Americans Win, Playoffs & Stats

Adam Pineault  #1 Star in His Return - photo by SceneBy Kimberly.com

An outstanding game last night for the hockey purists that like a low scoring, end to end action, goalie dominated hockey game. It was  0-0 after two periods but one of the best games of the year. Adam Pineault showed how important he is to this team coming down the stretch as he was the best player on the ice and that was before he had a great assist on the first Allen goal and a great shot off a Jason Deitsch pass on the second goal. And did I mention what a great ending with Allen scoring two goals in the last six minutes of the game to take the win 2-1 over Arizona. Both Aaron Dell and David Brown had numerous jaw dropping saves with several coming on back to back rushes.

Since there was a post game skate with the players there was no press conference last night. Here are some miscellaneous items.

- The way I have it figured the Americans clinched home ice for the first round of the playoffs last night as fifth place Missouri can no longer catch us even if they win all remaining games.

- With seven games remaining the Americans control their own destiny as far as winning the regular season championship (Governor's Cup). They currently have 81 points and a three point lead over Wichita and six point lead over Fort Worth. With a potential of 14 points remaining if Allen wins out (highly unlikely) they would end up with 95 points. As a frame of reference the point totals for the first three years were  89 points (2009-2010), 97 points (2010-2011), and 87 points (2011-2012). The two years they scored less than 90 points they finished second in the conference. If Wichita wins out they would have 90 points and if Fort Worth wins out they will have 87.  The bottom line is it won't take 90 points to finish first but the Americans are going to need 85-87 points to win. Let's Go Red.

- On his first game back in the lineup from injury Adam Pineault had an incredible eight shots on goal last night. His presence was noticed in all zones plus special teams. I thought he was the number one star before he got the assist and goal at the end of the game. While he was selected as the games first star did anyone notice the CHL officials somehow had Sundog coach Scott Muscutt listed as the number one star on the official score sheet. Come On, Man!!

- Interesting shots on goal stat which resembles too many games this year. The shots on goal by period were 6, 11 & 18. Who would believe the six shots on goal in the first period would be triple what Arizona achieved but they had only two shots on goal in the first period.

-  Jim McKenzie did not play last night as he was injured in Rapid City. Jim, who plays with wreckless abandon, has had trouble staying healthy the last couple of years. Let's hope he is back on the ice soon.

- Brian McMillin played sparingly in the first period last night so he must not be 100% yet. He did play more regular shifts late in the game.

- Kip Brennan did not play for the Sundogs as he is nursing an injury. He was in the concourse chatting up all of his Americans fans.What a nice guy and a class act. Another player who is missed by the Americans fans.

- Let me add my congrats to Erik and Jennifer Adams on the birth of their daughter, Brooklyn Jack, yesterday. Two girls (Adams & Bootland) for the Americans family this month. Next up is equipment manager Kacee Coberly. The Coberly's are expecting their second child, a boy, next week.

Brooklyn Jack Adams

- Mike Salekin was waived by Fort Worth on Monday.

- I get asked frequently about the possibility of the Americans moving to the ECHL next year. I am one who personally hopes the CHL, with its strongest teams, would move to the ECHL but the bottom line is that the odds of this happening are somewhere between slim and none. I hope I am wrong but the conversations I have had with reliable sources indicate we will be in the CHL next year.

- Thanks to Tommy Daniels for inviting me to be his between periods guest last night during his radio broadcast. It is great exposure for the blog as I know there are many Americans fans that still are not aware of our existence. I know I have mentioned this several times before but if you have never listened to the radio broadcast (KLAK 97.5) while attending a game, give it a try. It really adds to the experience.

- A great video recap of the game can be seen on YouTube at Americans vs Sundogs (March 12, 2013). Whether you were at the game or not a great way to see the outstanding goalie play and the three goals.