Allen Sweeps Utah, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Coach's Corner and a C'Mon Man Rant

 

It took a third period comeback from a 3-1 deficit and two overtime periods but the resilient Allen Americans dispatched Utah last night. The Americans beat the Grizzlies 4-3 to sweep the series (3-0) and become the first playoff team to advance to the second round. Allen awaits the winner of the Wichita vs Fort Wayne series in which the Komets lead 2-1 with game four tonight. The Americans have announced the the Western Conference Finals will open in Allen next Friday and Saturday (June 18 & 19).

 

- Allen got the fast start it was hoping for last night when Sam Laberge scored just 63 seconds after the opening puck drop. The lead was short lived, however, as Utah struck back with three unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission. With a two goal lead after the first period the odds were in Utah's favor. The Grizzlies were 8-1-0-0 during the regular season when leading after the first period. Allen was 3-8-0-0 when trailing after the first period. 

 

- There was no scoring in the second period but the Americans outshot Utah 10-5 and had the better chances. The stats were even more bleak however because Utah had the 3-1 lead at the second intermission. The Grizzlies had a record of 13-1-1-1 during the regular season when leading after the second period at home. Allen was 2-12-0-0 when trailing after the second period on the road.

 

- Allen defied the odds which is no surprise as the Americans have persevered time and time again. The Americans know if they keep grinding good things will happen. You can tell they have that attitude they are never out of a game. You don't win nine straight games without gaining a lot of confidence. 

 

- It was fitting the way the game played out in the third period and overtime. Josh Lammon, who is the best defensive forward on the team and led the Americans in plus/minus (+20) during the regular season, sparked the comeback. Josh has plenty of offense to go with his defensive skill and scored his 13th goal of the season at the 9:03 mark of the third period. Next up was Brett Neumann, who had the game winning goal in the first two games of the series, as he tied the score with less than five minutes remaining in the game. Over the last month Neumann has scored an average of .53 goals per game with eight goals in 15 games including three goals in three games in the playoffs.

 

- Allen was clearly the better team in the final period and overtime. The Americans outshot Utah 11-5 in the third period and 12-5 in the first overtime period. The most fitting goal of all came at the 7:27 mark of the second overtime when Les Lancaster, who earlier in the day was announced as the ECHL MVP runner-up, took a great pass from Corey Mackin, beat two defenders and buried the puck from the slot.

 

- Allen now moves on to the "final four" as the only team to sweep the first round series. Time for some rest and some practice time to continue the building blocks as the Americans prepare for the Western Conference Finals.

 

- As you might imagine with a first round sweep, Allen is all over the top of the ECHL playoff stats sheet. Corey Mackin is the points leader and assist leader with four assists and Brett Neumann leads in goals (3).

 

- There is a three way tie for top scoring defensemen in the playoffs with three points. Matt Register and Les Lancaster are two of the three.

 

- Jake Paterson is 2-0 with a .929 save percentage. C.J. Motte is 1-0 with a .931 save percentage. 

 

- The goals scorers for Allen were Sam Laberge (1), Josh Lammon (1), Brett Neumann (3) and Les Lancaster (1). 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-sweep-utah-with-double-overtime-win/

 

- Here is the game recap from the Utah Grizzlies: https://www.utahgrizzlies.com/en/grizzlies-news/grizzlies-season-ends-after-2-ot-loss  

 

COACH'S CORNER

"It was a great comeback win for the team last night. Anytime you play that long and put out that much effort you want to come out on top."

"I think our depth kicked in late in the game and through the overtime periods. I thought we had more energy in overtime and the shots reflected that."

"Sweeping the series provides several benefits. The players can get some rest, injured players have time to heal and we will have some time to practice after not practicing much in the last month."

"We will get home this afternoon and give the players the day off tomorrow. We will then practice Monday thru Thursday with lighter practices later in the week. 

"We have had to rely on video rather than practice time to work on improvements. Being able to have practice will allow us to work on the power play and other system issues."

OTHER COMMENTS

- With Allen moving on to the second round the other three series will be in action tonight. South Carolina is at Florida with the series tied 1-1. Indy is at Greenville with the Swamp Rabbits leading the series 2-1. Wichita is at Fort Wayne with the Komets leading the series 2-1. Here is the ECHL Today with previews: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2021/6/echl-today-june-12

DID YOU KNOW:  I know I am beating a dead horse but can't help but commenting after the Allen sweep against Utah last night. This is Steve Martinson's seventh trip to the playoffs in nine seasons since becoming the coach in Allen. One season Allen didn't make the playoffs. Last season Allen had the best record in the Western Conference and was first overall much of the season but no playoffs were held when the season was canceled. In his previous six trips to the playoffs, Martinson won the championship four times. With the series win last night Martinson has now coached in 18 playoff series as the Allen coach and has a record of 16-2. Can you imagine a general manager/coach with such a record hasn't been given a contract extension and will be out of a job in 18 days. Even worse can you imagine with all the things a general manager/coach has to do during the playoffs, Martinson has to spend his spare time organizing and packing up his belongings so he is ready to move right after the playoffs. Because he has not been given a contract extension Martinson was forced to give up his apartment. The break that goes with the sweep over Utah will not only give the players a rest but will allow Martinson to get all of his packing out of the way. As he said to me recently, "It is amazing how much stuff you build up over nine years." Talk about a distraction!  C'MON MAN! 

