernaut averaging 4.48 goals per game which is over a half a goal per game higher than any other team. At the other end of the spectrum is the Norfolk Admirals with a record of 5-17-4-0 and a winning percentage of .269. The Admirals are on pace to have the fourth lowest winning percentage in ECHL history.
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Allen vs Wichita Game Preview, Makowski's Impact, Stevenson's Fight Card and More
The Allen Americans are in Wichita to take on the Thunder this afternoon with a 4:05 pm puck drop. Not sure if you should call the game today a rematch or a grudge match after the teams combined for 136 penalty minutes Friday night in a 6-1 Allen victory. When you schedule six of ten games against the same opponent in a three week period you can't be surprised if things get testy.
- The game on Friday night against Wichita was unique for more than the 10 fighting major penalties. The Americans won 6-1 and the top line (Costello, Asuchak, Hanson) didn't have a goal. Allen had three power play goals and a total of 17 points (6 goals 11 assists) and the top line had just two assists. If the Americans can continue to get more scoring from the second and third lines they will be hard to beat.
- The impact coach Martinson expected when he signed David Makowski was evident on Friday as David had a goal and two assists along with a team leading 11 shots on goal. Martinson's expectation is Makowski will hammer the puck on net and that is exactly what he has done since arriving back in Allen. He has averaged 5.2 shots per game in the five games he has played. As a point of comparison, Greger Hanson leads the team and the entire league in shots on goal with 122 but his average per game (4.4) is lower than Makowski's.
- Makowski is already second on the team in plus/minus with a +8, trailing only Joel Chouinard (+16) in that category. David has been a plus in all five games he has played. When Makowski arrived in Allen five games ago, the Americans were averaging 2.90 goals per game. In the five games he has played, Allen is averaging 4.20 goals per game. It is not all about Makowski but he has certainly contributed.
- Special teams were the difference in the game on Friday as the Allen power play had its best night all season going 3-8. When you consider the power play had only 11 goals in the first 27 games of the season, to get three in one night is remarkable. The power play percentage is still abysmal (11.5%) but it has shown flashes of last year's brilliance recently. Over the last eight games Allen has a power play goal in five of them. In those eight games the power play is 8-40 (20%).
- Here is an update of the stats comparing Allen and Wichita:
ALLEN WICHITA
Team Record 14-13-1-0 (29 points) 11-9-0-1 (23 points)
Division Ranking 4th - Mountain 5th - Central
Conference Ranking 8th - Western 10th - Western
League Ranking 15th 21th
Last Game 6-1 Win (Wichita) 6-1 Loss (Allen)
Goals For 88 64
Goals Against 84 65
Power Play 11.5% (14/122) 18.1% (13/72)
Penalty Kill 84.0% (21/131) 87.5% (11/88)
Most PIM Mathers (124) Melindy (56)
Leading Scorers: Costello (12-26-38) Loiseau (14-10-24)
Hanson (13-16-29) Moon (6-11-17)
- Here is how Allen and Wichita rank in the ECHL in some statistical categories:
Penalty Minutes Per Game: Allen 2nd (20.14) - Wichita 3rd (19.81)
Goals Scored Per Game: Allen 15th (3.14) - Wichita 16th (3.05)
Goals Allowed per Game: Allen 11th (3.00) - Wichita 14th (3.10)
Shots For Per Game: Allen 5th (33.32) - Wichita 13th (31.81)
Shots Against Per Game: Allen 20th (33.46) - Wichita 27th (37.86)
Power Play Percentage: Allen 24th (11.5%) - Wichita 13th (18.1%)
Penalty Kill Percentage: Allen 11th (84.0%) - Wichita 3rd (87.5%)
- Allen and Wichita have played three of the 14 games they will play this season with the Americans winning two of the three. You can start to see some trends when you look at the cumulative stats for the previous games. Both teams get more shots on goal than normal. Total shots on goal in the three games actually favors Wichita 119-114. That is an average of 40 shots for Wichita and 38 for Allen, significantly above their average for the season.
- When Allen played Wichita for the first time (December 9) the Thunder had the #1 ranked power play in the ECHL at 25.5%. In the three games against Allen in the last week the Wichita power play is 1-22 and the lone goal was a five-on-three on Friday. The Thunder power play is now ranked #13 at 18.1%.
- It was cold this morning in Allen at 15 but the team woke up to -2 in Wichita. When the Americans left Allen yesterday at 2:00 pm it was 72 degrees. Nothing like a 74 degree temperature change in less than 24 hours to get your attention. Wonder how good the heating system works on Big Red? Incidently, as a followup to the hometown temperatures in yesterday's blog post the coldest I could find this morning was in Baudette, Minnesota where Aaron Gens' mom and dad live. It was -22 with a -38 windchill. Now that is cold!
- Officials scheduled for the game are referee Stephen Reneau (#17) and linesmen Lucas Bisbee (#72) and Chase Wilkinson (#68).
