Allen vs Rapid City Preview, Roster Update, Matt Register Story, The Ironmen and More

After a successful but exhausting four game road trip where Allen earned six of eight points the Americans now have the challenge of three more games in less than 48 hours before the much needed Christmas break arrives.


-First up are two games (tonight and Saturday) against the second best team (by winning percentage) in the Mountain Division, the Rapid City Rush. There is little doubt the Rush will have the fresher legs going into the game tonight. Here is a comparison of the last week for both of these teams.

Rapid City - played at home last Saturday and resting ever since

Allen - played in Adirondack last Saturday and bused 400 miles to Brampton after the game. Played the Beast on Sunday. On Monday Allen bused 500 miles to Worcester. Played Worcester on Wednesday. Thursday bused to Boston to fly back to Allen. To make matters worse for Allen, during the road trip they lost Nick Boka, Olivier Archambault and Spencer Asuchak to injury and Gabe Gagne to a loan to the AHL. None of these players are available tonight.


- With all of the missing forwards I wouldn't be surprised if coach Martinson reaches out to Gary Steffes to help out. Steffes stays in great shape, attends some practices as a volunteer coach and I know he and coach Martinson have talked about the possibility of helping out when the team is shorthanded. Now may be that time.   


- There is no time for sympathy for the Americans as they need to find a way to overcome the obstacles and get two wins against Rapid City. Here are a few keys to this two game series.


- Rapid City was the last ECHL team to lose a home game, winning nine straight at the start of the season. However, the Rush are now in the midst of a four game losing streak with all four losses coming at home. In the four losses the Rush managed just six goals.


- Allen's strength has been their consistency and depth. They have not gone more than one game this season without earning a point. The Americans have won five of their last six games. In their last four games, 11 different players scored goals.


- The game tonight will be the fourth of nine times these teams will meet this season. The Americans won the first three meetings, all at the Allen Event Center (AEC) by one goal. Here were the results:

October 11: 3-2 in overtime
November 1: 3-2 in overtime
November 2: 4-3


- Special teams are always a key and Rapid City's success has been partially due to great special teams play. When you add power play and penalty kill percentages together and the number exceeds 105% it is considered outstanding. Anything below 100% is considered disappointing. Here are those percentages:

Rapid City:  106.8% - (PP 19.7%, PK 87.1%)
Allen:           93.7%  - (PP 12.9%, PK 80.8%)


- On the recently completed four game road trip the Allen power play was much improved going 4-17 (23.5%). The penalty kill struggled on the road trip going 6-15 for a penalty kill percentage of a dismal 60%. With the disparity of special teams success the key for Allen in winning the special teams battle against Rapid City is to stay out of the penalty box.


- The biggest key for Allen in the game tonight is to play better team defense. Allen has given up 16 goals in the last three games. Both Allen goalies have played well but they need some help. Zach Sawchenko should get the start tonight with Jake Paterson in goal tomorrow.


- Brett Pollock and Tyler Sheehy will be trying to extend streaks tonight. Pollock has an assist in eight straight games. Sheehy also has an eight game assist streak but also has a nine game point streak.



OTHER COMMENTS

-  Here is a story about Matt Register's experience with the Iowa Wild. He points out in the story he has lost close to 17 pounds since the season began and has been working with the Wild's skating guru, Aaron Ness. Here is a link to the story: https://www.iowawild.com/news/detail/veteran-register-finds-iowa-the-place-to-take-the-next-step


- There are 12 games on tap around the ECHL tonight. Here is the "ECHL Today" with a preview of all of the games:  https://www.echl.com/en/news/2019/12/echl-today-dec-20


- Chad Costello continues to lead the DEL, the top German league, in scoring. In 28 games Chad has 36 points (15G, 21A). His team, Krefeld Pinguine, is in 12th place in the 14 team league.


- Last season two teams finished with a winning percentage above .700. This season there are three teams still above .700.

 2018-19
.764 - Cincinnati Cyclones
.736 - Florida Everblades

2019-20
.854 - South Carolina Stingrays
.768 - Allen Americans
.722 - Cincinnati Cyclones



DID YOU KNOW: With Spencer Asuchak out with an injury the Americans are down to just two players that have played in all 28 games, Brett Pollock and Alex Breton. In their 10 year history the Americans have had at least one player play in every game each season, the Ironmen. Will that 10 year streak be broken in 2019-20? Here is the list of Ironmen from past seasons:

2018-19 - Spencer Asuchak 
2017-18 - Joel Chouinard, Casey Pierro-Zabotel
2016-17 - Chad Costello, Joel Chouinard
2015-16 - Chad Costello
2014-15 - Chad Costello, Aaron Gens, Jamie Schaafsma
2013-14 - Spencer Asuchak, Daniel Tetrault, Mike Berube
2012-13 - Jamie Schaafsma, Jason Deitsch
2011-12 - Jason Deitsch
2010-11 - Colton Yellow Horn, David Strathman
2009-10 - Bruce Graham, Christian Gaudet