Allen vs Utah Game Three Preview, Coach's Corner, Playoff Update and Matt Register's Playoff History

 

Nothing beats game day when it is playoff hockey, especially when the Allen Americans have a chance to close out their best of five series against the Utah Grizzlies. Allen took care of business at home taking a 2-0 series lead with 3-1 and 4-2 wins. The series will now finish in Utah with games tonight (8:10 CDT) and if necessary on Saturday and Monday. 

 

- A 2-0 lead in a best of five series seems commanding as the Americans need just one win in the next three games to take the series. Best for Allen is to close out the series tonight and have a couple of days to rest waiting for the next opponent (Wichita or Fort Wayne). It is going to be more difficult if Utah gains momentum by winning at home tonight..  

- It is a small sample but the stats from the two playoff games show Allen with the lead in goals (7-3) but Utah with the edge in shots (59-45). Allen is 12.5% on the power play (1-8) while Utah is 14.3% (1-7).

- The Americans had slow starts in both games in Allen. They were outshot 26-14 in the first period but managed to score two goals and allow only two. Allen outscored Utah 2-0 in the second periods and 3-1 in the final periods. 

 

- Coach Martinson has only one extra player on the trip to Utah. Frank Marotte (healthy scratch), Phil Beaulieu (still recovering from injury but close) and Colby McAuley (injured on Wednesday but listed as day) stayed home. Dyson Stevenson (who is injured) is on the trip but will not play, Dyson will be behind the bench and help as an assistant coach. Here are the players on the trip:

Goalies 

#31 - C.J. Motte

#34 - Jake Paterson

 

Defensemen

#4 - Terrance Amorosa

#7 - Sam Ruopp

#14 - Les Lancaster

#16 - Darian Skeoch 

#18 - Kris Myllari

#20 - Ben Carroll

#43 - Matt Register

Forwards

#8 - Steve Owre

#9 - Brett Neumann 

#11 - Collin Shirley

#15 - Corey Mackin

#19 - Chad Butcher 

#22 - Tyler Sheehy

#26 - Spencer Asuchak    

#27 - Sam Laberge

#40 - Josh Lammon

#44 - Zane Franklin   

#77 - Scott Conway

 

- The two referees scheduled tonight are #25 Andrew Bruggeman and #7 Riley Yerkovich. Bruggeman worked three Allen vs Utah games during the regular season which had a combined total of 22, 38 and 38 penalty minutes. Yerkovich worked 10 Allen games this season with three being against Utah. The combined penalty minutes in those three games was 14, 28, and 38. My guess is this referee tandem will not let the players get away with what what was allowed to do in the first two games of the series.

 

COACH'S CORNER

"We didn't have a good start in either of the first two games. I will continue to talk to the team about having a better start tonight. A better start means a few thing we have to do from the opening puck drop."

"A better start means fewer turnovers in the first 10 minutes of the game."

"Early penalties change momentum in the game, something we need to avoid. An early penalty cost us in game two."

"A good start also means doing a better job at finishing checks early in the game. We need more hits in the first 10 minutes." 

"The players have to have a mind set that has them ready to play right from the start."

"I will continue to tweak our special teams both the power play and penalty kill. Playoff hockey is a game of adjustments reacting to all the variables in the game. It is easier to make adjustments at home when you have last change."

"Playoff hockey is no more than executing on all of the building blocks you have worked on all season."

"Jake Paterson will get the start in goal tonight."

OTHER COMMENTS

- All four playoff series will be in action tonight. Here is the ECHL Today with a preview of all four games: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2021/6/echl-today-june-11

 

-  Greenville is up 2-0 against Indy with a chance to close out the series at home. This series is 1-3-1 so Greenville will have two chances at home to win the series. If the series goes to a game five it will be in Indy.  

 

- Wichita and Fort Wayne are tied 1-1 with the final three games in Fort Wayne. Wichita was the best road team in the ECHL during the regular season so winning two of three in Fort Wayne is possible but will be a tough task. Wichita coach Bruce Ramsay, who was just named the ECHL Coach of the Year, has never won a playoff game at Memorial Coliseum in his long coaching career. With different teams and different leagues his record is 0-8.

 

- #1 overall top seed, Florida split two games in South Carolina and will be home for the rest of the series. Florida was 10-1-1-1 against South Carolina during the regular season but both teams are different in the playoffs because of the addition of some AHL players. 