OTHER COMMENTS
- I failed to mention yesterday that Zach Hall's goal on Friday was his first professional goal. Zach played two games in Reading before being traded to Allen and had two assists but no goals. Zach is more of a play maker than goal scorer as he averaged close to an assist per game in his last two junior seasons with the Barrie Colts.
- Hockey players make strange bedfellows and nothing explains that more than the relationship with players and fighting. Back in his junior days in the Western Hockey League, Dyson Stevenson had fights with current teammates Tanner Eberle, Travis Brown, and Harrison Ruopp. He even fought Derek Mathers when they were playing in the AHL. Dyson has fought former Allen Americans Darryl Bootland, Jim McKenzie, Dylan King, Ayrton Nikkel, Jessey Astles, Brett Lyon and Judd Blackwater. Stevenson holds his own for a guy that probably weighs closer to 175 pounds than the 185 listed on the official roster. He almost always gives up height and weight to his opponent such as Mathers who is three or four inches taller and 60 pounds heavier. What transpired between Stevenson and his former teammate and good friend, Vincent Arseneau, on Friday was beyond the pale. If you heard Dyson's post game interview it went something like this. Thursday evening Dyson invited Arseneau over to his apartment and cooked dinner for his friend. Then on the very next night they not only have a fight but Arseneau takes a four minute boarding call for hitting Stevenson in the back and driving him into the boards. What was Stevenson's reaction? I knew he was going to hit me but I didn't think he would hit me that hard. I am sure I felt like a rag doll to him. I think it was a bit of a cheap shot but I will forgive him because he is my friend. Strange bedfellows indeed.
- According to the website dropyourgloves.com, the year Dyson Stevenson fought Derek Mathers (yes he lost the fight) was 2014-15. Dyson had 20 fights that season and he was outweighed in all 20. In just two of the fights was he outweighed by less than ten pounds. He was outweighed by 30 or more pounds in 11 of the 20 fights and more than 40 pounds in six. Now that is a brave (or foolish) soul.
DID YOU KNOW: Dyson Stevenson does whatever is necessary to help his team and much of what he does isn't reflected in the box score. He has been in the box score a lot lately as he has seven points (2 goals 5 assists) along with three fights in the last four games. Did you know in his last year in juniors (2013-14) with the Regina Pats, Dyson led the team with 38 goals and was second in points with 76. He also led the team in fights with 16. His coach was Malcolm Cameron who is now the coach for the Wichita Thunder.
- The game on Friday night against Wichita was unique for more than the 10 fighting major penalties. The Americans won 6-1 and the top line (Costello, Asuchak, Hanson) didn't have a goal. Allen had three power play goals and a total of 17 points (6 goals 11 assists) and the top line had just two assists. If the Americans can continue to get more scoring from the second and third lines they will be hard to beat.
- The impact coach Martinson expected when he signed David Makowski was evident on Friday as David had a goal and two assists along with a team leading 11 shots on goal. Martinson's expectation is Makowski will hammer the puck on net and that is exactly what he has done since arriving back in Allen. He has averaged 5.2 shots per game in the five games he has played. As a point of comparison, Greger Hanson leads the team and the entire league in shots on goal with 122 but his average per game (4.4) is lower than Makowski's.
- Makowski is already second on the team in plus/minus with a +8, trailing only Joel Chouinard (+16) in that category. David has been a plus in all five games he has played. When Makowski arrived in Allen five games ago, the Americans were averaging 2.90 goals per game. In the five games he has played, Allen is averaging 4.20 goals per game. It is not all about Makowski but he has certainly contributed.
- Special teams were the difference in the game on Friday as the Allen power play had its best night all season going 3-8. When you consider the power play had only 11 goals in the first 27 games of the season, to get three in one night is remarkable. The power play percentage is still abysmal (11.5%) but it has shown flashes of last year's brilliance recently. Over the last eight games Allen has a power play goal in five of them. In those eight games the power play is 8-40 (20%).
- Here is an update of the stats comparing Allen and Wichita:
ALLEN WICHITA
Team Record 14-13-1-0 (29 points) 11-9-0-1 (23 points)
Division Ranking 4th - Mountain 5th - Central
Conference Ranking 8th - Western 10th - Western
League Ranking 15th 21th
Last Game 6-1 Win (Wichita) 6-1 Loss (Allen)
Goals For 88 64
Goals Against 84 65
Power Play 11.5% (14/122) 18.1% (13/72)
Penalty Kill 84.0% (21/131) 87.5% (11/88)
Most PIM Mathers (124) Melindy (56)
Leading Scorers: Costello (12-26-38) Loiseau (14-10-24)
Hanson (13-16-29) Moon (6-11-17)
- Here is how Allen and Wichita rank in the ECHL in some statistical categories:
Penalty Minutes Per Game: Allen 2nd (20.14) - Wichita 3rd (19.81)
Goals Scored Per Game: Allen 15th (3.14) - Wichita 16th (3.05)
Goals Allowed per Game: Allen 11th (3.00) - Wichita 14th (3.10)
Shots For Per Game: Allen 5th (33.32) - Wichita 13th (31.81)
Shots Against Per Game: Allen 20th (33.46) - Wichita 27th (37.86)
Power Play Percentage: Allen 24th (11.5%) - Wichita 13th (18.1%)
Penalty Kill Percentage: Allen 11th (84.0%) - Wichita 3rd (87.5%)
- Allen and Wichita have played three of the 14 games they will play this season with the Americans winning two of the three. You can start to see some trends when you look at the cumulative stats for the previous games. Both teams get more shots on goal than normal. Total shots on goal in the three games actually favors Wichita 119-114. That is an average of 40 shots for Wichita and 38 for Allen, significantly above their average for the season.
