Disappointing OT Loss, Game Recap, Video Highlights, ECHL Goal Differential Stats and More

 

A shorthanded Allen Americans team had a great start and disappointing finish last night losing to the Tulsa Oilers 3-2 in overtime before a crowd of 1652 at the Allen Event Center (AEC). Playing short two forwards, Allen got off to a great start having a 7-1 shot advantage early in the first period. When Spencer Asuchak scored midway through the period it was a good sign as before last night the Americans were 15-2 when scoring first. Allen took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission which was another good sign. Prior to last night Allen's record when leading after the first period was 11-0-1-0. 

 

- Allen took a 2-0 lead at the 8:55 mark of the second period when Scott Conway, who was just re-signed by Allen, scored his second goal as an American. All looked good until late in the third period (19:01) when Tulsa scored a power play goal. Penalty killing has been a problem for Allen, ranked #12 with a home penalty kill percentage of 80.0%. It didn't help that the Americans missing two of their best penalty killers, Dyson Stevenson and Samuel Laberge. The second period ended with the Americans still in the lead 2-1 and prior to last night Allen's record when leading after the second period was 14-1-0-0 so there was reason for optimism. 

 

- It seems like it happens all of the time when the opponent scores right after a great opportunity at the other end of the ice. Josh Lammon had a breakaway and tried to go five hole on the Tulsa goalie. The move actually worked but as the puck came out behind the goalie it barely touched his pad and slowly deflected just outside the post. The Oilers went right down the ice and scored to tie the game 2-2. 

 

- Allen had so many grade A chances in the game but could never come up with the third goal. It was particularly frustrating for the Americans when they had a power play late in the third period but had trouble getting set up. Tulsa had the better opportunity shorthanded as each team had one shot on goal during the power play. 

 

- It took just 50 seconds into overtime for Tulsa to get the game winner. Allen had a shot blocked which turned into a rush for the Oilers. Two Allen players took the same Tulsa player and left a trailer wide open.

 

- It was a tough ending for a game in which Allen was in control early, lost the special teams battle and had a defensive breakdown in overtime that cost them the extra point. The Americans will now get ready for the rematch with Tulsa on Friday night.

 

- Goal scorers for Allen were Spencer Asuchak (5) and Scott Conway (3). Here are the video highlights from the Allen Americans YouTube Channel:

 

- Here is the game recap issued by the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/news/general/americans-open-the-homestand-with-a-3-2-ot-loss/

 

- Here is the game recap issued by the Tulsa Oilers: https://www.tulsaoilers.com/14383-2/  

 

- Coach Martinson played short two players last night and had to use an EBUG. There is not much time to bring in players but he has several options to get help for Friday night an beyond. Hopefully some of the players listed as day to day, both those that didn't play last night (McAuley & Laberge) and others who were dinged up in the game last night will be ready by Friday. 

- Allen's two most recent signings, Frank DiChiara and Scott Conway acquitted themselves quite well last night. Conway had a goal and DiChiara had an assist on both Allen goals.

OTHER COMMENTS

- Allen lost ground to Wichita last night as the Thunder beat Indy 3-2. With their win in Allen the Oilers moved into a tie with Utah for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Here are the current standings:

.821 - Fort Wayne

.671 - Wichita

.645 - Allen

.544 - Tulsa

.544 - Utah

.500 - Kansas City

.486 - Rapid City

 - Three ECHL teams have seven or more wins in their last 10 games and they are all in the Western Conference. First place Fort Wayne is 9-0-1-0. Fourth place Tulsa is 7-3-0-0. Last place Rapid City is 7-2-1-0.

- The attendance last night at the AEC was 1652 and Allen's average attendance for its 10 home games is now 1789 which ranks Allen #10 in average attendance. ECHL average attendance ranges from 3235 (Jacksonville) to 986 (Wheeling).

 

DID YOU KNOW: Just five ECHL teams have scored more goals than they have allowed. ECHL’s best goal differential (goals for minus goals allowed):

+45: Florida

+20: Indy

+20: Fort Wayne

+17: Allen

+17: Wichita

 

 

 Goal differential ranges from +45 to -30. Here are the nine teams with a minus goal differential:

-30: Wheeling

-18: Rapid City

-18: South Carolina

-13: Jacksonville

-11: Utah

-11: Kansas City

-7: Tulsa

-6: Greenville

-5: Orlando

 

 

Allen vs Tulsa Series Preview - More Injuries With Stevenson and Paterson Out, Scott Conway Re-Signed, Head to Head Stats and More

 

After the Allen roster was hit by four San Jose players being recalled it is time to look forward as the Americans begin a four game series in five days against Tulsa. The teams play in Allen tonight and Friday and then travel to Tulsa for games on Saturday and Sunday. 

