- Goal scorers for the Americans were Braylon Shmyr, Casey Pierro-Zabotel, Kevin Sundher and Miles Liberati. Jeremy Brodeur was in goal for Allen, getting the win by stopping 30 0f 33 shots.
- Here are the Sporfie highlights of the Allen goals:
Braylon Shmyr - Trailing 3-0, Shmyr got the Americans on the scoreboard at the 4:19 mark of the second period. It was one of those "look mom no hands" goals as Braylon jumped to screen the goalie on a shot from Jordy Stallard. The puck bounced off Shmyr's shin pad or skate into the net. https://sporfie.app.link/EDOvnEXtMQ
Casey Pierro-Zabotel - Just 28 seconds after Shmyr's goal a great individual effort by Casey closed the gap to 3-2. He steals the puck in the neutral zone and with a defenseman all over him skates in, waits for the goalie to make a move and slides the puck in the net, five hole. https://sporfie.app.link/XZycWnauMQ
Kevin Sundher - It is a long way from opening night and line combinations are always in flux but watching drills in practice the line of Casey Pierro-Zabotel centering Dante Salituro and Kevin Sunder looked great together. You want to watch this replay a bunch of times because all three did their part on this game tying goal at the 10:26 mark of the second period. It is hard to see the work Casey does behind the net battling two defenders. Salituro swoops behind the net to pick up the loose puck and maneuvers in a tight space to make a perfect pass to Sundher skating up the slot. Sundher frees his stick from his defender and finishes the play. https://sporfie.app.link/UJxkTPOuMQ
Miles Liberati - Miles got the game winner at 14:37 of the third period. This is another goal to watch a few times. Thomas Frazee makes a great play to steal the puck in the defensive zone and is off to the races. Both Kevin Sundher and Miles had a step on their defender. Sundher is ahead with Liberati trailing the play. Frazee passes to the trailer and Miles makes a great shot for the game winning shorthanded goal. https://sporfie.app.link/7pk29CPyMQ
TAKEAWAYS
- It was apparent to most anyone watching the game last night and certainly to the coaches that there is a marked improvement in team speed as these young players are fast and quick. When Allen got the puck they were making quick outlet passes and moving thorough the neutral zone with speed.
- The penalty kill, which struggled last season (#20 at 81.6%) gave up power play goals on two of their first three kills but went 0-4 in the final two periods and scored the shorthanded game winner. Coach Martinson said to me after the game he hasn't really worked on the penalty kill yet and is still assessing who the best penalty killers will be.
- This team is going to rely on a core group of experienced players this season but the number of first and second year players on the opening day roster will knock your socks off. You never know what you have until the season starts but this will be a fun group to watch. Injuries, call ups and suspensions cost the Americans dearly last season so predicting anything at this point is fools gold but Martinson has to like how this team looks on paper.
COACH'S COMMENTS
- Martinson was pleased with the effort up and down the lineup from the veterans to the try out players. Even going down 3-0 in the first period he thought the Americans had some good opportunities with good puck possession and good rushes.
- After the first period I just told the guys to bear down, get some shots on goal and get that first goal
- We gave up two power play goals in the first period. We haven't really worked on the penalty kill in practice. Don't know yet who is a good penalty killer and who is not.
- We are a fast team but I don't think we used the points very well in the game.
- We haven't worked on strategy much in practice so in a game like this you are seeing how players think and react.
GAME PREVIEW
- Game two against Kansas City is this afternoon with a 4:30 puck drop. It is at the community rink and there are still tickets available ($10 at the door). It is fun watching the game and you get up close and personal for sure. A great way to put names and faces together.
- There will be line up changes for this game. Captain Joel Chouinard and David Makowski should be playing in the game today and goalie Andrew D'Agostini should get the start.
- You always worry about preseason injuries and you could see a couple of players got some bumps and bruises in the game last night. Will be interesting to see how many forwards and defensemen dress for the game.
- Both teams had 33 shots in game. If you compare that to last season the Americans were #22 in shots per game (30.7) and #23 in shots allowed (36.3). One area that Allen needs to tighten up is penalties. They gave up seven power plays and two power play goals. Allen was 1-4 on the power play.
- I was surprised there wasn't a fight in the game last night. I expect Mitch Vandergunst will be in the lineup again today and would bet he finds a dance partner.
OTHER COMMENTS
- Check out this interview that captain Joel Chouinard did with Rick Duncan (northDsports.com) yesterday after the morning skate. Joel covers several topics but his explanations of the whys and wherefores of preseason games is very informative.
- A reader asked about local Allen player Ben Owen and whether he played in the game last night. Ben did play and played well from what I saw. With all of the defenseman in camp it is almost impossible for a tryout player to make the team. Ben has played well enough if he does get released from his tryout contract he could get a look form another ECHL team in need of defensemen and if he ends up in Evansville (SPHL) where he is signed he could get ECHL call ups when teams need help.
- I always get questions about the number players will be wearing. They tend to change frequently as players come and go during training camp. With that said here are the numbers for the new players plus a few others from the program handed out at the game last night.
#4 - Alex Breton
#5 - Tate Olson
#9 - Kevin Sundher
#10 - Chad Butcher
#14 - Mitch Vandergunst
#15 - Dante Salituro
#16 - Lucas Clark
#19 - Braylon Shmyr
#20 - Jordy Stallard
#22 - Josh Atkinson
#24 - Ben Owen
#77 - Ben Duffy
- Look for numerous transactions between now and Wednesday when opening day rosters are due in the league office. Players released, players traded and players assigned to Allen from Iowa.
DID YOU KNOW: Here are the top ten US born players in total points in Allen Americans franchise history. Data from eliteprospects.com.
350 - Chad Costello
172 - Tyler Ludwig
171 - Gary Steffes
142 - David Makowski
138 - Nino Musitelli
126 - Brian McMillin
100 - Jason Deitsch
99 - Bryan Moore
92 - Aaron Gens
68 - Anthony Miani
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