- When Allen played Wichita for the first time (December 9) the Thunder had the #1 ranked power play in the ECHL at 25.5%. In the three games against Allen in the last week the Wichita power play is 1-22 and the lone goal was a five-on-three on Friday. The Thunder power play is now ranked #13 at 18.1%.
- It was cold this morning in Allen at 15 but the team woke up to -2 in Wichita. When the Americans left Allen yesterday at 2:00 pm it was 72 degrees. Nothing like a 74 degree temperature change in less than 24 hours to get your attention. Wonder how good the heating system works on Big Red? Incidently, as a followup to the hometown temperatures in yesterday's blog post the coldest I could find this morning was in Baudette, Minnesota where Aaron Gens' mom and dad live. It was -22 with a -38 windchill. Now that is cold!
- Officials scheduled for the game are referee Stephen Reneau (#17) and linesmen Lucas Bisbee (#72) and Chase Wilkinson (#68).
OTHER COMMENTS
- I failed to mention yesterday that Zach Hall's goal on Friday was his first professional goal. Zach played two games in Reading before being traded to Allen and had two assists but no goals. Zach is more of a play maker than goal scorer as he averaged close to an assist per game in his last two junior seasons with the Barrie Colts.
- Hockey players make strange bedfellows and nothing explains that more than the relationship with players and fighting. Back in his junior days in the Western Hockey League, Dyson Stevenson had fights with current teammates Tanner Eberle, Travis Brown, and Harrison Ruopp. He even fought Derek Mathers when they were playing in the AHL. Dyson has fought former Allen Americans Darryl Bootland, Jim McKenzie, Dylan King, Ayrton Nikkel, Jessey Astles, Brett Lyon and Judd Blackwater. Stevenson holds his own for a guy that probably weighs closer to 175 pounds than the 185 listed on the official roster. He almost always gives up height and weight to his opponent such as Mathers who is three or four inches taller and 60 pounds heavier. What transpired between Stevenson and his former teammate and good friend, Vincent Arseneau, on Friday was beyond the pale. If you heard Dyson's post game interview it went something like this. Thursday evening Dyson invited Arseneau over to his apartment and cooked dinner for his friend. Then on the very next night they not only have a fight but Arseneau takes a four minute boarding call for hitting Stevenson in the back and driving him into the boards. What was Stevenson's reaction? I knew he was going to hit me but I didn't think he would hit me that hard. I am sure I felt like a rag doll to him. I think it was a bit of a cheap shot but I will forgive him because he is my friend. Strange bedfellows indeed.
- According to the website dropyourgloves.com, the year Dyson Stevenson fought Derek Mathers (yes he lost the fight) was 2014-15. Dyson had 20 fights that season and he was outweighed in all 20. In just two of the fights was he outweighed by less than ten pounds. He was outweighed by 30 or more pounds in 11 of the 20 fights and more than 40 pounds in six. Now that is a brave (or foolish) soul.
DID YOU KNOW: Dyson Stevenson does whatever is necessary to help his team and much of what he does isn't reflected in the box score. He has been in the box score a lot lately as he has seven points (2 goals 5 assists) along with three fights in the last four games. Did you know in his last year in juniors (2013-14) with the Regina Pats, Dyson led the team with 38 goals and was second in points with 76. He also led the team in fights with 16. His coach was Malcolm Cameron who is now the coach for the Wichita Thunder.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Allen Beats Wichita, Martinson's Comments, Baby It's Cold Outside at Home & More
The Allen Americans beat the Wichita Thunder last night 6-1 before an entertained crowd of 4345 at the Allen Event Center (AEC). Beat is the correct word as the Americans dominated the game in every facet from goals (6-1), to shots (45-32), to power play goals (3-1) to penalty minutes (73-63).
- Goal scorers for Allen were Bryan Moore (2), Gary Steffes (6), Zach Hall (1), Dyson Stevenson (4), David Makowski (1) and Jake Marchment (7).
- There were 102 penalty minutes in the second period alone. Four players were given game misconduct penalties including Mike Gunn and Gary Steffes for Allen. There were three fights happening at the same time. By the time the game was completed, referee Tudor Floru, who has a long history with the Americans, had issued 33 penalties for 136 minutes. Mike Gunn had 29 penalty minutes which is the most penalty minutes in one game in the ECHL all season.