- Coach Martinson has re-signed forward Scott Conway who played three games for the Americans on their  recent road trip to Greenville when a bunch of players were out with COVID. Conway was born in England and started his hockey career there but played junior hockey and college hockey in the United States. Teams that Conway played for include the Texas Tornado (NAHL) and Providence College (NCAA). Scott turned pro last season and played 13 games in the AHL (Providence Bruins) where he had five points (3G, 2A) and 39 games in Atlanta (ECHL) and had 33 points (17G, 16A). Conway will wear the #77 jersey tonight. 

 

- Martinson will hopefully sign another player before the weekend. The injury list has grown to four players so Allen will be playing one player short tonight. Colby McAuley is still day to day but will not play tonight. Dyson Stevenson is out with an injury that typically takes a few weeks to heal, Nolan Kneen will be put on the injured reserve and Jake Paterson is also out with an injury. Allen will have Justin Kapelmaster in goal and have an EBUG (Thomas Hodges) tonight.

- Here is the updated Allen roster which now has two goalies (not counting the EBUG), seven defensemen and 12 forwards:

 

Goalies 

#34 - Jake Paterson (injured)

#39 - Justin Kapelmaster

 

Defensemen 

#5 - Phil Beaulieu

#7 - Kayle Doetzel

#14 - Les Lancaster 

#20 - Ben Carroll

#25 - Nolan Kneen (injured)

#43 - Matt Register

#47 - Will Lochead

Forwards

#10 - Conner Bleackley

#11 - Kameron Kielly

#15 - Corey Mackin

#17 - Colby McAuley (injured)

#26 - Spencer Asuchak    

#27 - Sam Laberge

#29 - Jesse Mychan

#37 - Frank DiChiara

#40 - Josh Lammon

#44 - Zane Franklin

#71 - Dyson Stevenson (injured)

#77 - Scott Conway 

- Tulsa is a resurgent team after a rough patch in January when it lost eight straight games. Since the beginning of February the Oilers are 10-4 and last week they beat Wichita four straight including three times in Wichita. The Oilers will be missing their #1 scorer (Danny Moynihan) and their #4 scorer (Charlie Sampair) who were loaned to Tulsa's AHL affiliate, San Diego Gulls, yesterday.

 

- Here is a comparison of the records for Allen and Tulsa. Overall Allen is 19-10-1-0 and Tulsa is 16-14-2-1. Allen's home record is 7-1-1-0 while Tulsa's road record is 10-7-1-0. In the last 10 games Allen is 5-5-0-0 and Tulsa is 6-4-0-0. 

 

- The game tonight will be the fifth of 13 between Allen and Tulsa this season. Allen is 3-1 in the first four games and the last time these teams played on January 24 in Tulsa the Americans, with Jake Paterson in goal, shutout the Oilers 5-0. The head to head totals have Allen with the advantage in goals (17-6) but Tulsa with the advantage is shots (148-145).

- Tulsa leads the league in average shots per game (34.61) but they have the worst shooting percentage in the ECHL at 6.5%. Allen is ranked #5 in average shots per game (31.90) but has a shooting percentage of 10.7%.

 

- Special teams will play a big role in this series and there is a contrast between these teams. Overall stats show Allen with the better power play, ranked #4 at 17.8% while Tulsa is last (#14) at 12.3%. The opposite is true on the penalty kill with Tulsa ranked #4 (86.2%) while Allen is ranked #11 (80.9%).

 

- In their four head to head games Allen is 3-13 (23.1%) on the power play and Tulsa is 2-8 (25.0%)

 

- It wouldn't be a series preview without the scoring first stats. Leaguewide the team that scores first has a points percentage of .773 with a record of 156-37-19-6. Allen is one of the best in the league at .882 and a record of 15-2-0-0. Tulsa's point percentage when scoring first is .794 with a record of 13-3-1-0. FYI Allen scored first in all four games against Tulsa this season and won three of them.

