The Allen Americans tied an all-time record last night and it is not the type of record that sets a positive tone early in the season. Allen lost to Utah 10-4 in a game that was not as close as the final score. It is the third time in team history the Americans have lost a game by six goals. Unfortunately all three of the six goal losses have come in 2019 and all were at home (see details below).
- Things went downhill for Allen very quickly as the Grizzlies scored 34 seconds after the opening puck drop. Starting goalie, Dereck Baribeau, playing in his first professional game, was injured and had to be helped off the ice at the 4:47 mark of the first period. Dereck's injury is a lower body injury and how long he will be out won't be known until he is seen by the doctor but I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up on the injured reserve list. Jake Paterson replaced Baribeau in goal and had to suffer through a lack of defensive support time and time again.
- By the end of the first period Allen was trailing 4-0 and by the 17:50 mark of the second period Utah had an 8-1 lead. The Americans did manage to score three goals in just 89 seconds late in the second period to close the gap to 8-4 but that is as close as they got. Utah outscored Allen 2-0 in the third period to make the final score 10-4.
- The goal scorers for Allen were Spencer Asuchak, Tyler Sheehy, Jordan Topping and Brett Pollock.
- The Allen penalty kill entered the game at 100% but surrendered three goals in seven opportunities. In one game the penalty kill percentage went from being tied for #1 in the league at 100% to being ranked #18 at 78.6%. Allen's power play was 0-3 against Utah and is now at 14.3%.
- It is difficult to find a positive in a game that ends with a 10-4 loss. Jared VanWormer, playing in his first game for Allen, defied the odds and was actually a +1 on the night. Jared had one assist in the game.
- Here is the game recap issued by the Utah Grizzlies: https://www.utahgrizzlies.com/en/grizzlies-news/grizzlies-go-beast-mode-in-10-4-win
- Here are the video highlights courtesy of the Allen Americans:
- Here are Steve Martinson's post game comments:
ALLEN VS UTAH REMATCH PREVIEW
- The answer to the question of what the Americans need to do to be successful tonight is easy, everything. Allen needs to be ready to play from the opening puck drop. In three games the Americans have just one first period goal. Special teams have to be better, the Americans have to stay out of the penalty box and they can't have turnovers that lead to odd man rushes. With Baribeau out Jake Paterson will have to carry the load and will have to be better tonight. Martinson could and will re-sign Evan Weninger, who was released yesterday, but only if he clears waivers. The ECHL rules do not allow teams to revoke waivers so it will be wait and see if Weninger is claimed.
- With the poor performance last night Martinson will have plenty of candidates to sit out tonight. There is little doubt that the two players on reserve (Mike Hedden & Josh Lammon) will be in the lineup tonight. The only question is which two players will be put on reserve.
- Utah has outscored their opponent 17-5 in the last two games and have been led by Josh Dickinson (#22) who had a hat trick in both games. Dickinson's brother (Jason) plays for the Dallas Stars. There have been three hat tricks in the ECHL thus far and Josh owns two of them. Dickinson leads the ECHL in goals with six and his teammate, Travis Barron (#19) is second with five goals. Utah has three lines that can score and that always presents a challenge. If Allen doesn't dig in and outwork Utah tonight they could get embarrassed again.
OTHER COMMENTS
- Josh Atkinson and Matt Register were in the lineup last night for the Iowa Wild and both factored in the scoring. Matt scored his first AHL goal and Josh got his first AHL assist as the Wild beat Manitoba 6-4 to improve their Central Division leading record to 4-0-0-1. Turner Ottenbreit was a healthy scratch but he could be in the lineup tonight when the same teams play again.
- With Matt Register scoring a goal last night it makes it more likely he will be staying in Iowa. Coach Martinson could use Matt's veteran slot to recruit another veteran. With only four veterans allowed on the active roster in the ECHL, they are coveted spots. There are plenty of free agent veterans just waiting to be recruited. Whether Martinson will recruit one remains to be seen.
- Allen is toward the top of the league in goals scored, ranked #8 averaging four goals scored per game. With the 10 goal outburst by Utah last night the Americans now rank #25 in goals allowing, giving up an average of 5.33 goals per game.
DID YOU KNOW: Here are the worst defeats (losses by five or more goals) in Allen Americans history in chronological order. It is noteworthy eight of the 12 worst defeats in history happened at home and the three times Allen has lost by six goals all took place at the AEC since March 6th of this year.
10-4: Utah - 10/19/2019 (home)
9-3: Kansas City - 3/8/19 (home
6-0: Kansas City - 3/6/19 (home)
5-0: Utah - 11/23/18 (away)
6-1: Kansas City - 3/24/18 (home)
5-0: Idaho - 1/6/2018 (away)
6-1: Tulsa - 11/21/15 (home)
8-1: Colorado - 11/14/15 (home)
6-1: Fort Worth - 2/23/13 (away)
5-0: Laredo - 2/25/12 (away)
11-6: Colorado - 1/1/11 (home)
5-0: Tulsa - 12/18/10 (home)
6-1: Laredo - 3/4/10 (away)
6-1: Rapid City - 1/15/10 (home)
Glad I missed it! Early in the season but that is a bad loss.
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