- The mini brawl started after a sequence of events that makes you wonder. Derek Mathers had a fight with Vincent Arseneau at 16:12 of the second period and had a clear win. Mathers landing at least 10 unanswered punches. Wichita coach Malcolm Cameron called a timeout after that fight and then four seconds after play resumes the mini brawl begins.
- Dyson Stevenson was the #1 star of the game and it was well deserved as Dyson did everything for the team. He not only had a Gordie Howe hat trick he almost had a double. Stevenson had two fights, two assists and one goal. For good measure he also took a few shifts at defense late in the game.
- Check out all of the goals and the fights at ECHL Rewind: http://www.echl.com/
STEVE MARTINSON'S POST GAME COMMENTS
- I had the chance to visit with coach Martinson after the game and best I not share the majority of that conversation as he was none too pleased with the way the game was handled. You can be assured he will be in communication with the league office with video as back up regarding how the brawl started and ended with Wichita getting a five on three power play. I think you are always much better off when you raise issues with the league after a 6-1 victory rather than when you lose the game.
- Coach Martinson was pleased with the effort put forth by the guys in all facets of the game. When the only goal you allow is a five on three power play it is a very good night.
- The team leaves at 2:00 pm today as it is required for a stand alone game you travel the day before the game. Game time tomorrow is 4:05 pm. It should be a good one.
- It was good to have Kevin Colley on the bench helping out. Kevin has over 350 games as a head coach in the ECHL.
OTHER COMMENTS
- Hats off to Jaime Garcia who has been doing double duty recently for the Americans. In addition to his regular job as the team's trainer he has been filling as the equipment manager until the new guy transitions into the job. Jaime was all over the place last night dealing with the aftermath of the numerous fights as well as several equipment issues. A job well done for a guy that goes above and beyond the call of duty.
One of the recruiting tools coach Martinson always uses is the weather in Allen. While there are a few cold wintry days, players can fish and play golf all year long. The weather this morning is a perfect example. It is currently 70 degrees in Allen and although the temp will be going down this afternoon it is a far cry from the weather back home for most of the players. Here are a few examples of what the temperature is like at home. All temperatures are in Fahrenheit and are not wind chill temps but the actual temps.
Chad Costello - It will be -9 tonight with snow in Chad's hometown of Johnston, Iowa.
Dyson Stevenson - Dyson's family in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan is enjoying -16. High today -8.
Aaron Gens - It will be -23 in Baudette, Minnesota tonight. The high today will be -8.
Bryan Moore - A balmy high of 55 today in Bryan's home town of Indian Trails, North Carolina.
Greger Hanson - Is is 34 degrees in Greger's hometown Lindingo, Sweden. High today 35.
Eric Roy - It is -8 in Beauval, Saskatchwan. Low tonight for the Roy family a chilly -18.
Derek Mathers - It is 27 in Derek's hometown of Strathroy, Ontario. Tomorrow night low is -3.
Harrison Ruopp - It is -24 on the Ruopp family farm in Zehner, Saskatchewan. High today is -6.
Travis Brown - It will be -9 for a high today in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Low tonight is -22
Riley Gill - It will be -26 and snow tonight in Riley's hometown of Northfield, Minnesota.
- Here are the results of the of the "Ugly Sweater" jersey auction tonight:
$1100 - Chad Costello
$800 - Riley Gill
$700 - Dyson Stevenson
$600 - David Makowski
$600 - Derek Mathers
$600 - Gary Steffes
$600 - Mike Gunn
$550 - Travis Brown
$550 - Spencer Asuchak
$550 - Greger Hanson
$550 - Aaron Gens
$550 - Joel Chouinard
$550 - Kale Kerbashian
$500 - Harrison Ruopp
$500 - Jamie Murray
$500 - Eric Roy
$500 - Bryan Moore
$500 - Randy Cure
$450 - Zach Hall
$450 - Tristan King
$450 - Tanner Eberle
$450 - Jake Marchment
$400 - Alex Guptill
$400 - Micheal Brodzinski
- Here is another example why the Allen Ice Angels are the best in the business. A little performance titled, "Ice Angels Bet You Can't JuJu Like Me Challenge" https://youtu.be/n08jYpNEmE4
DID YOU KNOW: The Allen Americans had a rough bus trip through the mountains over Thanksgiving with numerous breakdowns but the all time bus trip from hell took place one year ago on another trip out west. Here is the blog post from one year ago.
