If you didn't stay up late to watch or listen to the game last night and checked the score this morning it looked like a mundane 3-2 overtime win for the Idaho Steelheads before a sold out crowd of 5107 at CenturyLink Arena. The overtime loss snapped the Americans four game losing streak but they have now earned points in five straight games.
- The game was anything but normal as the teams combined for 127 penalty minutes. The penalties played a big part in the game and disrupted the flow and rhythm, especially in the first two periods. Penalties included five fighting majors, three continuing altercation 10 minute penalties, three game misconduct penalties (Kale Kessy for Idaho, Adam Miller & Emerson Clark for Allen), five minute major penalties for spearing and cross-checking and 12 minor penalties. When the dust had settled the combined penalty minutes (127) was the second most in the ECHL this season and Allen's 72 penalty minutes was the third highest total in an ECHL game this season.
- The game was atypical from what has been successful for Allen during their recent winning streak. Allen did get off to a good start, scoring the only goal in the first period on Curt Gogol's first goal since joining the Americans. Allen out shoot Idaho 11-7 in the first period.
- The second period was all Idaho as they scored the only two goals and out shot Allen 19-4. The Americans spent a lot of the period killing penalties.
- Allen scored the only goal of the third period at the 5:50 mark to tie the score 2-2 on Alex Breton's seventh goal of the season. Breton took a pass from Dante Salituro and blasted a shot home from the top of the circle. Goalie C. J. Motte kept Allen in the game as they hung on down the stretch. Idaho was credited with the last six shots in the third period while Allen didn't record a shot on goal the final seven minutes of the game.
- Both teams had excellent opportunities in the overtime. On the game winner C.J. Motte made a great save on a breakaway but Idaho was able to put in the rebound. Motte played another outstanding game stopping 42 of the 45 shots he faced. The Americans were out shot 45-29 for the game and after the first period the Steelheads out shot Allen 38-18.
- Allen's power play was blanked (0-4) for the first time in the last five games but the penalty kill unit continued their great play. Idaho was 0-6 on the power play last night and the Americans have now killed off their last 19 power plays including several 5-on-3's.
- Here are the video highlights:
- Here is the game recap issued by the Idaho Steelheads: https://www.idahosteelheads.com/en/articles/steelheads-outlast-americans-in-wild-3-2-overtime-finish
- Here is a post game video from the Idaho Steelheads with interviews with several players and Idaho coach Neil Graham:
ALLEN VS IDAHO GAME THREE PREVIEW
- Despite the overtime loss last night the Americans have to feel good that they have earned three of a possible four points in the first two games against Idaho. To win the rubber game of this three game series the Americans will have to get back to what has been successful recently.
- There was some things that went well last night. Allen scored the first goal of the game and had a 1-0 lead after the first period. The Americans came back in the third period to tie the game after giving up the lead. Allen's penalty kill continues to be excellent. Goalie play by C.J. Motte has been rock solid, his save percentage last night was .933.
- What didn't work well last night and needs to improve tonight is shots on goal. Allen fell into the bad habit of old by being out shot 45-29. Some of this is attributable to taking too many penalties that resulted in power play opportunities for the Steelheads. The Americans gave up a total of 13 power play opportunities in their four game win streak. Last night they gave Idaho six.
- Allen was 0-4 on the power play last night after going 9-20 in their previous four games. It didn't help that Adam Miller was given a game misconduct penalty for spearing, nine minutes into the game. Miller has been a key part of the Allen power play unit with 10 points (3G 7A). It will be key to get the power play back on track tonight.
- There will be definitely be supplemental discipline/suspensions from all of the penalties in the game last night. The only question is how many players will be suspended and for how long.
- The officiating crew will be the same tonight as last night, referee Steven Sailor (#5), linesmen Ryan Nevins (#86) and Daniel Spore (#73).
OTHER COMMENTS
- Josh Thrower was recalled by Iowa (AHL) but did not play in their game last night. Iowa is playing Ontario this weekend and probably wanted to add some toughness in case it was needed.
- With the results last night in the Mountain Division the standings have tightened up. Wichita beat Kansas City 4-0, Rapid City beat Florida 3-2 and Tulsa beat Utah 7-3. These teams will play each other again tonight. Here are the current Mountain Division standings based on winning percentage:
.654 - Idaho
.649 - Utah
.634 - Tulsa
.541 - Kansas City
.488 - Wichita
.440 - Rapid City
.337 - Allen
- The three teams at the top of the Mountain Division standings are ranked #5, #6 and #7 in the ECHL in winning percentage. Only two teams have winning percentages above .700, Florida (.738) and Cincinnati (.737). Last season four teams finished with a winning percentage above .700. You don't necessarily need a .700 winning percentage to win the Kelly Cup. Here are the regular season winning percentages of the last five Kelly Cup champions.
.708 2017-18 (Colorado)
.688 2016-17 (Colorado)
.618 2015-16 (Allen)
.736 2014-15 (Allen)
.683 2013-14 (Alaska)
- The Mountain Division teams with the best record over the last 10 games are Tulsa (9-1-0-0), Idaho (8-2-0-0) and Allen (6-3-1-0).
DID YOU KNOW: When it comes to 10 minute misconduct penalties and game misconduct penalties Idaho and Allen are in a league of their own. Their combined 10 minute misconduct penalty total is 29 (Allen 15, Idaho 14). That represents 22% of all 10 minute misconduct penalties in the ECHL this season. Allen and Idaho have combined for 25 game misconduct penalties (Idaho 13, Allen 12). That represents 26% of all game misconduct penalties in the ECHL this season. Extracurricular activities are the norm for these teams.
Jay, I would expect two or three suspensions so that might quiet things down tonight.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately Allen gets a total of 17 games of suspensions to Idaho's TBD.
ReplyDelete12 games for Allen players. Short handed again with 3 player suspensions.
DeleteOnly one player from Idaho will be suspended.
ReplyDelete