Americans Win, Interesting Stats & Other Thoughts

Jim McKenzie Returns To Americans

The Americans regained sole possession of first place in the Central Hockey League last night with a 4-2 victory over their cross town rival Ft. Worth Brahmas. There was a good crowd at the Nytex Centre (2206) to see long time CHL & Brahmas player Chad Woollard honored as he was playing his last game before retiring.

- It was great to see Jim McKenzie back in an Americans jersey flying around the ice. Welcome back Jim!! Good to have another Minnesotan on the team.



- For the trivia buffs Jim is from the same suburb of St. Paul, MN (Woodbury) as Mike Montgomery's girlfriend Ashley. He also won the 2007 NCAA national championship as a member of the Michigan State Spartans. He had an assist in the championship game which Michigan State won by defeating Boston College 3-1 before over 19,000 fans in St. Louis's Scottrade Center.

- And by the way to keep this connection going, Mike Montgomery won the NCAA national championship in 2011 as the captain of the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. It was a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against Michigan played before over 19,000 fans in his home town arena, Xcel Energy Center, St Paul, MN. The Xcel Energy Center is a good luck charm for Mike as he also won the Minnesota State High School championship in the arena in 2004 as he scored the only goal of the game in overtime with over 17,000 fans in the stand and a statewide television audience watching.

- The Americans have a two point lead over Ft. Worth but they have three games in hand.

- The Americans have a five point lead over Wichita with only one game in hand.

- Adam Pineault has now scored a goal in four of the five games since he returned from his groin injury.

- Since January 29th the Americans have been in four shoot outs and lost all four. The success rate for these four shoots outs is 8% as the team is 2 for 24.

- Tyler Ludwig continues to lead all CHL defensemen with 42 points, four more than anyone else.

- How is this for a hard to believe statistic. What Americans player is seventh in the league in goals, third in power play goals, eleventh in game winning goals, & first in shooting percentage? And the give away stat 173rd in games played. Yes, it is Scott Howes who compiled his impressive record while playing in only 22 games compared to 51 played by some players.

- We are down to three players that have played in all 47 games for the Americans. Our iron men are Deitsch, Schaafsma, & Maiani.

- The Americans have had 30 different players suit up for at least one game this year.

- Congrats to Brian McMillin for being named the number one star last night for his goal, assist and great play on special teams.

Brian McMillin With a Goal & Assist Was Selected #1 Star - photo by chlphotos.com