Allen Scores Four Third Period Goals to Win in Tulsa, Game Recap, Martinson's Comments, ECHL Attendance, Former Players Off to Great Start in Europe & More

The Allen Americans beat the Tulsa Oilers last night by a score of  5-4 before a crowd of 5026 at the BOK Center. Special teams proved to be the difference as the Americans scored a shorthanded goal (Stepan Falkovsky) and two power play goals (Olivier Archambault & Turner Ottenbreit) on the way to their first back to back wins since last February.


- Just like the opening night win against Rapid City, Allen had to come from behind and tally a late goal to get the win in Tulsa. While the Americans scored the first goal of the game they had to come from behind trailing 2-1 after the second period, as well as 3-2 and 4-3 in the third period.


- A key to the game came after the Oilers took a 4-3 lead at the 13:14 mark of the third period. Spencer Asuchak responded just 17 seconds later scoring his first goal of the season. Mike Hedden scored the game winning goal with 129 seconds remaining in the game. Tulsa pulled their goalie and kept the pressure on Allen but could not get the equalizer.


- The win showed the depth of this team. Five different players scored goals for the Americans and eight different players had assists. Stepan Falkovsky led the scoring with a goal and two assists. In two games Falkovsky has four points (1G, 3A) which is tied for the ECHL points lead.


- Allen's penalty kill unit stood out again, killing both of Tulsa's power play opportunities and adding a shorthanded goal. The Americans are the only team in the ECHL that has played two games and still has a penalty kill percentage of 100%.


- If you have watched the first two Allen games it is clear this team is big, tough and finishes their checks. It is early in the season and guaranteed to change but it is surprising that as of today Allen is one of the least penalized teams in the ECHL. The Americans are averaging seven penalty minutes per game. Only South Carolina has a lower average (6 minutes per game) than Allen. FYI, over the last three seasons the Americans have averaged just over 21 penalty minutes per game.


- I had the chance to check in with coach Martinson after the game and here are a few of his thoughts:

"It was nice to see we had a combination of skill goals and greasy goals tonight."

"I really liked the way we kept responding after we trailed 2-1, 3-2 and 4-3."

"We have been hanging Jake Paterson out to dry by giving up too many 2 on 1 goals. It has been the forwards not picking up low guys."

"We need to do some work but it is easier to correct mistakes when you are winning."

"Good to get some power play goals tonight."


- Allen will not play again until they take on the Utah Grizzlies on Friday and Saturday at the Allen Event Center. The team will take the day off today before getting back to practice to work on system issues and problem areas. There is also a planned team building activity scheduled this week.



OTHER COMMENTS

 - Four ECHL teams are 2-0 (Florida, Indy, Idaho, Allen). Three teams are 0-2 (Norfolk, Utah, Kansas City).


- After 19 games the average ECHL attendance is a very respectable 5668. Last season the ECHL attendance averaged 4445.


- One of the keys to the Allen roster is the depth. Of the 16 skaters who played in the first two games, seven have already scored a goal and 11 have an assist. 14 of 16 skaters have at least one point.


- Some former Allen players have gotten off to great starts in Europe:

Alex Lavoie - Alex has 15 points (5G, 10A) in nine games to lead his Norwegian team (Frisk Asker) in scoring. He is fifth in his league in scoring.

Chad Costello - Chad has 14 points (4G, 10A) in 10 games to lead his German team (Krefeld Pinguine) in scoring. He is also the leading scorer in the league (DEL).

Kale Kerbashian - Kale has nine points (5G, 4A) in 10 games to lead his Slovakian team (HK Nitra) in scoring.   



DID YOU KNOW: The Americans have won their first two games of the season which doesn't say much about how the 2019-20 season will unfold. After all, in the Americans two Kelly Cup championship seasons (2015 & 2016) they split their first two games. It is worthy of note that last season Allen won 2 or more consecutive games only three times all season. Anyway you look at it the team is off to a great start.