 

DID YOU KNOW:  I have written about Matt Register's ECHL records many times in the blog. Matt is a three time ECHL Defenseman of the Year (2014, 2017 & 2018). In addition he finished 3rd in the voting this season, 4th in 2019 and 2nd in 2015. He wasn't in the ECHL last season as he spent the year with Iowa (AHL).   Here is the ECHL Stats post today that talks about Matt's amazing Kelly Cup playoff history:

 

Allen Americans defenseman Matt Register is playing in his 8th Kelly Cup playoffs. Matt has been in the playoffs in every season (when playoffs were held) he has been in the league playing for four different teams (Ontario, Allen, Colorado and Toledo). Matt won three straight Kelly Cups in 2016 (Allen), 2017 (Colorado), 2018 (Colorado) and finished second in 2019 (Toledo). He is the only defenseman to ever win the playoff MVP award (Colorado 2017). Matt holds every all time playoff scoring record for defensemen and is the ECHL's all-time playoff leader in games played (126) and assists (70). He is 2nd in points (96).

Allen Takes 2-0 Series Lead, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Coach's Corner, ECHL 2020-21 Player Streaks and More

 

Last night the Allen Americans took a 2-0 lead in their best of five series with the Utah Grizzlies. A crowd of 1844 at the Allen Event Center (AEC) watched the Americans beat the Grizzlies 4-2. It was another slow start for Allen who didn't get its first shot on goal until midway through the first period. Shots were 10-0 and the score was 1-0 before Allen was able to get a shot on goal. Allen righted the ship and by the time the first period ended the Americans narrowed the shot total to 11-9 and tied the score 1-1 on Matt Register's 26th playoff goal of his career (an all-time record for defensemen). 

- Allen took the lead in the second period, scoring two unanswered goals by Scott Conway and Brett Neumann. Conway's goal was on the power play, Allen's first of the series. Neumann's goal gave Allen a 3-1 lead and turned out to be the game winner, his second game winning goal in as many nights.

 

- Allen scored early in the third period to make the score 4-1 and it looked like the Americans would coast to victory but Utah struck back just 14 seconds later to cut the score to 4-2. Allen managed just three shots in the third period but played solid defense down the stretch to secure the victory.

 

- Goal scorers for Allen were Matt Register (1), Scott Conway (1) Brett Neumann (2) and Spencer Asuchak (2). Here are the video highlights from the Allen Americans YouTube channel:

 

- Here is the game recap from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/game-recap/americans-take-2-0-series-lead/  

- Here is the game recap from the Utah Grizzlies: https://www.utahgrizzlies.com/en/grizzlies-news/grizz-lose-4-2-in-game-2-of-playoff-series

 

- In the game last night Allen showed how depth is a strength of this team. Four different players had goals and eight different players had an assist. No players had more than one point.

 

- Allen has now won eight straight games and did not allowed more than two goals in any of them. Team defense and goaltending is what has carried the team during this win streak. The Americans have allowed just 11 goals in the eight games for an average of 1.40 per game.

 

- It was good to see the Americans capitalize on the power play. They were 1-3 last night after going 0-5 in game one.

 

- The box score doesn't reflect it in terms of penalty minutes (18 minutes combined total) but if you attended the game or watched it you saw a very physical game with plenty of big hits and scrums after many of the whistles. With Sam Laberge and Colby McAuley back in the lineup for the playoffs it adds both skill and toughness.     

- The series now shifts to Utah with the next game on Friday, If necessary game four will be Saturday and game five will be Monday. All games will start at 8:10 pm CDT.

 

COACH'S CORNER

"It was a big win last night after a poor start in the first half of the opening period. I liked they way the team responded."

"Any of our lines can score and our depth has been a big asset thus far."

"We have been playing well defensively and the goaltending from our two vets has been outstanding. We will be able to come back with a rested Jake Paterson on Friday."

"I won't know who will make the trip to Utah until I have a chance to check in with some players this morning." 

OTHER COMMENTS

- In the other series Wichita beat Fort Wayne 5-2 to gain a split at home. Wichita, like Allen, is the higher seed but has to play three of the five games in Fort Wayne because of facility availability. The Thunder had to play its two home games in a practice facility. The teams now head to Fort Wayne for games on Friday, Saturday and Monday if necessary. 

 

- Florida beat South Carolina 5-4 to gain a split in the first two games of the series. The Everblades had a 5-0 lead going into the third period but gave up four goals in less than 10 minutes but hung on for the win. The teams now head to Florida for games on Saturday, Sunday and if necessary, Monday. Florida is the only one of the top four seeds to get three games at home. The Indy vs Greenville series has game two tonight (in Greenville) with the Swamp Rabbits leading 1-0.

DID YOU KNOW: I posted the league's longest streaks in 2020-21 on the ECHL Stats page today. I remember Chad Costello having very long assists streaks in his days in Allen. Looked it up and Costello's longest assist streak was in 2015-16. Between February 26 and the end of the season on April 9th, Chad had at least one assist in every game, a streak of 19 straight games. In those 19 games Chad had 29 assists. Second place in longest assist steak that season was nine games. 

