For two periods last night the Allen game against the Wichita Thunder looked like a carbon copy of the Americans win on Friday night but the third period could not have been more different. The end result was a 6-2 Allen loss to the Thunder.
- Allen dominated the start of the game taking the first nine shots on goal but they could not get the puck in the net despite several great opportunities. The Thunder didn't get their first shot on goal until the 8:29 mark and scored the first goal of the game on just their third shot of the game. Allen responded two minutes later when Adam Miller scored his fourth goal of the season and third in as many games.
- The teams went into the first intermission tied 1-1. Allen out shot Wichita 18-6 in the first period but could not manage more than one goal. The Americans had a couple of power play opportunities including an extended power play when former Allen defenseman, Travis Brown, took a five minute major penalty and received a match penalty for deliberate attempt to injure.
- There was no scoring in the second period so just like Friday night the teams went in to the third period tied 1-1. It looked promising for a repeat of Friday night (Allen outscored Wichita 3-0) when Wichita was given a penalty for boarding after the end of the second period. Allen started the third period on the power play but could not even manage a shot let alone score the go ahead goal. Instead, Wichita flipped the script from Friday night scoring 27 seconds after Allen's power play had expired and again a minute later and the game was essentially over by the 3:37 mark of the period. When the smoke cleared the Thunder outshot Allen 16-8 in the third period and outscored the Americans 5-1. A disappointing end to a promising game.
- The goal scorers for Allen were Adam Miller (4) and Joel Chouinard (2). Here are their goals courtesy of Sporfie:
Adam Miller - A great individual effort by Adam and watch where he put that shot to beat the goalie.
Joel Chouinard - A nice three way play on this goal scored off the rush. Greg Chase carries the puck into the zone and drops it for Braylon Shmyr. Shmyr makes a nifty pass to Joel Chouinard who is streaking toward the net and Joel makes a nice finish on the play.
- Here is the game recap from the Wichita Thunder: https://www.wichitathunder.com/news/press-release/thunder-looks-to-snap-road-skid-tonight-in-allen.html
- Here is Steve Martinson's post game interview and you will notice a familiar face conducting the interview. It is the game host from last season, Kayla McLain, who was attending the game as a fan and was drafted to conduct the post game interview with coach Martinson. What a pro and she hasn't missed a beat. Kayla is certainly missed.
- There were 24 penalties called in the game including 21 minor penalties, 11 in the third period. Wichita won the special teams battle going 2-9 on the power play while Allen was 0-7.
- Allen has struggled to score goals all season. They have been shutout three times, held to one goal four times and held to two goals four times. You can't expect to win consistently when you score two or fewer goals in half of your games. The problem hasn't been getting scoring opportunities as much as it has been the ability to finish. Last night was a good example when the Americans managed two goals on 35 shots which computes to a shooting percentage of 5.7%. Allen's shooting percentage for the season is 7.7% and that is ranked #26 in the ECHL. Since joining the ECHL the Americans shooting percentage has never been in the single digits (see Did You Know section below).
- Allen gave up the first goal again last night. Despite winning on Friday after giving up the first goal of the game the Americans record when they give up the first goal now stands at 1-12-0-1.
- With the 0-7 on the power play last night Allen's home power play is now 4-40 and their 10.0% power play percentage is ranked #26.
OTHER COMMENTS
- It was a frustrated coach Martinson when I stopped by his office long after the game was over. The inconsistency in play, defensive breakdowns, failure to compete was apparent in the third period. Martinson reiterated he will have the team view a lot of video on Monday after practice. The team is typically on their own in the afternoon after practice unless they are doing something with the front office related to marketing or community appearances but they can plan on watching TV (aka game video) Monday afternoon.
- Each loss by Allen makes the likelihood of making the playoffs even more remote. The Americans are now 12 points out of fifth place and 13 points out of the fourth and final playoff spot in the Mountain Division. Here are the standings with games played in parentheses:
30 points - Utah (20 games)
30 points - Tulsa (20 games)
25 points - Kansas City (18 games)
25 points - Idaho (22 games)
24 points - Rapid City (22 games)
18 points - Wichita (20 games)
12 points - Allen (22 games)
- There are only two ECHL teams with winning percentages below .413. Atlanta is at .361 and Allen is at .273.
- If you like watching game video, something coach Martinson will be doing, here is a seven minute compilation of hits, misses, close calls, goals, good saves, defensive breakdowns and some teddy bears tossed in for good measure.
- Here are a few photos from the weekend courtesy of photographer David Dudich:
 |
| Braylon Shmyr with the quick stop |
 |
| Kyle Hayton with one of 29 saves on the way to his first pro victory |
 |
| Kyle Hayton |
 |
| Looks like Joel Chouinard is giving instructions |
- I have a pair of free tickets for the Allen game on Tuesday against Rapid City which starts at 10:35 am. The seats are in the second row in section 100 at the end of the rink where Allen is on offense twice. The first person that emails me at janssenfamily@msn.com gets the tickets.
Did YOU KNOW: Historically Allen has always been toward the top of the ECHL in shooting percentage but not the case this season. Here are the team shooting percentages since the Americans joined the ECHL.
11.9% 2019-20
9.2% 2018-19
10.5% 2017-18
12.9% 2016-17
10.6% 2015-16
12.2% 2014-15
It may not look like a big difference when looking at the percentages but over the course of a typical season the difference in a 7.7% and 12.9% shooting percentage is 135 goals or almost two goals per game.
Probably coaches last season. After a mediocre season last season and a near echl record bad season this year, I don't see the owner accepting that and probably should not. I would not pay for that.
ReplyDelete