The road trip from hell continues for the Allen Americans as they have still not made it to Boise, Idaho where they are scheduled to play the Steelheads tonight. They have pretty much been in travel mode ever since Tuesday night when they left Allen for Colorado. A seven hour delay in that trip because of a snow storm was just the beginning of the problems. After losing 4-1 to Colorado Wednesday night the team attempted to head to Boise but had to turn around after just 30 minutes because of impassable roads. Another attempt Thursday afternoon got them as far as Cheyenne, Wyoming which sounds like a long way but in fact is less than 60 miles from Loveland where the Eagles play. The Interstate was closed west of Cheyenne so the team spent the rest of the day in a parking lot in Cheyenne. A check of the weather this morning shows parts of the Interstate are still closed. I haven't heard from the team since last night but the most likely scenario was a return to the Denver area and then flying to Boise today, however, nothing had been decided. It has to be a bored, frustrated, angry, beat down group of guys on that bus. When you own a bus like the Americans do, it is hardly ever cost beneficial to fly but if you don't own a bus, flying is a reasonable option on trips like the one to Colorado and Idaho. The bus is on its last legs as it is over 20 years old and has traveled about two million miles. The best thing to happen for the players would be to have the bus die permanently!
- Goal scorers for Allen were Bryan Moore (2), Gary Steffes (6), Zach Hall (1), Dyson Stevenson (4), David Makowski (1) and Jake Marchment (7).
- There were 102 penalty minutes in the second period alone. Four players were given game misconduct penalties including Mike Gunn and Gary Steffes for Allen. There were three fights happening at the same time. By the time the game was completed, referee Tudor Floru, who has a long history with the Americans, had issued 33 penalties for 136 minutes. Mike Gunn had 29 penalty minutes which is the most penalty minutes in one game in the ECHL all season.
- The mini brawl started after a sequence of events that makes you wonder. Derek Mathers had a fight with Vincent Arseneau at 16:12 of the second period and had a clear win. Mathers landing at least 10 unanswered punches. Wichita coach Malcolm Cameron called a timeout after that fight and then four seconds after play resumes the mini brawl begins.
- Dyson Stevenson was the #1 star of the game and it was well deserved as Dyson did everything for the team. He not only had a Gordie Howe hat trick he almost had a double. Stevenson had two fights, two assists and one goal. For good measure he also took a few shifts at defense late in the game.
- Check out all of the goals and the fights at ECHL Rewind: http://www.echl.com/
STEVE MARTINSON'S POST GAME COMMENTS
- I had the chance to visit with coach Martinson after the game and best I not share the majority of that conversation as he was none too pleased with the way the game was handled. You can be assured he will be in communication with the league office with video as back up regarding how the brawl started and ended with Wichita getting a five on three power play. I think you are always much better off when you raise issues with the league after a 6-1 victory rather than when you lose the game.
- Coach Martinson was pleased with the effort put forth by the guys in all facets of the game. When the only goal you allow is a five on three power play it is a very good night.
- The team leaves at 2:00 pm today as it is required for a stand alone game you travel the day before the game. Game time tomorrow is 4:05 pm. It should be a good one.
- It was good to have Kevin Colley on the bench helping out. Kevin has over 350 games as a head coach in the ECHL.
OTHER COMMENTS
- Hats off to Jaime Garcia who has been doing double duty recently for the Americans. In addition to his regular job as the team's trainer he has been filling as the equipment manager until the new guy transitions into the job. Jaime was all over the place last night dealing with the aftermath of the numerous fights as well as several equipment issues. A job well done for a guy that goes above and beyond the call of duty.
One of the recruiting tools coach Martinson always uses is the weather in Allen. While there are a few cold wintry days, players can fish and play golf all year long. The weather this morning is a perfect example. It is currently 70 degrees in Allen and although the temp will be going down this afternoon it is a far cry from the weather back home for most of the players. Here are a few examples of what the temperature is like at home. All temperatures are in Fahrenheit and are not wind chill temps but the actual temps.
Chad Costello - It will be -9 tonight with snow in Chad's hometown of Johnston, Iowa.
Dyson Stevenson - Dyson's family in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan is enjoying -16. High today -8.
Aaron Gens - It will be -23 in Baudette, Minnesota tonight. The high today will be -8.
Bryan Moore - A balmy high of 55 today in Bryan's home town of Indian Trails, North Carolina.
Greger Hanson - Is is 34 degrees in Greger's hometown Lindingo, Sweden. High today 35.
Eric Roy - It is -8 in Beauval, Saskatchwan. Low tonight for the Roy family a chilly -18.
Derek Mathers - It is 27 in Derek's hometown of Strathroy, Ontario. Tomorrow night low is -3.
Harrison Ruopp - It is -24 on the Ruopp family farm in Zehner, Saskatchewan. High today is -6.
Travis Brown - It will be -9 for a high today in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Low tonight is -22
Riley Gill - It will be -26 and snow tonight in Riley's hometown of Northfield, Minnesota.