 

ECHL players with the longest streaks in 2020-21:

Goals

5 games (7) - Adam Pleskach, Tulsa

 

Assists

9 games (13) - Matthew Weis, South Carolina 

 

Points

13 games (17) - Anthony Beauregard, Wichita

 

Penalty Minutes

9 games (24) - Micheal Pelech, Wheeling

Allen Wins, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Coach's Corner, Playoff Idiosyncrasies and the 2016 Championship Anniversary

An indication of a good team is one that can win on nights it doesn't play its best. That was the case last night as an opening night playoff crowd of 1677 watched as the Allen Americans beat the Utah Grizzlies 3-1 in a game that wasn't decided until Colby McAuley scored an empty net goal with 24 seconds remaining.

- The most important play of the game came early when Matt Register made a perfect stretch pass from inside the circle to the opposite blue line that hit Spencer Asuchak in stride and sent him in alone. Asuchak made no mistake in giving Allen a 1-0 lead at the 2:15 mark of the first period. The first period was all down hill from that point as the Americans managed just two shots in the final 17 plus minutes. Allen was lucky to get out of the period tied 1-1 as Utah out shot them 15-5 and the Grizzlies had numerous grade A scoring chances that goalie Jake Paterson saved. 

- Allen played better the final two periods but still had too many turnovers trying to enter the offensive zone, rather than getting the puck behind the defense. There was no scoring in the second period. Brett Neumann scored the game winner at the 6:12 mark of the third period.

 

- Goals scorers for Allen were Spencer Asuchak (22), Brett Neumann (9) and Colby McAuley (9). The goal numbers are regular season and playoff goals combined. 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/paterson-leads-the-americans-over-utah-in-game-1/

 

- Here is the game recap from the Utah Grizzlies: https://www.utahgrizzlies.com/en/grizzlies-news/allen-defeats-utah-3-1-in-game-1

 

- Allen will have to play better tonight if it wants to head to Utah with a 2-0 lead. The Americans were outshot 30-23 last night, were 0-5 on the power play and had too many turnovers. These are areas that need improvement tonight.

 

- Today is the five year anniversary of Allen's last Kelly Cup. Allen won its last championship on June 9, 2016 beating Wheeling 4-2. What distinguished that team was an awesome power play. In that 4-2 win the Americans scored three power play goals (3-4) and an empty net goal. Allen's power play percentage for the entire 2016 Kelly Cup playoffs was 27.2% (28-103). Allen's current power play has plenty of skill at all positions, they just need to execute more consistently.

 

- To get you fired up for the game tonight, relive Allen's 2016 Kelly Cup championship which was five years ago today. Lots of familiar faces on the ice and in the stands. Oh how time flies!

 

COACH'S CORNER

"We will have to play better tonight. We had a slow start last night with too many turnovers. If their defense is standing up at the blue line we have to get pucks behind them."

"The analytics software we use had puck possession in the game even and Utah with the shot edge 25-23."

"When we made mistakes Jake Paterson was there to make big saves but that is what Jake has done for us all season."

"The game winning goal was a hockey 101 play with Shirley driving to the outside and using his long reach to shoot the puck toward net. Lammon went right to the net, took the defenseman with him and was able to deflect the puck. Neumann didn't hang out on the perimeter, he went to the front of the net like he does and put in the rebound."

"Our power play has to get better. I plan on tweaking a couple of things to help us get going."

"C.J.Motte will get the start in goal tonight."

"We came out of the game last night with no new injuries so the lineup will remain the same tonight."

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- Wichita and South Carolina had to play games in practice rinks which limited attendance. The attendance for the first playoff game of all four series averaged just 1325.

2258 - Indy

1677 - Allen

817 - Wichita

550 - South Carolina

 

- Three of the four top seeds, that should have home ice advantage, will not because of arena availability. The #1 seed in the West (Allen) will play three games in Utah after two games at home. The #2 seed in the West (Wichita) will play three games in Fort Wayne after two games at home. The #2 seed in the East (Greenville) will play three games in Indy in a series that started with a single game in Indy, then switches to Greenville for three games and then back to Indy for game five if necessary. Only Florida, the #1 seed in the East will get three home games. 

 

- Three of the four playoff series will play game two tonight. In addition to Utah at Allen, Florida is at South Carolina and Fort Wayne is at Wichita. Game two of the fourth series will be tomorrow night with Indy at Greenville.

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: Welcome to the ECHL playoffs. After the first game of all four series the winners were a #1 seed (Allen), a #2 seed (Greenville), a #3 seed (Fort Wayne) and a #4 seed (South Carolina). A shutout, an overtime game, no more than 3 goals by any team and no more than a 2 goal margin of victory in any game. Buckle up buttercup!