- Allen is 2-1 in overtimes and 2-0 in shutouts. Tulsa is 3-2 in overtimes and 1-1 in shootouts. 

 

- If you are attending the game tonight or watching on Flo Hockey it will be the first chance to see Frank DiChiara in action. Frank led Reading in scoring last season averaging a point a game with 59 points (22G, 37A). He wears #37 and I would guess he will be on a line with his Reading teammate, Corey Mackin, who is Allen's leading scorer this season. 

OTHER COMMENTS

- In my ECHL Stats post this morning I talked about how teams were using more goalies this season because so many goalies have been called up or loaned to AHL/NHL teams. Goalie by committee is the rule more than the exception this season. The top two teams in team save percentage have used four different goalies. Wichita leads the league with a team save percentage of .931 followed by Florida at .926. Allen is ranked #3 with a team save percentage at .914. Here are the four goalies that have played for Allen, ranked by save percentage with games played in parenthesis:

.931 - Jake Paterson (9 games)

.926 - Zach Sawchenko (7 games)

.915 - C.J. Motte (5 games)

.902 - Justin Kapelmaster (10 games) 

Kansas City takes the award for doing the best with the most goalies. The Mavericks have a team save percentage of .912, which is fifth best in the ECHL, and they have used eight different goalies.

 

- Saw this posted by the Americans President Mike Waddell which puts the Allen home games in perspective. "We've got five home games over the next 10 days compared to only nine home games over the last 375 days." 

 

- There are three games on tap in the ECHL tonight. One of the other games is Indy at Wichita. Allen fans may be scoreboard watching as an Allen win in regulation and Wichita loss in regulation would move the Americans into second place in the Western Conference.

 

- You may have seen the information released by the Allen Americans last week that the COVID -19 safety precautions that have been in effect will stay that way for the remainder of the 2020-21 season. That decision was made by the Allen Americans not by the city of Allen or the Allen Event Center and is consistent with what the other indoor pro sports teams in the DFW are doing.

 

DID YOU KNOW: The Americans will be wearing specialty jerseys tonight to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Have to say I have the soul of an Irishwoman as my mother was born and raised in a small seaside community (Dalkey) just south of Dublin. An orphan, she grew up a feisty but caring person who became a nurse, met my dad during World War II and married him. Everyone she met was her friend and she would help anyone in need. She is missed everyday but even more so today. We had a lot of Irish Blessings around the house growing up but this one is apropos in these times, "May the blessings of each day be the blessings you need the most." Happy St. Patrick's Day!   

Allen Roster Update - Injuries, Signings and San Jose Assigns Garreffa, Topping, Hrabik and Reddekopp to Orlando Solar Bears

 

When you write a blog each and every day there are days when you are excited about what is happening with the Allen Americans on and off the ice and there are other days when it is more depressing than exciting. Today is one where the words are harder to come by and the hill to climb has become a bit steeper. However, I have heard coach Martinson talk about how every adversity creates opportunity elsewhere, and the next man up approach is in play.

 

-  The first shoe to drop yesterday morning when I talked to coach Martinson was the injury Nolan Kneen suffered in Utah that will see him out of the lineup for some time. You get used to dealing with injuries but sometimes they are more impactful than others. Another player is getting checked out today and could miss the game on Wednesday. I guess when it rains, it pours.

 

- The second shoe to drop was more of a jaw dropper when Martinson shared that the four players assigned to Allen by San Jose were being recalled. Martinson also shared that the San Jose players will not be returning to Allen. I waited to post the blog until I saw something official and that is now out. Garreffa, Topping, Hrabik and Reddekopp have been assigned by San Jose to the Orlando Solar Bears. Here is the press release from Orlando: https://www.orlandosolarbearshockey.com/en/news/2021/3/solar-bears-sign-lightning-draft-pick-kris-oldham

 

- My reporting is this change had nothing to do with what was happening on the ice but San Jose, who does not have a formal ECHL affiliation, made the decision to move their players from Allen to Orlando. My understanding is the players are already in Orlando and are available when the Solar Bears take on Florida at home tonight.  

 

- With the sudden loss of four players being recalled and the Kneen injury Martinson has already signed a forward that arrived in town last night and will sign a defenseman today. You can bet general manager Martinson is working the phones

 

- Forward Frank DiChiara who was recently signed by Allen will be in the lineup on Wednesday but Colby McAuley is still listed as day to day. 

