WOW! BANNER RAISING, GREAT START, MIXED EMOTIONS!

banner raising courtesy of Diane Webster

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

Walking around the arena on Saturday night (season opener, banner raising), many of us die hard fans had mixed emotions as to whether or not the Americans should win this game.  In the past four years that we have won the championship, Allen had lost their game opener.  A superstitious bunch we are, and we'll now have to wait until the end of the season to see if this superstition rings true.  For all of us, we hope it does not, as before a raucous crowd of 5062, Allen went on to win Saturday night 6-3 over the Missouri Mavericks, followed by a shutout on Sunday. 

Games Recap: 

     10/15

• First goal of the season, a power play goal, was scored by Greger Hanson at 8:18 of the first period 
• As game continued, Allen continued their scoring with goals by Chris Crane, Kale Kerbashian (2), Chad Costello, and Eric Roy
• Missouri answered with 3 goals of their own and narrowed the gap to 1 goal midway through the 3rd period, that would be as close as the score would get  as Allen closed out the score with 2 additional goals.
• Although American's goalie Riley Gill faced 47 SOGs (including a penalty shot), Allen was still easily able to prevail. 
• With his 2 goals Kerbashian was awarded 1st star of the game, and Gill earned 2nd star.

Coach Martinson's Post game comments:

• Always fun to beat Missouri
• Played good defensively, had good chances to score more goals
• Missouri had a lot of shots
• Kerby showed good speed, he's in good shape, could have his best year ever
• We beat a pretty good goalie tonight (Josh Robinson)
• Eberle demonstrated good energy 
• Pinkston is out (upper body injury)
• Started juggling practice lines in first period, will find chemistry as season progresses
• Travis Brown has a lot of upside - sees the ice well
• Gotta get better defensively
• Dyson Stevenson could be back by next weekend
• Still expecting some players from San Jose both forwards and defensemen
• The infamous "cat" remains in Illinois and is going back to its' original owners  

     10/16

• Sunday afternoon's contest was all Allen as they scored 4 unanswered goals with goalie Jamie Murray recording his first professional shutout. (Congrats! Jamie)
• Shots on goal were markedly different from the prior night with Allen holding the edge 40-35
• Gary Steffes led the scoring with the games first 2 goals. followed by Tristan King and Tanner Eberle, each with 1
• As would be expected Murray was named the games first star, Steffes #2 and King #3

Coach Martinson's Post game comments:

• Always nice to beat Missouri
• Kerby injured, could  be out 4-6 weeks
• Nueber also out with injury, if unable to return I have a replacement lined up
• Dyson should be back Friday, but may play Wednesday
• Did we have fun this weekend?  (followed by cheers from fans)
• Tanner Eberle looked really good, moves feet good on both ends of the ice, overall good attitude
• Good to have 2 quality goalies, 2 completely different goalies, but they both stop pucks

Through the first 2 games:

• ,Allen's PK efficiency is 100% having stopped all 14 power plays against them.  
• Allen's power play has recorded 1 goal for 9 attempts (11.1%)
• Americans have scored 10 goals, 15 assists for a total of 25 points resulting in a +29
• Allens' netminders recorded 79 saves of 82 attempts for a .963 SV%

how to tame a Maverick (courtesy of Diane Webster)

See many more great photos of both nights at:  https://www.facebook.com/Dianne-Webster-Photography-477738345715818/?fref=ts

Did you know:  Allen's former goalie Jake Hildebrand has started the season with 2 victories, saving 56 of 58 shots for the Indy Fuel.

Please note: due to prior commitments the next posting will be Thursday, 10/20