 

Great defense and great goalie play prevailed. The four games resulted in just one power play goal (South Carolina). The combined power play results were 1-32 (3.1%).

 

0-9: Greenville & Indy

0-8: Utah & Allen

0-5: Fort Wayne & Wichita

1-10: Florida & South Carolina

 

 

 

   

Allen vs Utah Series Preview, ECHL Team Save Percentages and More

 

 Before I dig into the series preview I want to mention the biggest change in the Kelly Cup playoffs this season. All series will be best of five series rather than best of seven. It makes for a condensed, fast paced playoffs that will be completed in no more than 26 days from start to finish. I remember Steve Martinson telling me many years ago the best teams win seven games series but that is not always the case in five game series. The opening game in a five game series is critical with the winner of that game winning the series close to 70% of the time. There is not much time to get things turned around if a team gets off to a bad start in a five game series.

- #1 seed Allen (45-23-3-1) enters the series as the favorite against the #4 seed Utah (35-26-5-6). Allen finished the regular season on a six game win streak to overtake Wichita for the top spot. Utah lost four of its last six games including two of three at home to end the season. 

- Allen and Utah are very familiar with each other having played 18 times during the regular season with Allen having a record of 10-6-1-1 against the Grizzlies. However, late in the season Utah beat Allen six of eight times including three of four in the last series in Utah which was two weeks ago. 

- Like several teams in the playoffs the Americans will not have home ice advantage though they are the #1 seed, because of arena availability. This could prove critical since Allen's points percentage at home during the regular season was the best in the conference (.764) but the road record was ranked #3 at .542. Allen gets two midweek games (tonight and Wednesday) and then will travel to Utah for the final three games (if necessary) on Friday, Saturday and Monday. It will be quick with five games in seven days with the winner decided no later than Monday.

 

- There is not a lot of room for error in a five game series so a fast start is imperative. Utah and Allen had a combined record when scoring first during the regular season of 55-16-4-1. In the 18 head to head games between these teams the team that scored first won 13 times (72%).

 

- With five games in seven days with travel to Utah included depth at the goalie position will be important. Allen has opted to have three goalies on the playoff roster and they have all played great with save percentages ranging from .917 to .927. While Jake Paterson has earned the top spot you can expect Allen to share the load. I would expect the two veterans (Paterson and C.J. Motte) to get the majority of the starts in the playoffs. The Americans enter the playoffs with the best trio of goalies in the league and are protected against injuries over the teams opting to have just two goalies on the playoff roster. Utah also has three goalies on the playoff roster with Parker Gahagen, who spent most of the year in the AHL the top goalie with a .929 save percentage.Iin the 17 games he played for Utah this season, his record was 10-4-1-0. Look for Gahagen to be the workhorse for Utah in this series.

 

- Special teams will be a key factor in the series and staying out of the penalty box (unless you take someone with you) will be important for both teams. Allen has the #2 ranked power play (20.5%) while Utah is ranked #7 (16.8%). In the 18 head to head games each team scored 12 power play goals. Overall penalty kill stats favor Utah slightly (84.2% vs 81.7%). Shorthanded goals could be a factor in the series as these are two of the best at creating offense while killing penalties. Utah scored 12 shorthanded goals in the regular season but allowed 10. Allen had 11 shorthanded goals but allowed a league low of three. Corey Mackin and Utah's Travis Barron tied for the ECHL lead in shorthanded goals with five.  

 

- Odds are you could see an overtime game in this series. One third (6-18) of the head to head games during the regular season went extra time with Allen winning four of the six. Overtime is different in the playoffs with no limit on how long it takes to break a tie. Allen was 5-3 in overtimes during the regular season while Utah was 4-5. 

 

- Allen got a big boost when Steve Martinson got Tyler Sheehy to return to Allen last week. Tyler looked better each game as he played himself into game shape in the last three games of the regular season. Since the beginning of last season (2019-20) Sheehy leads all ECHL players in points per game (minimum 40 games) averaging 1.33 points per game and .89 assists per game. Tyler could be a difference maker in this series.

 

- There is no doubt Allen's fate in this series will require the best tandem of defensemen in the league (Les Lancaster and Matt Register) to lead the way. Matt Register is the ECHL's all time playoff leader in games played (124) assists (69) and is second in points (94). Matt has three Kelly Cup rings and has a history of coming up big in the playoffs. Les Lancaster has had the best season by a defenseman in the last 20 years. These two players will have a lot to say both offensively and defensively how deep Allen goes in the playoffs. Register and Lancaster had more points (116) in the regular season than Utah's top two forwards (99 points).

 

- In addition to adding Tyler Sheehy and C.J. Motte to the roster recently Allen could get Sam Laberge (out since May 21) and Colby McAuley (out since April 25) back for this series. Two physical two way players with skill. They would be a big boost for the Americans.