 

- I will have more details in the game preview tomorrow.

 

  

Allen Loses 5-1, Kneen Injured, Looking Ahead, PIMS History and More

 

- Nothing went right for the Allen Americans yesterday in the third game of their series in Utah. The final score was 5-1 and reflects the nature of the game. Utah scored first and held a 1-0 lead after the first period. Allen tied the score 1-1 early in the second period on Spencer Asuchak's fourth goal of the season but by the second intermission the Grizzlies had a 3-1 lead. Two more Utah goals in the third period made the final score 5-1. Here is a recap of all things gone wrong for Allen in the game:

Allen gave up the first goal of the game 

Allen lost the first period 1-0

Allen lost the second period 2-1

Allen lost the third period 2-0

Allen was out shot 32-23

Allen was 0-3 on the power play

Allen was 1-3 (67%) on the penalty kill 

- To make matters worse defenseman Nolan Kneen was injured in the game and is headed for the injured reserve list. 

- Despite the poor performance yesterday it was a successful road trip with the Americans coming away with four of a possible six points. It has to be concerning to coach Martinson that the team was out shot in all three games and the total for the series favored Utah 116-73. 

- Here is the game recap issued by the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/news/general/americans-drop-the-final-game-in-utah/

 

- Here are the video highlights from the Allen Americans YouTube Channel:

 

- The Americans fly home this morning and will prepare to take on Tulsa four times this week, twice at home (Wednesday & Friday) and twice on the road (Saturday & Sunday). Tulsa is all of a sudden one of the hottest teams in the league having just beat Wichita four straight including three times in Wichita. 

- It could be a tough week for the Allen roster with Kneen already out and other changes on the way. Flexibility has been a theme all season as Steve Martinson has had to adapt to whatever comes his way. Stability has become a foreign word.

 

- As good as the Allen Americans have been offensively this season averaging 3.76 goals per game to go along with one of the best team save percentages in the league (.914) they have also allowed more shots per game than all but two ECHL teams. The Americans just won two of three games in Utah but that series highlighted a need by the leadership of the team to make more of a commitment to defend, hold shots down and keep pucks to the outside. Allen has scored more goals (104) than any team in the Western Conference and has a +18 goals differential which is #2 in the conference. However, if as a team the Americans don't make more of a commitment to defend they will continue to be a .500 team which they have been since the end of January with a record of 7-7-1-0. 

 

OTHER COMMENTS

 - Despite the loss yesterday Allen didn't lose any ground to Wichita who lost their fifth straight game. Allen and Wichita are currently in a battle for the second playoff spot in the Western Conference, trailing Fort Wayne who has a point percentage of .821. The Thunder are currently in second place (.662) followed closely by Allen (.650). 

 

- The Americans will now start making up the gap in home games played, compared to the other teams in the conference. Allen has played nine home games and 21 road games. Wichita has played 21 home games, Utah 18 home games and Tulsa 15 home games. A great opportunity for the Americans to improve their points percentage.

 

- Allen has had a few scrums during warmups over the years the most famous being the brawl that erupted with Wichita on New Year's Eve in 2017 at the AEC. I was recently going through the ECHL 2020-21 Rule Book and noticed a new provision that was added this season.

"The coach of the offending team whose player becomes involved in a pregame altercation and deemed to be the instigator of the altercation, will be fined one thousand dollars($1000)and automatically suspended for a minimum of two (2) games."

 

- The two hottest teams in the Western Conference are first place Fort Wayne who is 9-0-1-0 over the last 10 games and last place Rapid City who is 7-1-1-0 over the last 10 games and has won five straight games. 

 

- Last season three teams (Norfolk, Wheeling, Wichita) were not involved in a shootout all season. This season is less than 50% complete an already every team has been involved in at least one shootout. The leaders for most shootouts are South Carolina with six (4-2), Florida with five (3-2) and Utah with five (0-5). 

