Allen Moves to Third Place With Big Win, Game Recap, Steve Martinson's Comments, Military Appreciation Night a Success and Best and Worst in Overtime and Shootouts

The Allen Americans rose to the occasion last night in a critical game by beating the Kelly Cup champions and top team in the division, the Colorado Eagles 5-4. The combination of battling for a playoff spot, the many activities associated with Military Appreciation Night and the third biggest crowd of the season (5010) created a lot of energy at the Allen Event Center. The fans didn't go home disappointed as the Americans hit on all the keys to victory to vault themselves into sole possession of third place in the Mountain Division.


- In Friday night's overtime loss to Colorado the Americans  allowed the first goal of the game, were out shot 33-23 and didn't get a power play goal. The keys to the game last night were a better start, more shots on goal and success on the power play. Mission accomplished as Joel Chouinard got Allen on the scoreboard first at the 5:23 mark of the opening period, the Americans out shot Colorado 36-28 and the only power play goal of the game was scored by Joel Chouinard who scored his second goal of the game early in the third period.


- The goal scorers for Allen were Joel Chouinard (11 & 12), J.C. Campagna (13), Bryan Moore (20) and Thomas Frazee (17).


- Here is a portion of the press release issued by the Allen Americans. Joel Chouinard led the charge with two goals for the Americans, his 11th and 12th of the season. Bryan Moore joined the 20 goal club along with Alex Guptill who leads the team with 27 goals. Thomas Frazee scored for the third game in a row netting his 17th of the season and fourth in the last three games.

"It was a big win for us," said Americans captain Joel Chouinard, who joined the Americans broadcast post game. "We played hard all game long. We needed this one badly. It was a great team effort."

Casey Pierro-Zabotel had three assists for Allen and is second overall in the ECHL with 50 assists. Jared Bethune had two helpers and now has four points in six games. The Americans went one for two on the power play while Colorado was  zero for one. Allen outshot Colorado for the game 36-28.

The Americans return to action on Tuesday night in Wichita. Allen moved into third place in the division passing the Thunder. The final two games of the season will be at home next Friday and Saturday against the Idaho Steelheads.


Here is the game recap press release issued by the Colorado Eagles: http://coloradoeagles.com/eagles-news/eagles-rally-falls-short-in-5-4-loss-to-americans/


- Here are the Sporfie highlights. Pay attention to the first two Allen goals and you can see the importance of Casey Pierro-Zabotel. On the first goal Casey gets a clean faceoff win to Mike Gunn at the point and Mike passes to Choouinard for the one timer. On the second goal Casey makes a perfect pass to J.C. Campagna who tips the puck in the net.

STEVE MARTINSON'S PREGAME AND POST GAME COMMENTS

Here is coach Martinson's pregame interview with Tom Manning;

- Martinson's post game comments:

- Here are coach Martinson's comments after the game to the season ticket holders:

"I really liked that win. We stopped turning pucks over in the third period and I think that was the difference in the game."

"It was tough because we would get a goal and then give them one over and over. On their third goal we actually had guys back in position and we had a little miscommunication as our third forward took the same guy as our defenseman."

"It was good to finally see that power play goal in the third period. We made four good passes and it was a great play. Our power play finally won us a game. We are now in a good spot to go to Wichita and try to put some distance between us and the other two teams vying for the playoffs."

"We will take the day off tomorrow and we will have a real easy skate on Monday. It is nice to be at home but having all of these games in a short time frame doesn't do us any favors. I don't know what time we are leaving yet for Wichita because I am hoping to have some players coming."

"Bethune made a really nice play on Moore's goal and plays with a lot of speed. Shmyr has just missed on some plays the last couple of days. You can see we are faster with those guys in the lineup and they have been great pickups."

"We will see where King is at on Monday. It is possible he will be ready to go."


OTHER COMMENTS

- The Americans out did themselves for Military Appreciation Night starting with the armed forces hockey game before Allen took on Colorado. A bunch of marine recruits taking their oath of enlistment during the second intermission gave me chills. The national anthem performance by Joe Everson was spectacular. If you haven't seen his performances where he paints while singing the national anthem you should check him out on YouTube. Last night his painting matched what was on the front of the specialty jersey the team wore for the game:

 - David Makowski and Vincent Arseneau were both in the lineup last night but did not factor in the scoring. Makowski and the San Jose Barracuda lost to Rockford 5-3. Arseneau's team (Utica) beat Springfield 6-5. Olivier Archambault scored the only goal for his team as Syracuse lost to Charlotte 4-1. For Archambault it was his 10th goal in 24 games for the Crunch.


- Most ECHL teams have only two or three games left but there are still five playoff spots to be determined and only one team (Toledo) has clinched their division title.


DID YOU KNOW: I had a conversation with a fan last night about how many points teams have earned when games have been decided in overtime or shootouts. How many points a team earns in overtime and shootouts is not necessarily indicative of how they play in those situations. Here is what I mean. Utah has earned 27 points in overtimes and shootouts which is the fourth highest in the league but they are one of the worst teams in the league in those situations, they have just been in a lot of them (21). Here are some more facts:

Most overtime and shootout games played
22 - Colorado
21 - Utah
19 - South Carolina

Fewest overtime and shootout games played
9  - Toledo
10 - Indy
10 - Atlanta

Most overtime and shootout points earned
38 - Colorado
31 - South Carolina
28 - Reading

Fewest overtime and shootout points earned
13 - Toledo
15 - Atlanta
15 - Indy

Highest winning percentage in overtime and shootouts
.769 - Cincinnati (8 OT wins, 3 OT losses, 2 shootout wins, 0 shootout loses)
.727 - Colorado (9 OT wins, 4 OT losses, 7 shootout wins, 2 shootout loses)
.632 - South Carolina (7 OT wins, 6 OT Loses, 5 shootout win, 1 shootout loss)

Lowest winning percentage in overtime and shootouts
.214 - Tulsa (3 OT wins, 3 OT loses, 0 shootout wins, 8 shootout losses)
.286 - Utah (4 OT wins, 9 OT loses, 2 shootout wins, 6 shootout losses)
.333 - Wichita (3 OT wins, 6 OT loses, 1 shootout wins, 2 shootout loses).


As for the Allen Americans they have been in overtimes and shootouts 13 times this season. They have won twice in overtime and lost six times. The two overtime wins is tied for the fewest in the league. In shootouts Allen has won three times and lost twice. You add it all up and Allen has earned 18 points and has a winning percentage of .385.