 

- You can't talk about playoff hockey without mentioning the success coach Steve Martinson brings to the table. Championships in 10 of 25 seasons including four straight in Allen. There has been a dry spell the last few years with no playoffs last season, missing the playoffs in 2019 and exits in the first round (2018) and second round (2017). Martinson is as motivated as ever to do well in the playoffs after a regular season when so many obstacles were put in his way. I will always remember this quote from a player from the championship seasons, "Coach Martinson has a way of getting more out of his players in the playoffs than they think they are capable of giving. That is what makes him an outstanding coach." 

 

COACH'S CORNER

"I keep saying this and it is so important with a young team, just play your game and don't try and do too much. Approach it like any other game. Trying to do too much is not smart hockey."

"Jake Paterson will get the start in goal."

"Colby McAuley and Sam Laberge will be in the lineup which will add two skilled and physical players."

"We got a big bonus with Tyler Sheehy coming back. He led the league in average points per game last season and can do the same in the playoffs."

"They way Sam Ruopp and Terrance Amorosa have been playing as a top defensive pair it will give me flexibility on how I utilize Les Lancaster."

OTHER COMMENTS

- Here is a preview of this series written by Matthew Harding from The Sin Bin: https://thesinbin.net/western-conference-semifinal-preview-1-allen-americans-vs-4-utah-grizzlies/   

- Checkout this link with a series preview on all four first round series. Don't forget to click on the "series matchup sheet" tab to get even more info like Allen is 7-0 overall in overtime games in the ECHL playoffs: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2021/6/conference-semifinals-preview-2021-kelly-cup-playoffs

 

- If Allen doesn't win the Kelly Cup there are plenty of former Americans players that might including Jake Hildebrand and Kyle Neuber (Florida), Zach Pochiro, Nick Boka and Justin Kapelmaster (Fort Wayne), Frank DiChiara (Greenville) and Evan Weninger (Wichita).

- I was asked what Allen's all time record is in the month of June. It is not a big sample with a few games in 2015 and 2016 in the ECHL playoffs and then the end of the regular season just finished. The answer is the Americans all time record in the month of June is 10-3. 

- The referees, who will be working as a tandem in the playoffs after working alone in the ECHL all season, will be Casey Terreri (#14) and Alex Normandin (#26). Both worked Allen games during the regular season. In a series in Rapid City back in January, Terreri had a game where he called just four penalties for eight minutes and in the same series had a game where he called 72 minutes in penalties in the second period. A typical Allen vs Rapid City series. 

 

DID YOU KNOW: Goalie play is key in the playoffs. Here are the regular season team save percentages for the eight teams in the Kelly Cup playoffs with save percentage of top goalie:

 

.925 - Wichita (.931 Evan Buitenhuis)

.914 - Allen (.927 Jake Paterson)

.914 - Florida (.923 Jake Hildebrand)

.908 - South Carolina (.922 Hunter Shepard)

.905 - Greenville (.917 Ryan Bednard)

.904 - Indy (.914 Billy Christopoulos)

.898 - Utah (.929 Parker Gahagen)

.896 - Fort Wayne (.920 Dylan Ferguson)

Barry the Blogger's Playoff Matrix, Coach Martinson Talks Playoff Roster in Coach's Corner and the ECHL's Seven Ironmen

 

- Tomorrow I will look at the first round matchup between Allen and Utah but today I wanted to preview the four Western Conference teams in the playoffs and compare them in a way that may help determine who are the strongest teams based on regular season results. The "Barry the Blogger Matrix" has been spot on some seasons and so-so in others in predicting the first round winners. This matrix is a way to compare teams across a number of statistical categories and then come up with an overall score.

- Below is how the four teams in the Western Conference playoffs rank in 13 statistical categories based on regular season stats. Fairly easy to see the strengths and weaknesses of each team. 


Goals Scored (average per game)
3.33 - Fort Wayne
3.28 - Allen
3.07 - Wichita
2.88 - Utah

Goals Allowed (average per game)
2.67 - Fort Wayne
2.68 - Wichita
2.72 - Allen
3.04 - Utah

Goal Differential (goals scored minus goals allowed)
+40 - Allen
+34 - Fort Wayne
+28 - Wichita
-12 - Utah

Shots For (average per game)
32.59 - Fort Wayne
32.40 - Utah
31.40 - Allen
30.83 - Wichita

Shots Against (average per game)
25.22 - Fort Wayne
29.10 - Utah
31.67 - Allen
35.46 - Wichita

Shooting Percentage (goals as a percent of total shots)
10.3% - Allen
10.2% - Fort Wayne
9.9%  - Wichita
8.8%  - Utah

Power Play Percentage
25.9% - Fort Wayne
20.5% - Allen
16.8% - Utah
14.3% -Wichita

Penalty Kill Percentage
86.8% - Fort Wayne
85.4% - Wichita
84.2% - Utah
81.7% - Allen