 

DID YOU KNOW: Average penalty minutes per game in the ECHL this season is 12.98 ranging from 17.38 (Florida) to 10.19 (Kansas City). As a comparison last season the ECHL average was 12.87 minutes ranging from 16.84 (Fort Wayne) to 8.51 (Wheeling). Here is Allen's average penalty minutes per game since joining the ECHL. Total penalty minutes and ECHL rank are in parenthesis:

13.07 - 2020-21  (392, #6)

12.02 - 2019-20  (745, #18)

23.49 - 2018-19  (1691, #1)

19.60 - 2017-18  (1411, #1)

19.89 - 2016-17  (1432, #1)

16.51 - 2015-16  (1189, #5)*

22.83 - 2014-15  (1644, #1)*

*Won Kelly Cup

    

Another Road Win For Allen, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Martinson's Comments, Game Three Preview, Rookie Scoring Leaders and More

 

The Allen Americans beat the Utah Grizzlies last night 5-4 in overtime before a crowd of 2345 at the Maverik Center. Co-Captain Spencer Asuchak described the game best in his post game interview, "A bit of an ugly one tonight but the boys found a way. Good teams find ways to win when they don't play their best, I think that makes this a big one for us." 

 

- Unlike their win on Friday night when Allen had to make a comeback, last night it looked good early for the Americans. Allen scored first and its record when scoring first is 15-2. The Americans led 1-0 after the first period and their record with a first period lead 11-0-1-0. When Allen took a 3-0 lead midway through the second period it looked like an easy win. Not the case as the wheels came off, Utah took complete control and between the 17:13 and 18:34 mark of the second period, just 81 seconds, the Grizzlies scored three times. When the second period ended Utah had tied the score 3-3 and out shot Allen 23-9. The 23 shots allowed were the most first period shots allowed in the ECHL this season.

 

- When Utah scored its fourth unanswered goal to take a 4-3 lead early in the third period (2:22) it looked like a bad ending for Allen. However, the resilient Americans bounced right back with a Corey Mackin power play goal 89 seconds later to tie the score 4-4 and give Allen hope. Over the final two periods Allen was out shot 37-17 but with the help of goalie Jake Paterson was able to get the game to overtime.

 

- It didn't take long in overtime for the Americans to end the game. Phil Beaulieu carried the puck up ice and made a great pass to Joe Garreffa who buried the game winner. It wasn't a surprise that Allen won once the game went to overtime. Utah is the worst team in the ECHL in games that go extra time with a points percentage of just .100 (1-4 in OT, 0-5 in SO). Allen on the other hand is #2 in extra time points percentage at .800 (2-1 in OT, 2-0 in SO).

 

- I said in the game preview yesterday the Americans needed more than the 22 shots they had in the Friday game if they expected to win on Saturday. The good news is Allen had 28 shots last night but the bad news is they allowed a season high 51 shots on goal. 

 

- Two things that helped Allen was scoring first and winning the special teams battle. The Americans were able to send the game to overtime when they tied the score 4-4 on the only power play goal of the game. The penalty kill continued to shine killing all four Utah power play opportunities including 35 seconds of 5-on-3. The Americans have not allowed a power play goal to Utah, the #2 ranked power play in the ECHL, in the last three games (0-12).

 

- The goals scorers for Allen were Dyson Stevenson (3), Samuel Laberge (8), Les Lancaster (8), Corey Mackin (13) and Joe Garreffa (9). Here are the video highlights from the Allen Americans YouTube Channel:  

   

 

- Here is the game recap from the Allen Americans:  https://allenamericans.com/news/general/americans-win-wild-affair-beating-utah-in-overtime/

 

- Here is the game recap from the Utah Grizzlies:  https://www.utahgrizzlies.com/en/grizzlies-news/grizzlies-lose-a-wild-5-4-ot-game  

GAME THREE PREVIEW

- It will be the survival of the fittest in game three of this series this afternoon with will over skill being the primary determinant of the winner. Teams are used to playing three games in three days but this series stretches the limit. With a 1:10 pm local start time this afternoon and the beginning of daylight savings thrown in for good measure, puck drop from game one to puck drop for game three in this series will only be 41 hours. The game last night ended at midnight Allen time if you factor in daylight savings time. If you figure a couple of hours minimum for post game stretching, shower, getting something to eat and winding down along with all the pregame activities today it makes for a short period of time for rest, recuperation and and pregame activities. From the time of the final buzzer last night to the puck drop this afternoon it will be less than 14 hours. 

