The Allen Americans beat the Utah Grizzlies by a score of 4-2 last night before a crowd of 4987 at the Allen Event Center (AEC). There have been many memorable games over the years at the AEC. After all, last night was regular season game 332 in the history of the franchise. In my mind the win last night was one of the more memorable for a variety of reasons. Let us count the ways.
1. It was Saturday night specialty jersey, big crowd curse night and that is an obstacle that has proven to be almost impossible to overcome the years.
2. Utah arrived in Allen as the top team in the Mountain Division with the ECHL's fewest regulation losses on the road (6).
3. The Americans gave up the first goal of the game. Their record when allowing the first goal was 7-27-0-1.
4. Allen gave Utah their fourth straight loss last night. Utah hadn't lost four straight games all season.
5. Utah had a 2-0 lead after the first period and a 2-1 lead after the second period. Prior to last night the Grizzlies hadn't lost a game in regulation all season when leading after the first period (19-0-2-1) or second period (25-0-2-1).
6. Utah out shot the Americans 38-30.
7. Allen had 32 penalty minutes and gave up 10 power play opportunities while Utah had eight penalty minutes and gave up four power play opportunities. Twice in the third period the Americans killed off long 5-on-3 penalties.
8. Allen has not been good in the third period. They have given up more third period goals (72) than any team in the ECHL. Their third period goal differential is also ranked #27 at -15. Last night Allen outscored Utah 3-0 in the third period.
- Given all of the struggles Allen has had this season to see what they accomplished last night against a very good Utah team was remarkable. Coming from behind after trailing 2-0 after the first period and 2-1 after the second period showed resiliency and character. Outscoring the Grizzlies 3-0 in the third period while killing off two long 5-on-3 penalties was amazing. It reminded me of the Allen Americans of old that used to own the third period. It made it even more special that the goals that tied the game (Gary Steffes) and won the game (Spencer Asuchak) were scored by players who played through the years when Allen dominated third periods. A great win for a team that hasn't had a lot of them this season.
- Here are two game recaps of the game. One including the Allen press release and one including the Utah press release.
Allen: http://prohockeynews.com/allen-defeats-utah-4-2/
Utah: https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/grizzlies-lose-4-2-at-allen/n-5451543
- Goal scorers were Dante Salituro (13), Gary Steffes (2), Spencer Asuchak (16) and Zach Pochiro (28).
- Here is a three minute highlight package with all of the goals and some great saves by both goalies:
- Here are the Sporfie highlights of the four Allen goals:
Salituro - A great individual effort by Dante who has been Allen's most consistent scorer recently. Since January 13th Salituro has points in 15 of 17 games and assists in 14 of 17. His point total in those 17 games is 23 (6G, 17A).
Steffes - Gary tallies his second goal in as many nights. He has four points (2G, 2A) in five games since returning to Allen on February 15.
Asuchak - Spencer gets the game winner. Notice how he uses the defenseman as a screen.
Pochiro - Just like on Friday night Zach puts the game out of reach with an empty net goal. He got a piece of the puck at the defensive blue line and had to out race the Utah defenseman down the ice to poke the puck in the net.
- The win last night was number 997 in Steve Martinson's coaching career and even though making the playoffs is not in the cards this season his goal never changes, to win the next game. The last two nights against Utah have produced two victories and have been as entertaining as you could possibly hope for.
- I had a chance to spend a few minutes with coach Martinson after the game and he was pleased with how the team came back after getting behind in the first period. He was concerned with the number of minor penalties the team took. He mentioned how the game seemed to change in the second period when Allen was more physical and were finishing their checks. He also mentioned how critical the two 5-on-3 penalty kills were early in the third period.
ALLEN VS UTAH GAME PREVIEW
- It will be a tall task for the Americans to come away with a sweep of Utah today (4:05 pm) as it is very difficult to win three games in three days against the same opponent. I wouldn't recommend going about getting a win the way Allen did last night. There are not many times you can give up the first two goals of the game, trail after the first and second period, get out shot, give up 10 power plays including two long 5-on-3's and come away with a win.
- Special teams will play an important role in the game today. Head to head (seven games) the Allen power play is 5-34 (14.7%) against Utah while the Grizzlies are 8-38 (21.1%) against the Americans. The Allen penalty killers did an outstanding job last night but limiting power plays will be key in the game today.
- Allen did a great job against Caleb Herbert last night. He had no points and just three shots, took a penalty and was -2. He has averaged a goal a game against Allen and has led Utah in scoring against the Americans with nine points (5G, 4A) is five games. A key for Allen will be to keep Herbert off the scoreboard again today.
- What has really helped Allen recently is they are getting scoring from throughout the lineup. Nine different players had points last night and 12 had points Friday night. The team is playing with an edge and playing with confidence.
- There will be streaks on the line for both teams today. Allen has won three games in a row and can match their longest winning streak of the season with a win today. With their loss last night Utah has lost four straight for the first time all season so they will be trying to end their longest losing streak since March of 2018.
- The officiating crew today will be the same as last night. The referee will be Matt Menniti (#10) and the linesmen will be Connor Bohl (#46) and Michael Miggans (#47). Menniti has been the referee for all three games against Utah this weekend.
OTHER COMMENTS
- Zach Pochiro's empty net goal last night gives him 28 goals on the season. He is all alone ranked #2 in goals scored in the ECHL. Tulsa's Adam Pleskach had two goals last night and leads the ECHL with 30 goals. Pochiro is within striking distance of a 30 goal season. Only six players in the franchise history for Allen have scored 30 or more goals in a season.
- Gary Steffes and Spencer Asuchak both scored a goal last night and are creeping closer to the top of the list for all-time goals scored. With 15 games remaining in the season Steffes is five goals and Asuchak is six goals from tying Chad Costello and Greger Hanson with 98 goals.
- I came across this video of a dad who mic'd up his four year old at hockey practice. From his positive self talk to how fast his coach was carrying him to going to BaDonalds (McDonalds) after practice to I need a nap to his "you old fat can" chirp will put a smile on your face. You have to watch this if you haven't seen it.
DID YOU KNOW: Allen lost the first four times they played Utah this season, were shutout three times and outscored 15-3. Allen has won the last three times they have played Utah, outscoring them 15-9. The first four times these teams met Allen averaged 0.75 goals per game. In the last three games Allen has averaged 5.0 goals per game.
The video is a classic!! Another great post Barry.
ReplyDeleteSomething we briefly discussed after last night's win was the fact of how the team dynamic seems to have changed with the return of Gary Steffes. We wondered how his natural leadership, experience, and presence in the locker room has affected the team. Since his return, they've seemed more 'gelled' and more confident. I'm not sure if that is his influence or if it would've happened without Gary's return.
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