Power Play Goals Scored
57 - Allen 
51 - Fort Wayne
47 - Utah
36 - Wichita

Plus/Minus
+151 - Wichita
+114 - Allen
+49 - Fort Wayne
-87 - Utah 

Goals Against Average (GAA)
2.60 - Wichita
2.62 - Fort Wayne
2.67 - Allen
2.90 - Utah

Save Percentage
.925 - Wichita
.914 - Allen 
.898 - Utah
.896 - Fort Wayne

Record Last 10 Games
7-2-1-0 - Allen
5-5-0-0 - Utah
4-5-0-1 - Fort Wayne
4-6-0-0 - Wichita


- Finally, I tallied up the rank for each team in every category to get an overall score. The lower the score the better. If you finished first in every category you would get a final score of 13. Here are the results:
24 - Fort Wayne  (1.85 average)
28 - Allen  (2.23 average)
37 - Wichita  (2.85 average)
42 - Utah  (3.23 average)


 - Based on the stats you would pick Allen over Utah and Fort Wayne over Wichita in the first round. This is just a fun way to look at stats and not very sophisticated. Two of the biggest issues it doesn't factor in is the differences between teams which can be small or large and how teams are performing as the playoffs begin. If you looked at these stats over the last six weeks rather the entire season you could see a very different picture.  

 

COACH'S CORNER

It is an important day as the playoff roster is due this afternoon (2:00 pm CDT). This morning I asked coach Martinson his thoughts as he puts together the playoff roster and prepares for the playoffs:

"I would like to keep everyone on the roster for the playoffs but as of this morning I expect to to leave one defenseman and one forward off the roster."

"I will select the players I think will give us the best chance to win the Kelly Cup even though some may not be available for the first round."

"We are taking team pictures today and everyone will be included. I won't make my final decisions until I have one more chance to talk to some players, the trainer and doctor."

"All three goalies will be on the playoff roster. Because of the condensed playoffs and unique circumstance if you have to add an emergency goalie (they can have no pro experience) it is not worth the risk to go with two goalies."

"I have been saying for a while with so many rookie and second year players, many added during the season, our team would improve as the season progressed. We are now playing our best hockey offensively, defensively and in goal."

"One of my messages to players as we start the playoffs is be ready, work hard, be aggressive but don't try to do too much, don't try to be the hero."

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL Stats post today recognized the Ironmen from this season who played in all of their team's games. At the top of the list is Les Lancaster who is one of just three players whose team played 72 games and they played in them all. If you follow the team you know Les played hurt several times this season but he was there for every game. Job well done!

The value of players that can be counted on each and every game can’t be overstated. Only five of the 14 teams that played this season had such a player. It is a rare feat in any year to not miss a game but in the COVID pandemic regular season just completed even more so. There were 584 players that played in the ECHL in 2020-21. Just seven (1.2%) played in everyone of their team’s games. Congrats to these Ironmen! 

 

Here are the seven players that didn’t miss a regular season game listed by the number of games their team played:

72 - Les Lancaster, Allen

72 - Aaron Luchuk, Orlando

72 - Tristin Langan, Orlando

71 - Avery Peterson, Rapid City

71 - Jay Dickman, Wichita

71 - Cam Clarke, Wichita

69 - Alex Kile, Florida

 

Allen Wins Sixth Straight to Finish #1 in the West, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Coach's Corner, Jersey Auction Results, Attendance and More

 

It was a storybook ending to an arduous regular season at the Allen Event Center (AEC) last night. Before the largest crowd of the season (2604) the Allen Americans shutout the Rapid City Rush 4-0. It was Allen's sixth straight win and vaulted them to the top of Western Conference standings. It took 72 games to get to the top as the Americans came from third place in the last two weeks. The win to clinch the #1 seed from the Western Conference was even sweeter because Allen's best players were the best players. 

 

- The #1 star was the Americans best goalie, Jake Paterson, who stopped all 30 Rapid City shots to earn his third shutout of the season. Jake improved his GAA to 2.31 and his save percentage to .927 which are both ranked #2 in the ECHL. 

 

- The #2 star was Corey Mackin who had a goal and assist. His goal was the 30th of the season as Corey became the eighth Allen player in franchise history to reach the 30 goal plateau. Corey finished the season ranked #2 in the ECHL in goals just one behind the leader. Corey led the ECHL in shorthanded goals (5) and his game winning goal last night was his sixth of the season which leads the Americans and is #3 in the league.

 

- The #3 star of the game last night was Les Lancaster who had two assists to add to his historic point totals. Les finished the season with 64 points which ranked him ahead of every forward in the ECHL except four. Lancaster had 12 more points than any other defensemen, twice as many goals as any other defensemen and led all defensemen in power play goals (10), power play points (26), shots (189) and shooting percentage (13.8%).  

