STEVE MARTINSON POST GAME COMMENTS:
- It was a tough first period as there were a lot of bad decisions and bad passes and more importantly we just weren't skating. We have played three really good games and then it seems like we think all we have to do to win is just put our skates on. We have a lot of guys missing time right now with injuries and we have some new guys so we don't have everyone up to speed but I thought we had enough players in the line up to have a better first period than we did.
- We have a better line up than Arizona right now as they have some key injuries and eventually the cream rises to the top. The power play really helped out. The difference on the power play tonight is we had traffic in front of the net and we got some shots through. When we were not scoring power play goals we were really struggling with getting a body in front of the net and making good decisions on getting the puck to the point. A couple of times tonight we forced the shot from the point into their defensemen but overall it was a good effort. Brian McMillin did a good job of screening the goaltender in front of the net.
- We are still taking too many penalties where we make it easy for the referee to make a call. We need skill guys like Hanson and Schaafsma to avoid all of the hooking, holding & roughing penalties. I think teams know we are getting calls against us and they do everything to embellish any contact. What I tell the guys is don't make it so easy for the referee to make a call. Don't put your stick on them, don't put your arm on them.
- Bruce Graham could have had a couple of goals and more assists tonight. He isn't up to speed yet but he will really help us down the stretch.
- We will go with the same group for the game tomorrow with no line up changes. Phil Fox has been put on the seven day IR.
OTHER COMMENTS:
- The three stars of the game were #1 Ross Rouleau who scored the 100th point of his career with the tying goal in the third period, #2 Jamie Schaafsma who had three points (1 goal 2 assists) including the game winning goal and #3 Bruce Graham who had two assists in his first game.
- Jon Zion had a goal to extend his scoring streak to ten games. He has scored in every game he has played for the Americans.
- Jamie Schaafsma, who started out slowly this season, has been scoring at over a point a game clip since the middle of December. In the last 29 games he has 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists).
- Alex Lavoie is dominating the rookie scoring race in the CHL with a 16 point lead over second place as his 67 points is a rookie season record since the Americans joined the league. But flying under the radar is Spencer Asuchak who ranks third among all CHL rookies in scoring and still stands alone at the top of the CHL with four short handed goals.
- The final "Hockey in Heels" night took place before the game last night. This is the best value going for fans. For $10 (if you already have a ticket to the game) you attend a session to talk about hockey and then get to sit in a suite where there is wine tasting and light snacks. In the session last night the participants heard from Erik Adams, Kale Kerbashian, Richard Matvichuk as well as Richard's wife and mother. If the Americans have these sessions again next year take advantage of it as it is the best value of any promotion they have.
- The auction of the USA jerseys after the game was very successful as many of the jerseys went for over $1000 and if memory serves the highest amount was $1800 for captain Mike Berube's jersey. I say this everytime there is one of these auctions, it is impressive how the fans support the team when it comes to the specialty jersey auctions.
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| 1980 Team USA Jerseys Were a Big Hit - photo by SceneByKimberly.com |
- If you are an Ice Angels fans stick around between periods tonight as the Angels will be dancing to Beyonce. I'm told it will be a good one!
- Glen Falls, New York has been another rumored location for a CHL franchise. Found this article written by Maury Thompson (poststar.com) which pretty much puts to rest this rumor at least for this year:
GLENS FALLS -- Representatives of two lower level hockey leagues have contacted the city about possibly locating teams at Glens Falls Civic Center, said Mayor John “Jack” Diamond.
But for now, his opinion is that city officials should focus on the American Hockey League, the highest level of minor league hockey, even if it means going a season without a team at the Civic Center, Diamond said Friday in an interview at City Hall.
The Adirondack Phantoms of the AHL, which now make the Civic Center home ice, are relocating at the end of this season to a new arena being built in Allentown, Pa.
Earlier this week, Diamond said an AHL ownership group city officials had exchanged contract proposals with decided to stay at its current location.
Diamond has not identified the AHL team city officials were negotiating with.
Diamond said Friday a league official and a team owner from the Central Hockey League have contacted him, and a league official with the North Atlantic Professional Hockey League had also.
No league officials or owners from the ECHL, another league, had contacted him.
“I’ve kept the contacts on hand. But right now, I’m focussed on the American Hockey League,” Diamond said.
The Central Hockey League has 10 teams in cities in Illinois, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Missouri, South Dakota, Ontario, Oklahoma and Kansas, according to the league’s website.
Travel would be expensive for a team in Glens Falls to play in this league, Diamond said.
The North Atlantic Professional Hockey League is a fledgling league clustered in the Northeast.
Diamond said some of those who contacted him asked if city officials could help identify a local ownership group.
“I don’t have an ownerhship group right now,” he said.
Diamond said the cost to operate the Civic Center is the same, regardless of the level of hockey. So he’d rather have the highest caliber of play possible.
“The cost of a sheet of ice is the same,” he said.
Diamond said it’s still possible, although not likely, that an AHL ownership group would make a last-minute decision to relocate next season.
If not, he will speak with AHL President and Chief Executive Officer David Andrews about whether any teams would consider relocating for the 2015-16 season.
“If there was some promise in the following year, I’d rather not commit to another lower level of hockey,” he said.
Diamond said at some point he will ask the Common Council whether he should stick with that strategy.
“It (the decision) will be made collectively,” he said. “I’ll be talking with the Common Council. I’ll be talking with the American Hockey League.
- Mark Guggenberger's ECHL rites were traded yesterday from his former ECHL team (Alaska Aces) to the Gwinnett Gladiators who have signed him.
DID YOU KNOW: Alex Lavoie is currently in 6th place in the CHL in scoring. The Allen Americans have never had a player finish higher than 6th in the CHL scoring race. Here are the scoring leaders by season:
2009-2010: Bruce Graham - 6th
2010-2011: Colton Yellow Horn - 7th
2011-2012: Bruce Graham - 15th
2012-2013: Anthony Maiani - 17th
2013-2014: Alex Lavoie - 6th
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