ONE DOWN, THREE TO GO FOR "FOURPEAT"

While Barry is on vacation, the views contained in this blog do not represent Barry, or those of the Allen Americans Organization.

THIS IS OUR HOUSE!

Before a crowd of 5,625 enthusiastic fans, the Allen Americans started the game off on the right skate, and started the quest of winning their fourth consecutive championship.  Will they make history this year?  That will be determined upon their efforts in the next few games.  Allen needs to win 3 more games in order to keep the Kelly Cup in their (our) possession.

Game highlights can be viewed on ECHL website: http://www.echl.com/ under the rewind section. 

Although not recognized as one of the three stars of the game, Spencer Asuchak and Casey Pierro-Zabotel spent most of the night in front of the net screening Wheeling's goalie Brian Foster. This pair also won a number of critical faceoffs. 

Both teams were 2-4 on the power play, however, Wheeling did their damage in the third period. We must all remember this team is a dangerous 3rd period team! 

There were a total of 8 penalties called in the game: 5 in the first period, 1 in the second, and 2 in the third.  

With this win, Allen Goalie Jake Hildebrand has a SV% above 90 (.906).  

With this victory Allen leads all playoff teams in winning percentage (.684).

Allen now has 3 consecutive playoff wins.

With their goals last night, Greger Hanson is on a three game goal streak, and Gary Steffes is on a 6 game point streak.

Coach Martinson's post-game comments:

• Started slow in the first period, gave up the puck too much and forcing too many passes on the power play
• good to get shorthanded goal back with the power play goal
• I can't remember the last time we were penalized for too many men on the ice
• It is going to be a battle tomorrow
• Tristan King took Dave Makowski's place in the power play, don't want to make too many changes to our power play
• we were better tonight with puck possession
• Always good to get first win, it is like scoring the first goal, but it is not as good as winning the last game
• our conversion of two on ones has not been great
• the most important thing is we outplayed them tonight, we won the game, and we should have won the game
• there are things we want to do better tomorrow, we have to learn from our mistakes tonight
• Wheeling has some skilled forwards and some skilled players, they were basically what we expected

Wheeling Mayor Andy McKenzie has thrown down the gauntlet to Allen Mayor Steven Terrell and can be viewed here:
http://wtov9.com/news/local/wheeling-mayor-issues-challenge-to-allen-tx-mayor

We anxiously await Mayor Terrell's response!


Thanks to Staffwriter, Patrick Hayslip from the Denton Record-Chronicle for providing coverage of game one.  Hope to see you the rest of the playoffs.  The article can be read at the following:

http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/other-sports-headlines/20160529-allen-americans-take-opening-game-in-kelly-cup-series.ece

Many thanks to the Dallas Morning News

Staff Columnist Rick Gosselin for his continued support,  His blog can be read at the following:

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2016/05/28/allen-americans-win-opening-game-echl-kelly-cup-finals

Hockey is certainly not a game for the meek.....
(courtesy of Dianne Webster)

or the mild!
(courtesy of scenebyKimberly.com)

Game preview:

Allen will need to keep to their game, and stay out of the penalty box. 

Winners of game 2 of the Kelly Cup finals, have gone on to win the Kelly Cup 20 times vs. 7 losses.  This proves that we need to put forth a serious effort in tonights' game.

Did you know:  There are 22 NCAA schools represented on the combined rosters of Allen and Wheeling.