- Goal scorers for Allen were Corey Mackin (30), Chad Butcher (7), Kris Myllari (3) and Kelly Bent (1). 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/how-the-west-was-won/

 

- Here is a more complete game recap from the Rapid City Rush: https://www.rapidcityrush.com/en/news/2021/6/paterson-stones-rush-with-33-save-shutout

 

- The Americans now must prepare for their first round playoff opponent, the Utah Grizzlies. I am sure many in the hockey world never thought the ECHL would complete a full season and still be playing playoff hockey into July. It is disappointing the top two seeds in the Western Conference (Allen and Wichita) will have only two home games in the first round because of arena availability. Wichita has it worse than Allen as the Thunder will be playing their two first round home games in a practice facility. 

 

- A reminder the playoff roster is due tomorrow afternoon (2:00 pm CDT) and there will be some tough decisions for Martinson. The playoff roster is limited is 24 players. The current Allen roster has 28 players so four will be left off the playoff roster. Forward Jesse Mychan and defenseman Nolan Kneen are out for the season so that gets the number to 26. Five players have been out with injuries; defensemen Darian Skeoch, Phil Beaulieu and forwards Dyson Stevenson, Sam Laberge and Colby McAuley. Martinson would like to have all of these players on the playoff roster but he needs to determine when they will be able to play and make a judgement on the cost/benefit if some of them won't be available until the second round or the finals. If all five injured players are on the playoff roster it means two healthy players will have to be left off. Stay tuned!

 

COACH'S CORNER

- I had the opportunity to spend some time with coach Martinson and the coaching staff after the game last night and while they were reflecting on the shutout win and celebrating finishing first in the Western Conference they were already planning for the playoffs. From talk of the playoff roster to the type of practices they will conduct to the type of video review of Utah games will take place were all subjects of conversation within the first half hour after Allen secured the top spot in the conference. The Americans will be well prepared and rested by the time Tuesday rolls around for game one of the playoffs.

 

- I have asked Martinson a couple of times about not having home ice advantage for the first round after earning it by being the #1 seed. He told me he was just glad the league has gotten through this season and has the opportunity to have a playoff which many leagues in North America were deprived of. He was also understanding that it was a tough year for arenas around the league with many concerts and other functions postpone or canceled. It is unrealistic to expect the arenas to hold open dates for hockey playoffs when the dates are unknown until just before the playoffs. Some teams are playing games at practice facilities.  

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- Had a question asking if the ECHL will be using two referees in the playoffs and the answer is yes. It is a difficult transition for both the referees and the players. For the players they will have to be more cautious of what goes on behind the play because a referee will now be watching. The transition is even tougher for the referees whose role is much different from a one referee to two referee system. According to one referee I talked to the biggest problem for the referees is to avoid looking at the play when it is not your responsibility. You don't want both referees looking at the play. It is hard to break that habit after working alone all season. 

 

- Right after the game the Allen Americans had an in person auction of the grey jerseys the team wore during the season and last night. Most of the jerseys (18) sold for between $300 and $550. Here are those that sold for $600+:

$2000 - Zane Franklin

$1050 - Jake Paterson

$850 - Les Lancaster

$750 - Kelly Bent

$650 - Spencer Asuchak

$600 - Frank Marotte

$600 - Josh Lammon   

 

- The two best crowds of the Allen season were last night (2604) and Friday night (2550). The Americans finished the season averaging 1859 over the 36 home games which ranked them #9 of the   14 teams playing. Allen reached 2000+ in attendance in 12 of 36 home games. The ECHL average attendance was 2275 per game ranging from a low of 987 (Wheeling) to a high of 3493 (Florida). 

- Allen missed out on the best points percentage in the ECHL when Florida won its final game of the season last night. Florida won the Brabham Cup as the regular season champion with a points percentage of .667. Allen finished second with a .653 points percentage. FYI, in the Americans four championship seasons they finished the regular season first (2012-13 CHL), third (2013-14 CHL), second (2014-15 ECHL) and sixth (2015-16 ECHL). 

 

- Being the best team during the regular season has not been a good indicator of playoff success. Many call it the curse of the Brabham Cup. Just five times since the ECHL began (33 seasons ago) has the winner of the Brabham Cup gone on to win the Kelly/Riley Cup. Here are the five times a team has won the regular season championship and playoff championship in the same season. Maybe Allen was fortunate not to surpass Florida last night.

 

2013-14 - Alaska

2010-11 - Alaska

2007-08 - Cincinnati

2005-06 - Alaska

1996-97 - South Carolina

 

 

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: Here are the ECHL teams playing the best going into the Kelly Cup playoffs based on their records over their final 10 regular season games. Final points percentage is in parenthesis: 

 

8-2-0-0: South Carolina* (.579)

7-2-1-0: Allen* (.653)

7-2-1-0: Greenville (.632)

6-3-1-0: Indy (.594)

5-1-3-1: Florida (.667)

5-5-0-0: Utah (.563)

4-5-0-1: Fort Wayne (.618)

4-6-0-0: Wichita (.634)

 

*Allen and South Carolina are currently on league best six game win streaks.