A Streak Snapper to Remember, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Steve Martinson's Post Game Comments, Rematch Preview and More

There was a streak snapper hockey game in Allen last night as the Americans played their most complete and entertaining game of the season by beating the #1 team in the ECHL, the Cincinnati Cyclones, 4-3 in a shootout.  A crowd of 3887 watched Allen snap their eight game losing streak and also snap the Cyclone's seven game winning streak.


The drama unfolded almost from the first puck drop. Cincinnati scored just 59 seconds into the game and the thought was here we go again but Allen responded with a goal of their own just 48 seconds later. It turned out to be the first of three times Allen fell behind but came back.


- It was clear from the first period  that the Americans were playing better hockey at both ends of the ice and when there were defensive breakdowns goalie C.J. Motte came to the rescue. After the first period Allen was down 2-1 but out shot Cincinnati 10-9.


- I mentioned yesterday Allen was the only team in the ECHL that had not scored a shorthanded goal at home nor allowed a shorthanded goal at home. That changed in the second period when Zach Pochiro took a pass from Joel Chouinard as he was coming out of the penalty box and went in all alone and beat the goalie with a backhand shot.


- Pochiro's goal was the only goal of the second period so the third period started with a 2-2 tie. During the second intermission I couldn't help but think about the fact the Cyclones had allowed a league best 10 goals all season in the third period while Allen had allowed a league worst 48. When Cincinnati scored at the 14:34 mark of the third period on a fluky goal from the point it looked like the writing was on the wall for another defeat. However, the Americans would not be denied as Riley Bourbonnais scored after a scramble in front. Riley's extra attacker goal was scored with 9.8 seconds remaining in the game.


- The overtime produced great scoring chances for both teams. C.J. Motte made two game saving saves when Cyclone players were in all alone.


- Allen elected to go second in the shootout. Both players missed in the first round. Cincinnati missed their second round attempt which brought out Adam Miller who scored. C.J. Motte then stopped the Cyclones third attempt and the victory was sealed.


- It has been a long time since the Allen faithful have seen a win, December 4th to be exact. There were a lot of smiles all around after the game. Last night they were witness to more than a routine win. The excitement included scoring a goal 48 seconds after Cincinnati took the lead 59 seconds into the game, a shorthanded goal, an extra attacker goal with 9.8 seconds remaining to tie the score and a thrilling overtime period with end to end action. A shootout goal to win the game was the cherry on top. Job well done Allen Americans!


- Again, the Allen goals scorers were David Makowski (5), Zach Pochiro (15), and Riley Bourbonnais (6). Adam Miller got the shootout game winner but doesn't officially get credit for a goal. Why the rule is you can get credit for an empty net goal but not the game winning goal in a shootout is beyond me. Here are the Sporfie clips of the goals.

David Makowski - Adam Miller won the draw to Dante Salituro made the pass to Makowski at the blueline. David then did what he does best.






Zach Pochiro - Zach takes a pass from Joel Chouinard as he exits the penalty box and is off to the races. Notice his patience in holding the puck until he has the goalie out of position. The shorthanded goal was Allen's first at home all season.







Riley Bourbonnais - With the game winding down and C.J. Motte on the bench for an extra attacker, Spencer Asuchak and Zach Pochiro handle the puck behind the net and take all of the attention from the Cyclone players. Watch as Riley comes toward the net in the slot and finds the puck on his stick. He scores with 9.8 seconds remaining. Bourbonnais has played two games in Allen and has a goal in both.






Adam Miller - Adam got the game winner in a move he has used before. You may need to watch this replay a few times to see his move. It actually looks like he loses control of the puck as the goes from forehand to backhand but it is a planned play. Watch the goalie bite on the move as the puck slides into the net.






- Here is the game recap issued by the Cincinnati Cyclones: https://cycloneshockey.com/news/2018/12/vaive-s-pair-not-enough-as-cyclones-streak-snapped   



- Here are Steve Martinson's post game comments:

- When I stopped by coach Martinson's office after the game it was obvious he was pleased with the team's performance and was relieved to snap the losing streak. His first comment was, "I will finally get a better night's sleep." He went on to mention several factors that contributed to the win against the Cyclones, who had their best lineup in the game with two players back from assignments to their AHL affiliate. Martinson was pleased how the team worked hard, had fewer turnovers, avoided odd man rushes, defended better and received good goaltending.



REMATCH PREVIEW

- It is hard to overstate the importance of the win last night. The team needed some confidence and they proved to themselves they can play with the best teams in the ECHL with the win over Cincinnati. They need to back up their performance last night with another one tonight. If they could go into the Christmas break with two wins it would be a big boost going into the New Year.


- Special teams have been a positive for Allen in the first two games against the Cyclones. The Americans have killed seven of eight Cincinnati power play opportunities and added a shorthanded goal as well. Allen is 1-5 (20%) on the power play.


- It would be nice if Allen could score the first goal tonight. It has been almost a month since the Americans last scored the first goal of a game. They have scored first in only eight of their 32 games.


- After being outshot 44-25 on Wednesday the Americans narrowed the gap last night. After regulation time last night the shots still favored Cincinnati but by just two (29-27). A key to the game tonight is keeping the shots close.


OTHER COMMENTS

- There was a big scare in the first period when Alex Breton was hit in the arm while blocking a shot. He left the ice to be checked out by the doctor but returned and finished the game. Hopefully he will be okay and there are no complications from soreness or stiffness that typically happens overnight.


- Zach Pochiro had a goal and assist last night to extend his scoring streak to nine games. In those nine games he has 13 points (7G, 6A). His nine game point streak is currently the second longest in the ECHL.


- If you were disappointed when the linesmen stepped in to stop Zach Pochiro and Arvin Atwal from fighting early in the second period after both players removed their helmets, turns out it might have been a blessing in disguise for Allen. First, do you  really want your leading scorer fighting when you are missing so many players. Second, several Allen players who played in the Western Hockey League (WHL) commented that Atwal was a capable fighter. He had 29 fights in the WHL compared to nine for Pochiro. Just saying it may not have ended well for Zach. Thanks linesmen!


- Allen is 5-15 in shootout attempts this season led by Adam Miller who is 2-2. The other shootout goal scorers are Braylon Shmyr (1-5), Dante Salituro (1-3) and departed Chad Butcher (1-1).


- Around the Mountain Division last night Tulsa continued their free fall losing their ninth straight game. Kansas City beat the Oilers 6-1. Another lopsided win was by Utah who were on the road in Idaho and beat the Steelheads 5-1. Finally, Rapid City came from behind to beat Wichita 4-3 in a shootout. It is the same schedule tonight. Here are the standings with games played in parentheses.

36 points - Utah (26 games)
33 points - Idaho (28 games)
33 points - Rapid City (31 games)
32 points - Kansas City (26 games) 
32 points - Tulsa (28 games)
30 points - Wichita (29 games)
16 points - Allen (32 games)

   


DID YOU KNOW: Three of Allen's seven wins this season have come in shootouts. They have been in five shootouts with a record of 3-2. The Americans have the best shootout record in the Mountain Division. Only two teams are above .500 in shootouts, Rapid City is 4-3 and Allen is 3-2. The worst shootout record this season is Tulsa at 0-2. Tulsa has lost 13 straight shootouts and haven't won in a shootout since December 10, 2016. In that win it took seven rounds and 14 attempts for Tulsa to come out the winner.