 

- Coach Martinson will get some fresh legs in the lineup today with Justin Kaplemaster getting the start in goal after Jake Paterson was peppered for a total of 84 shots the past two nights. Kayle Doetzel and Ben Carroll were healthy scratches the first two games so they will be inserted in the lineup today and will help. Three things Martinson will be looking for today are fewer turnovers, more blocked shots (Utah getting too many on net) and doing a better job of getting their own shots thru.

 

- It is difficult to see the Americans winning today if they continue to be out shot by a wide margin. Allen has a winning record this season when being out shot by its opponents (10-6-1-0) but Utah has out shot Allen in the first two games by such a wide margin (84-50) it is hard to see the Americans winning a third game in this fashion.

 

- A good start will be key this afternoon since both teams will be exhausted. Neither team could hold a lead in the first two games but today an early lead will more likely hold up.

 

- Allen can thank special teams play for a big part of the wins on Friday and Saturday so a big key today will be can they keep up the excellent special teams play. If they do they will have a chance to sweep this series.

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- Having attended several practices recently it seems like the current Allen roster is a special group that plays for each other and enjoys the game. Since Allen added the four players from San Jose during the cold snap and snow/ice storm the team has won four of the last five games. The team has averaged five goals per game and that is a fun style to play. Whenever you get the feeling that everything is getting better and better something always changes. I hope I am wrong.

 

- Wichita lost its third straight game at home to Tulsa last night by a score of 4-1. The teams traveled to Tulsa after the game and will play again this afternoon. Fort Wayne beat Wheeling again (3-2) to widen its lead in the standings. Here are the compete standings. You will notice Fort Wayne pulling away and the race for the fourth playoff spot tightening.

.821 - Fort Wayne

.682 - Wichita

.672 - Allen

.530 - Utah

.516 - Tulsa

.500 - Kansas City 

.472 - Rapid City

 

- ECHL rookie scoring leaders with games played in parenthesis:

24 points - Matthew Boucher, Utah (28)

22 points - Jay Dickman, Wichita (33)

22 points - Matt Alfaro, Wheeling (31)

20 points - Joe Garreffa, Allen (17)

18 points - Greg Meireles, Greenville (24)

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: The Allen Americans have the unenviable distinction of being on the ECHL leader board for the most shots allowed this season in all three periods and these all happened in the last eight games.

First period - Allen is #1 allowing 23 shots against Kansas City on February 14 and also #2 allowing 22 shots to Greenville on February 27.

Second period - Allen is #1 allowing 23 shots to Utah last night

Third period - Allen is #2 allowing 21 shots to Greenville on February 26.     

Allen's Comeback Win, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Martinson's Comments, Rematch Preview, ECHL's Best Goals Per Game Scorers, Historical Shooting Percentages and More

 

It didn't look good early for the Allen Americans last night in the opening game of their three game series in Utah. The Americans gave up the first goal of the game just three minutes after puck drop and were down 2-0 midway through the first period. From that point on the Americans did not give up another goal and scored six of their own, two in each period, to defeat Utah 6-2 before a crowd of 1916 at Maverik Center. 

 

- The game wasn't as one sided as the final score as the Americans scored six goals (one empty net goal) on only 22 shots which is an almost unheard of shooting percentage of 27.3%. For the season the Allen shooting percentage is 10.6%. Utah out shot Allen 33-22 including 17-4 in the third period when goalie Jake Paterson, playing for the first time in a month after spending time on the COVID list, stood tall saving all 17 shots. Jake doesn't qualify for the league stats as you need 540 minutes played and he has only 487 but when he does qualify he currently has the #2 ranked save percentage in the league (.933).

 

- In the series preview, special teams were the top key to success this weekend. The team came through in flying colors last night with the best special teams effort of the season. The power play was 2-5 and had several other great chances. It was only the fourth time this season (28 games) Allen scored two power play goals in a game. The penalty kill was perfect (0-5) against the #2 ranked power play in the ECHL. It was the first time all season the Americans gave up 5+ power play opportunities and didn't allow a goal. One game does not equal a turnaround but it is clearly a step in the right direction and was an area of emphasis at practice this week.

