Allen Wins in Shootout, Rematch with Tulsa Tonight, Martinson's Comments, Brabham Cup, Military Appreciation Night

There was a lot to like about the Allen Americans 3-2 shootout victory over the Tulsa Oilers last night at the Allen Event Center (AEC). To start with it was the largest Friday night crowd of the season with 5051 in attendance for Faith and Family Night.


- Allen scored the first goal of the game which is always a good sign. The Americans record when scoring first is now 33-2-2-1.


- One of the keys to the game was winning the special teams battle as Allen has a much better power play and penalty kill than Tulsa. The penalty kill unit did give up a power play goal but it was just the fourth in the last 12 games. During the last 12 games the penalty unit is 4-60 or 93.3%. The power play continues to dominate against Tulsa. These teams have played eight times since the beginning of December and in those eight games Allen is 15-35 on the power play which equates to a 42.9% conversion. You are not going to lose many games with that kind of power play success.


- Allen was out shot last night 42-33 but as strange as it might seem that was a good sign. The team that has had the fewest shots has won the last eight games between Tulsa and Allen.


- When the game got to a shootout you had to like Allen's chances with Riley Gill in goal. He has only been in two this season but has not allowed a shootout goal. He is now 0-5 in shootout attempts against him.


- It was great to see the three new players (Wade Macleod, Tyler Barnes, Alex Krushelnyski) contribute. As a team the Americans had 11 points (4 goals 7 assists). The three new players accounted for three of the four goals and three of the six assists.


- With the win last night Allen has the longest current streak in the ECHL (8-0-1-0) and the best 10 game record in the league (8-1-1-0).


- Goal scorers for Allen were Gary Steffes (19), Tyler Barnes (6 & 7) and Alex Krushelnyski (3). Barnes also scored the only goal of the shootout though he doesn't get credit for a goal. Obviously he was selected as the #1 star of the game. There were some great goals so you should make sure to checkout the video highlights at ECHL Rewind. The highlights should be posted sometime this morning:  http://www.echl.com/


- Here is the complete recap of the game courtesy of the Allen Americans:https://allenamericans.com/americans-win-wild-affair-5-4-in-a-shootout/


- Here is the press release from the Tulsa Oilers with their game recap: https://tulsaoilers.com/americans-top-oilers-shootout/


- Here is Steve Martinson's pregame interview with Tom Manning:

 



STEVE MARTINSON'S POST GAME COMMENTS

- It is always an exciting game when you win in a shootout. I didn't like the power play goal we gave up when Tulsa tied the score 4-4 but we did a great job killing the penalty in the overtime.

- We have been struggling winning faceoffs. Wade MacLeod has been doing pretty good and he isn't really a center though he is playing center now.

- It was kind of an up and down game for us. I think we can fix a few things for tomorrow night.

- The penalty call on Costello in overtime was a frustrating call. When the referee came over to me and asked if we wanted to go first or second in the shootout I said why don't you decided.

- We scored some beautiful goals tonight. It is unfortunate Tulsa got four goals but two of them were really strange bounces.

- With players out of the lineup it is an opportunity to try some different combinations in preparation for the playoffs as you never know what can happen in the playoffs with injuries. You have to think about having skill guys, corner guys, net front presence and defensive players on each line. I have some things in my mind and am trying to get some balance on each line.


GAME PREVIEW

- The rematch with Tulsa take place tonight (7:05 pm) and the keys to victory remain the same. Continue the dominance on special teams, keep up the physical play and improve puck possession. There were way too many turnovers last night and this will be an area of emphasis tonight.


- Look for the same lineup tonight as last night with the team playing short a player. Dyson Stevenson will take shifts at forward and defense and Riley Gill will be in goal.


- Allen had five goals last night and it is a good bet they will get at least that many again tonight if they are going to win. The wining team has had at least five goals in the last six games Allen and Tulsa have played.


- Officials scheduled for the game are referee Jonathan Sitarski (#23) and linesmen Chase Wilkinson (#68) and Christopher Williams (#0). This is the same crew that officiated the game last night.


OTHER COMMENTS

 

- I have mentioned this many times before but it is worth a mention again. The post game discussion with coach Martinson is a must see event. I recap what he says but it is so much better in person. He is open, honest and entertaining and answers every question that is asked. His stories, anecdotes, and comments are worth the price of admission and most can't be included in the blog. Everyone should plan to come just to see what goes on.


- David Makowski has been suspended for six games after the incidents in Missouri on Wednesday. He was given three games for a cross check that resulted in an injury to a player and three games for abuse of official. David will miss all of the remaining homes games and will return for the last two games of the season in Tulsa and Wichita.


- Had the chance to visit with Jarret Lukin for a few minutes last night. He is in town for a visit to a place he calls his second home. Jarrett is one of the most popular players in franchise history, played in Allen from 2009-2014, was the first captain back in 2009 and had a key goal in the most famous game ever in Allen, game seven of the 2013 CHL championship final. Trailing 2-0 with less than 13 minutes left in the game, Jarret scored the goal that started the comeback. Trevor Hendrikx got the equalizer with less than three minutes remaining and of course Todd Robinson scored the most famous goal in team history in overtime to give Allen their first championship. Jarret is retired and living in Calgary though he grew up in Northeast Alberta in Fort McMurray.  He will be at the game tonight so if you see him make sure to stop him and say hi. He has always enjoyed interacting with fans.

- Colorado lost to Utah 5-2 at home last night to keep Allen's slim hopes of overtaking the Eagles alive. Allen trails Colorado by five points and has a game in hand over the Eagles. Colorado plays Utah again tonight.


- The battle for the final playoff spot in the Mountain Division got even tighter last night as Missouri and Utah won while Alaska lost. Here is where they stand now with games remaining. Only one will make the playoffs.

70 points - Alaska (8 games remaining)
68 points - Missouri (8 games remaining)
67 points - Utah (7 games remaining)


- The game tonight is Military Appreciation Night. It will be a big crowd with a lot of veterans in attendance. The team will be wearing a military specialty jersey that will be auctioned after the game.

DID YOU KNOW: The Brabham Cup goes to the ECHL team that has the most points in the regular season. The winner this season will be either the Toledo Walleye or the Colorado Eagles. Toledo has the lead with 97 points and eight games remaining while Colorado has 95 points with six games remaining. One thing guaranteed is the Western Conference will win the Brabham Cup. It will be the eighth straight year the Brabham Cup has gone to a team currently in the Western Conference. (Toledo won in 2014-15 when they were in the Eastern Conference).