- Here are the results of the of the "Ugly Sweater" jersey auction tonight:
$1100 - Chad Costello
$800 - Riley Gill
$700 - Dyson Stevenson
$600 - David Makowski
$600 - Derek Mathers
$600 - Gary Steffes
$600 - Mike Gunn
$550 - Travis Brown
$550 - Spencer Asuchak
$550 - Greger Hanson
$550 - Aaron Gens
$550 - Joel Chouinard
$550 - Kale Kerbashian
$500 - Harrison Ruopp
$500 - Jamie Murray
$500 - Eric Roy
$500 - Bryan Moore
$500 - Randy Cure
$450 - Zach Hall
$450 - Tristan King
$450 - Tanner Eberle
$450 - Jake Marchment
$400 - Alex Guptill
$400 - Micheal Brodzinski
- Here is another example why the Allen Ice Angels are the best in the business. A little performance titled, "Ice Angels Bet You Can't JuJu Like Me Challenge" https://youtu.be/n08jYpNEmE4
DID YOU KNOW: The Allen Americans had a rough bus trip through the mountains over Thanksgiving with numerous breakdowns but the all time bus trip from hell took place one year ago on another trip out west. Here is the blog post from one year ago.
The road trip from hell continues for the Allen Americans as they have still not made it to Boise, Idaho where they are scheduled to play the Steelheads tonight. They have pretty much been in travel mode ever since Tuesday night when they left Allen for Colorado. A seven hour delay in that trip because of a snow storm was just the beginning of the problems. After losing 4-1 to Colorado Wednesday night the team attempted to head to Boise but had to turn around after just 30 minutes because of impassable roads. Another attempt Thursday afternoon got them as far as Cheyenne, Wyoming which sounds like a long way but in fact is less than 60 miles from Loveland where the Eagles play. The Interstate was closed west of Cheyenne so the team spent the rest of the day in a parking lot in Cheyenne. A check of the weather this morning shows parts of the Interstate are still closed. I haven't heard from the team since last night but the most likely scenario was a return to the Denver area and then flying to Boise today, however, nothing had been decided. It has to be a bored, frustrated, angry, beat down group of guys on that bus. When you own a bus like the Americans do, it is hardly ever cost beneficial to fly but if you don't own a bus, flying is a reasonable option on trips like the one to Colorado and Idaho. The bus is on its last legs as it is over 20 years old and has traveled about two million miles. The best thing to happen for the players would be to have the bus die permanently!
Friday, December 16, 2016
Allen vs Wichita Game Preview, Ugly Sweater & Christmas Ornament Auctions, List of #1's
It is game day for the Allen Americans as they take on the Wichita Thunder at the Allen Event Center (AEC) with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 pm. The Christmas spirit will be evident with the players wearing ugly Christmas sweaters (see below) that will be auctioned after the game. Also, the fan club will be auctioning Christmas Ornaments tonight that were hand made/painted by the players. Stop by the fan club table to check them out.
- The game tonight will be number three of 14 between Allen and Wichita this season. They split their first two games last weekend in Wichita. If those first two games were indicative of what happens tonight these teams will generate a lot of shots on goal as they combined for 75 & 81 shots in the first two games. Both teams struggled on the power play combining for 0-25 in the two games.
- If familiarity breeds contempt you might see that start to surface. The game tonight will be the third in eight days between Allen and Wichita. It doesn't get any better after tonight as the teams play again in Wichita on Sunday. Four of Allen's next seven games are against the Thunder.
- Playing Wichita always brings up talk of rivalry and that certainly was the case in the CHL, especially the dramatic game seven championship game in 2013 when Allen came back from a two goal deficit late in the third period and won the championship in overtime. It hasn't been much of a rivalry since the teams joined the ECHL as the Americans have dominated the Thunder with a record of 23-2-4-3. Things have changed in Wichita this season with a new coach and a new team that is much more competitive so you can see some of the old time spirit creeping back.
- The other factor that often gets talked about when playing Wichita is team ownership. Since both teams are owned (along with Tulsa) by the same ownership group, which happens to be based in Wichita, there has always been a sense of Allen being the ugly step child to the favorite child in Wichita. Even if it is not intended Allen fans feel like outcasts and the ugly duckling of the group who are not supported in the same way as the team in Wichita. It all makes for an interesting dynamic and beating Wichita always comes with a little extra satisfaction.
- Here is a match up between Allen and Wichita:
ALLEN WICHITA
Team Record 13-13-1-0 (27 points) 11-8-0-1 (23 points)
Division Ranking 4th - Mountain 5th - Central
Conference Ranking 8th - Western 9th - Western
League Ranking 15th 19th
Last Game 5-4 Loss (Colorado) 4-3 Win (Missouri)
Goals For 82 63
Goals Against 83 59
Power Play 9.6% (11/114) 18.8% (12/64)
Penalty Kill 83.7% (20.123) 90.0% (8/80)
Most PIM Mathers (119) Melindy (41)
Leading Scorers: Costello (12-25-37) Loiseau (14-9-23)
Hanson (13-15-28) Moon (6-11-17)
- Here is how Allen and Wichita rank in the ECHL in some statistical categories:
Penalty Minutes Per Game: Allen 3rd (18.19) - Wichita 5th (17.65)
Goals Scored Per Game: Allen 18th (3.04) - Wichita 14th (3.15)
Goals Allowed per Game: Allen 12th (3.07) - Wichita 8th (2.95)
Shots For Per Game: Allen 9th (32.89) - Wichita 13th (31.80)
Shots Against Per Game: Allen 19th (32.52) - Wichita 27th (37.50)
Power Play Percentage: Allen 25th (9.6%) - Wichita 8th (18.8%)
Penalty Kill Percentage: Allen 15th (83.7%) - Wichita 2nd (90.0%)
- Special teams stats show the biggest contrast between these teams and if you look at the season long statistics Wichita has the clear advantage on both the power play and penalty kill. However, the Thunder were leading the ECHL in power play percentage two weeks ago and are now ranked eighth. They have just one power play goal in their last six games. Allen on the other hand looked as if their anemic power play had gotten life when they went 5-17 at the beginning of the month but in the last three games they are 0-15. The bottom line is throw the stats out the window but whoever wins on special teams tonight should win the game. You might see newcomer Zach Hall on the power play unit for Allen.