 

-  Jesse Mychan led the Americans with his 13th, 14th and 15th goals of the season.  It was just the seventh hat trick in the ECHL this season. Allen's other goal scorers were Krystof  Hrabik (2), Kyle Topping (1) and Dyson Stevenson (2). Here are the video highlights from the Allen Americans YouTube Channel:

 

 - Here is the game recap issued by the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/news/general/americans-score-six-straight-and-beat-utah-6-2/

 

- Here is the game recap from the Utah Grizzlies:  https://www.utahgrizzlies.com/en/grizzlies-news/utah-falls-6-2-on-friday-night-at-maverik-center

 

- Kyle Topping scored his first goal as an Allen American and also had the primary assist on Jesse Mychan's first goal. Topping has eight points (1G, 7A) in five games since joining the Americans and leads the team in average points per game (1.60).

- Matt Register and Les Lancaster both added to the their point totals last night. They are tied with 20 points which is third in the league by defensemen. 

- Jesse Mychan's hat trick move him into second place among ECHL goal scorers. His 15 goals are one behind the co-leaders.

 

- Talked to coach Martinson this morning and he was pleased with how the team played a physical game and also mentioned the success of the special teams. It was for the most part the same players on special teams, they just executed better. Martinson hadn't finished going through the video but felt the team played well the first 10 minutes of the game even though they fell behind 2-0. Jake Paterson will be in goal again tonight. 

- To be successful tonight Allen needs to continue the physical play and the good work on special teams. What needs improvement is getting more shots on goal. It is no stretch to say the Americans will not have a 27.3% shooting percentage again. It is difficult to win games when you only generate 22 shots on goal and give up 33 shots like Allen did last night. The 22 shots Allen managed last night were the fewest against Utah all season. Finally, as always Allen needs to score the first goal of the game. Last night was the first time in the six games Allen and Utah have played this season that the team that scored first didn't win.

OTHER COMMENTS

- Allen gained some ground on Wichita who lost its second straight home game to Tulsa. Last night the Oilers beat the Thunder 4-3 in overtime. The teams play again tonight in Wichita and then travel to Tulsa for a fourth straight game tomorrow afternoon.

 

- Fort Wayne keeps winning, beating Wheeling 3-2 in overtime last night. Fort Wayne has played 13 games since they returned to play a month ago and eight of them have been against Wheeling, the last place team in the league. The Komets record against the Nailers is 6-0-1-1 and they have won six straight against Wheeling.

 

- Fort Wayne's point percentage is now .806 and it is the only team above .800. The Western Conference playoff spots are now occupied by Fort Wayne (.806), Wichita (.703), Allen (.661) and Utah (.531). 

 

- There are six games on tap around the ECHL tonight. Here is a preview on all of them: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2021/3/echl-today-march-13  

- Jesse Mychan leads all ECHL players in average goals per game (10 goal minimum). Here is my post from ECHL Stats this morning.

Averaging .5 goal per game is quite a feat and equals 36 goals over a full season. Here are the ECHL players averaging over a half a goal per game (minimum 10 goals):

 

.71 - Jesse Mychan, Allen

.61 - Danny Moynihan, Tulsa

.61 - Austin Fyten, Wheeling

.58 - Jake Cougler, Orlando

.55 - Cole Ully, South Carolina

.55 - Nic Pierog, Indy

 

Zach Pochiro (Fort Wayne) doesn’t qualify for this list as he only has eight goals. However, over his 11 games played Pochiro is averaging .73 goal per game.

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: Allen's shooting percentage last night was 27.3% and for the season the Americans shooting percentage is 10.6%. Here is Allen's shooting percentage for each season since joining the ECHL:

11.9%   2019-20
9.2%     2018-19
10.5%   2017-18
12.9%   2016-17
10.6%   2015-16
12.2%   2014-15

It may not look like a big difference when looking at the percentages but over the course of a typical season a one percentage point difference is about 25 goals.

 

 

Allen vs Utah Series Preview and ECHL Leaders in Games, Points, Goals and Assists Since 2018-19

 

- It is finally game day for the Allen Americans as they haven't played since March 3 when they beat their opponent tonight, Utah, at home 5-3.  

 

- The game tonight will be the sixth of the season between Allen and Utah but it is only the beginning. In a schedule that is hard to figure out the Americans will play Utah 18 times (8 home, 10 away), more than they play Wichita (11 times) and Tulsa (13 times). Given the pandemic, it is a surprise that Allen is playing Tulsa and Wichita fewer times than normal while playing Utah and Rapid City (16) more times than normal. Playing one team (Utah) 18 times in a season is an all time record. 

