The turnaround from the Allen Americans poor opening night performance on Friday was swift as they went into Wichita last night and shutout the Thunder 4-0. Goalie C.J. Motte was the #1 star of the game with a 35 save shutout. It was the first shutout for Allen since the 2016-17 season. Goal scorers for Allen were Spencer Asuchak (1), Braylon Shmyr (1), Zach Pochiro (1) and Dante Salituro (1).
- Allen was able to dominate in puck possession by beating the Thunder to the puck and winning puck battles. The Americans accomplished all three keys to the game.
1. Allen scored first early in the opening period on Spencer Asuchak's first goal of the season and they won the first period taking a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
2. The Americans were doubled up on shots Friday night allowing 43 and taking 21. Last night against the Thunder, Allen had 34 shots on goal and allowed 35. A big improvement.
3. The third key was to win the special teams battle and the Americans technically accomplished that goal. Allen killed all seven Wichita power play opportunities and managed to get a shorthanded goal in the process by Zach Pochiro. The Americans were 0-3 on the power play after going 0-3 on Friday so that needs some work. A bigger concern is the Americans are taking too many minor penalties as they lead the ECHL with 18 in two games. More importantly Allen has given up 13 power play opportunities while only having six of their own.
- Here is the game recap from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/motte-and-the-americans-shutout-wichita-4-0/
- Here is a game recap that I highly recommend you take the time to read and watch. It includes a video recap from Matt Harding and Matt Will from Team Sin Bin. In a six minute video they provide a game analysis, a post game interview with Wichita coach Malcolm Cameron and video highlights of all four Allen goals. Job well done. https://thesinbin.net/motte-and-salituro-help-allen-get-win-number-one/
STEVE MARTINSON'S POST GAME COMMENTS
- We played a much better game tonight up and down the entire lineup.
- We used our speed in transition through the neutral zone and into our offensive zone. The team skated really well tonight.
- A big difference from Friday night is we were winning puck battles all over the ice.
- It was a complete turnaround from our game against Kansas City.
OTHER COMMENTS
- After the second day of the ECHL season there is just one team with four points, the Utah Grizzlies are 2-0-0-0. There is only one team that is 0-2-0-0, the Rapid City Rush.
- C.J. Motte leads all ECHL goalies in shots against (78) and saves (73). With his 35 save shutout last night Motte's save percentage is now at .936.
- So far it is turning out to be the year of the shorthanded goal. There were 11 last night after three on opening night. Projected over the entire season it would be over 700 shorthanded goals compared to a typical season when there are 250-300 shorties . You can see how the power play units are struggling early in the season when they have scored only 35 power play goals but given up 14 shorthanded goals.
- How important is home ice early in the season? There have been 19 games played thus far in the ECHL and the home team is12-5-2-0. The road teams record is 7-10-0-2.
- Some special team units are performing very well. Utah is 5-13 (38.5%) on the power play to lead the ECHL in power play goals. Several teams have yet to allow a power play goal but Fort Wayne is the standout of the 100% penalty kill group having killed 12 straight.
- The Americans returned to Allen after the game last night, will take the day off today, have a few days of practice before busing back to Wichita on Thursday for a rematch with the Thunder on Friday (7:05 pm). Both teams will head to Allen after the game where they will meet again in the Americans home opener on Saturday (October 20).
- The Vincent Arseneau watch continues for Allen fans. He was a healthy scratch again last night as his Utica Comets team beat Toronto 7-4. Arseneau has sat out all four Utica games thus far.
DID YOU KNOW: Great ECHL attendance continued on day two. Hats off to these Saturday night crowds:
10,934 - Wichita Thunder
10,240 - Tulsa Oiler
9049 - Orlando Solar Bears
8967 - Jacksonville Icemen
7377 - Cincinnati Cyclones
7130 - Norfolk Admirals
After 19 games ECHL average attendance is a lofty 6709. It is a great start to hopefully improve on average attendance from last season which was 4424.
Glad we won but it still sounds like we are in the penalty box too often.
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