- Another stat worth noting is home versus road records as these teams seems to have it "bass ackwards." They both have better road records than home records. What that means for tonight is Wichita arrives at the AEC with a 4-1-0-1 road record. Allen's home record is 5-6-0-0. So much for home ice advantage.
- For the first time in several games coach Martinson will have enough healthy players so there will have to be a healthy scratch. Travis Brown will return so there will be a full compliment of six defensemen. That means one forward will have to sit.
- Wichita will have their leading scorer, Alexis Loiseau, back tonight. He missed both games against Allen last weekend because he was on loan to Binghamton (AHL). Vincent Arseneau has also returned to the Wichita line up and has had an immediate impact. Arseneau has been back for three games and already has three goals and two assists to his credit along with being selected the #1 star in two of the games.
- Officials scheduled for the game are referee Tudor Floru (#26) and linesmen Brian Bull (#49) and Rick Rivera (#59). Floru is a local referee who has officiated Allen games for many years going back to the CHL days.
OTHER COMMENTS
- Allen is once again in the precarious position of falling below the .500 mark if they lose tonight. The longest winning streak all season for the Americans has been three games and that has happened only one time.
- There are some streaks worth noting. Chad Costello has a point in seven straight games and a goal in the last four games. Spencer Asuchak has at least one point in six consecutive games. Joel Chouinard has just one minus game in the last eight. He leads the team in plus/minus with +14. David Makowski as been +1, +2, +1, +3 in the four games since his return. His +7 is second on the team after Chouinard.
- It is a busy schedule around the ECHL tonight as every team in the league will be in action with the exception of the Quad City Mallards.
- Going into the game tonight Allen has played the most games in the league (27) and Wichita the fewest (20).
DID YOU KNOW: If you go through all of the statistics, both team and individual, that the ECHL tracks there are close to 200 different categories. Here is everyone where Allen as a team or one of the players is first or tied for first. It is a short list compared to prior years and some of the numbers equate to worst not best.
Overall Points - Chad Costello (37)
Assists - Chad Costello (25)
Penalty Minutes - Derek Mathers (119)
Major Penalties - Derek Mathers (13)
Shots on Goal - Greger Hanson - (117)
Shutouts - Riley Gill (3)
Team Penalty Minutes - (491)
Team Shootout Attempts - 100% (two attempts for two goals)
Team Shootout Record Win Percentage - 100% (2-0)
Shorthanded Goals Allowed - (8)
Goals Allowed First Period - (29)
Shots Allowed First Period - (315)
Shots Taken Third Period - (307)
Current Goal Scoring Streak - Chad Costello (four games)
Current Point Scoring Streak - Chad Costello (seven games)
Most Saves Second Period - Riley Gill (27)
Fewest Team Shots Second Period - (2)
- The game tonight will be number three of 14 between Allen and Wichita this season. They split their first two games last weekend in Wichita. If those first two games were indicative of what happens tonight these teams will generate a lot of shots on goal as they combined for 75 & 81 shots in the first two games. Both teams struggled on the power play combining for 0-25 in the two games.
- If familiarity breeds contempt you might see that start to surface. The game tonight will be the third in eight days between Allen and Wichita. It doesn't get any better after tonight as the teams play again in Wichita on Sunday. Four of Allen's next seven games are against the Thunder.
- Playing Wichita always brings up talk of rivalry and that certainly was the case in the CHL, especially the dramatic game seven championship game in 2013 when Allen came back from a two goal deficit late in the third period and won the championship in overtime. It hasn't been much of a rivalry since the teams joined the ECHL as the Americans have dominated the Thunder with a record of 23-2-4-3. Things have changed in Wichita this season with a new coach and a new team that is much more competitive so you can see some of the old time spirit creeping back.
- The other factor that often gets talked about when playing Wichita is team ownership. Since both teams are owned (along with Tulsa) by the same ownership group, which happens to be based in Wichita, there has always been a sense of Allen being the ugly step child to the favorite child in Wichita. Even if it is not intended Allen fans feel like outcasts and the ugly duckling of the group who are not supported in the same way as the team in Wichita. It all makes for an interesting dynamic and beating Wichita always comes with a little extra satisfaction.