- Allen's overall record is 17-9-1-0 (.648) and Utah's overall record is 13-10-3-5 (.548). The Americans road record is 10-8-0-0 and Utah's home record is 8-3-1-3. 

 - Allen has played well against Utah with a record of 4-1 against the Grizzlies this season. The last time the Americans were in Utah they won two of three games. Over their last 10 games both teams have almost identical records with Allen at 4-5-1-0 and Utah at 4-5-0-1. More recently Allen has won two of its last four games including a win over Utah while the Grizzlies have lost four straight games (all on the road).

- Just like this weekend, Allen visited Utah for three games in three days at the end of January. The Americans won the first game 5-2 and the second game 3-2 in a shootout before losing game three 4-3.

 

- Head to head stats (5 games) show Allen with the edge in goals (18-12) but Utah with the edge in shots (153-135). Allen's power play is 3-19 (15.8%) against the Grizzlies. Utah's power play is 5-19 (26.3%) against the Americans.

 

- Special teams are always a big key but even more so in this three game series against Utah. The challenge will be how Allen's penalty kill unit can stop Utah's power play that is the #2 ranked power play in the league converting on 27.0% (17-63) of its opportunities at home. Allen has one of the worst penalty kill percentages in the league with a road percentage of just 78.1% (14-64). On the flip side Allen has the advantage. The Americans road power play is 13-70 (18.6%) compared to Utah's home penalty kill of 12-52 (76.9%).

 

- The best predictor of who will win tonight and every night is scoring the first goal. The team that scored first has won all five games these teams have played this season. Allen's point percentage when it scores first is .875 with a record of 14-2-0-0 while compared to Utah at .692 with a record of 8-3-1-1. 

 

- Two of the previous five games between these teams went extra time with both ending in Allen victories in shootouts. If the game goes beyond regular time tonight the odds favor the Americans. Allen is 1-1 in overtime games and 2-0 in shootouts. Utah is 1-3 in overtime games and 0-5 in shootouts. 

 

- Utah has one the best power plays in the ECHL but struggles scoring even strength. Allen scores 76% of its goals even strength. Compare that to the Grizzlies who score 62% of their goals even strength.  

- Allen's roster will be as healthy and strong as it has been in several weeks. The players recently assigned by San Jose have had a chance to get in some practices in Allen and all of the players that were out with COVID have returned. I could see coach Martinson rotating players this series so more will be rested and just play two of the three games. Especially those players coming back from COVID.

 

- Utah had recently lost several players to its AHL affiliate (Colorado) but they got three forwards assigned by Colorado yesterday; Ty Lewis, Nick Henry and Travis Barron. Lewis has played five games for Utah this season and has seven assists. Henry played two games with Utah in February and had four goals in two games. This is Barron's first assignment to Utah. To make room for these players from Colorado the Grizzlies released former Allen forward, Braylon Shmyr.

 

- Some of the top rookies in the ECHL will be in action in this series. Utah's Matthew Boucher leads all rookies in points (22) and Allen's Joe Garreffa is second among all ECHL players in average points per game at 1.13 (minimum 15 games). Utah's 19 year old rookie defenseman, Hunter Skinner, the 4th round pick of the New York Rangers in 2019, is tied with Les Lancaster for most goals in the ECHL by defensemen (7). Allen's rookie defenseman, Phil Beaulieu, has only played 18 games but is #6 in points (8), #5 in plus/minus (+6) and #7 in points per game (.44) among rookie defensemen.

 

DID YOU KNOW:  ECHL leaders in games, points, goals and assists since the start of the 2018-19 season with current/last ECHL team:

 

GAMES

165 - Adam Pleskach, Tulsa

162 - Micheal Pelech, Indy

161 - Andrew Cherniwchan, South Carolina

161 - Frank Hora, Greenville 

 

POINTS

146 - Jesse Schultz, Greenville

142 - Adam Pleskach

135 - David Vallorani, Brampton

134 - Micheal Pelech 

 

GOALS

70 - Nic Pierog, Indy

64 - Adam Pleskach

62 - Andrew Cherniwchan

60 - Spencer Watson, Indy

 

ASSISTS

97 - Jesse Schultz

97 - Micheal Pelech

86 - Shawn Szydlowski, Fort Wayne

86 - Shane Berschbach, Toledo