- Here is a match up between Allen and Wichita:
ALLEN WICHITA
Team Record 13-13-1-0 (27 points) 11-8-0-1 (23 points)
Division Ranking 4th - Mountain 5th - Central
Conference Ranking 8th - Western 9th - Western
League Ranking 15th 19th
Last Game 5-4 Loss (Colorado) 4-3 Win (Missouri)
Goals For 82 63
Goals Against 83 59
Power Play 9.6% (11/114) 18.8% (12/64)
Penalty Kill 83.7% (20.123) 90.0% (8/80)
Most PIM Mathers (119) Melindy (41)
Leading Scorers: Costello (12-25-37) Loiseau (14-9-23)
Hanson (13-15-28) Moon (6-11-17)
- Here is how Allen and Wichita rank in the ECHL in some statistical categories:
Penalty Minutes Per Game: Allen 3rd (18.19) - Wichita 5th (17.65)
Goals Scored Per Game: Allen 18th (3.04) - Wichita 14th (3.15)
Goals Allowed per Game: Allen 12th (3.07) - Wichita 8th (2.95)
Shots For Per Game: Allen 9th (32.89) - Wichita 13th (31.80)
Shots Against Per Game: Allen 19th (32.52) - Wichita 27th (37.50)
Power Play Percentage: Allen 25th (9.6%) - Wichita 8th (18.8%)
Penalty Kill Percentage: Allen 15th (83.7%) - Wichita 2nd (90.0%)
- Special teams stats show the biggest contrast between these teams and if you look at the season long statistics Wichita has the clear advantage on both the power play and penalty kill. However, the Thunder were leading the ECHL in power play percentage two weeks ago and are now ranked eighth. They have just one power play goal in their last six games. Allen on the other hand looked as if their anemic power play had gotten life when they went 5-17 at the beginning of the month but in the last three games they are 0-15. The bottom line is throw the stats out the window but whoever wins on special teams tonight should win the game. You might see newcomer Zach Hall on the power play unit for Allen.
- Another stat worth noting is home versus road records as these teams seems to have it "bass ackwards." They both have better road records than home records. What that means for tonight is Wichita arrives at the AEC with a 4-1-0-1 road record. Allen's home record is 5-6-0-0. So much for home ice advantage.
- For the first time in several games coach Martinson will have enough healthy players so there will have to be a healthy scratch. Travis Brown will return so there will be a full compliment of six defensemen. That means one forward will have to sit.
- Wichita will have their leading scorer, Alexis Loiseau, back tonight. He missed both games against Allen last weekend because he was on loan to Binghamton (AHL). Vincent Arseneau has also returned to the Wichita line up and has had an immediate impact. Arseneau has been back for three games and already has three goals and two assists to his credit along with being selected the #1 star in two of the games.
- Officials scheduled for the game are referee Tudor Floru (#26) and linesmen Brian Bull (#49) and Rick Rivera (#59). Floru is a local referee who has officiated Allen games for many years going back to the CHL days.
OTHER COMMENTS
- Allen is once again in the precarious position of falling below the .500 mark if they lose tonight. The longest winning streak all season for the Americans has been three games and that has happened only one time.
- There are some streaks worth noting. Chad Costello has a point in seven straight games and a goal in the last four games. Spencer Asuchak has at least one point in six consecutive games. Joel Chouinard has just one minus game in the last eight. He leads the team in plus/minus with +14. David Makowski as been +1, +2, +1, +3 in the four games since his return. His +7 is second on the team after Chouinard.
- It is a busy schedule around the ECHL tonight as every team in the league will be in action with the exception of the Quad City Mallards.
- Going into the game tonight Allen has played the most games in the league (27) and Wichita the fewest (20).
DID YOU KNOW: If you go through all of the statistics, both team and individual, that the ECHL tracks there are close to 200 different categories. Here is everyone where Allen as a team or one of the players is first or tied for first. It is a short list compared to prior years and some of the numbers equate to worst not best.
Overall Points - Chad Costello (37)
Assists - Chad Costello (25)
Penalty Minutes - Derek Mathers (119)
Major Penalties - Derek Mathers (13)
Shots on Goal - Greger Hanson - (117)
Shutouts - Riley Gill (3)
Team Penalty Minutes - (491)
Team Shootout Attempts - 100% (two attempts for two goals)
Team Shootout Record Win Percentage - 100% (2-0)
Shorthanded Goals Allowed - (8)
Goals Allowed First Period - (29)
Shots Allowed First Period - (315)
Shots Taken Third Period - (307)
Current Goal Scoring Streak - Chad Costello (four games)
Current Point Scoring Streak - Chad Costello (seven games)
Most Saves Second Period - Riley Gill (27)
Fewest Team Shots Second Period - (2)
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