The Allen Americans improved their record to 18-4-3-0 last night with a 4-1 win over the Adirondack Thunder before a crowd of 2350 at the Cool Insuring Arena. It was an inauspicious beginning as Adirondack scored the first goal just 109 seconds into the game. As it seems to happen so often the two former Allen players on the Thunder factored in the goal. Alexandre Carrier scored the goal and Casey Pierro-Zabotel assisted. That was the end of the scoring for Adirondack as the Americans held the Thunder scoreless for the last 58:11 of the game.
- Josh Brittain tied the score at the 6:54 mark of the first period on a great individual effort and the teams headed into the first intermission tied 1-1. The goal was Josh's sixth in the nine games he has played since signing with Allen.
- Tyler Sheehy scored the only goal of the second period, his ninth of the season on a perfectly placed laser shot. Tyler also had an assist in the game and now leads the Americans in scoring with 26 points (9G, 17A). Sheehy also leads all ECHL rookies in scoring. Tyler is on a six game point streak (4G, 7A).
- Jordan Topping, who was playing in his first game since November 24 after spending time at home because of a family illness, scored twice in the third period, his sixth and seventh goals of the season, to make the final score 4-1.
- Zach Sawchenko had another great night in goal stopping 31 of 32 shots for a save percentage of .969. Zach improved his season save percentage .933, good for the third best save percentage in the ECHL. His record is now 7-1-1-0.
- Here are the video highlights of all of the goals and some great saves by Sawchenko:
- Here is the game recap issued by the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/topping-the-list-the-americans-win-game-1-of-a-4-game-northern-trip/
- Here is the game recap issued by the Adirondack Thunder: https://www.echlthunder.com/news/game-stories/carrier-scores-lone-goal-as-thunder-fall-to-americans-4-1
STEVE MARTINSON'S POST GAME COMMENTS
"Our depth kicked in again tonight. It has been the strength of our team this season."
"If you haven't seen the goal by Josh Brittain take a look as it was a highlight goal for sure, splitting two defensemen."
"Zach Sawchenko was really solid in goal again stopping 31 of 32 shots."
REMATCH PREVIEW
- It is hard to find fault with a 4-1 road win but there is room for improvement. Allen gave up an early goal which has happened a lot this season. The Americans have given up the first goal in 12 of their 25 games. Four of their seven losses have come when allowing the first goal.
- Allen did a good job last night of coming back from the early Adirondack goal to tie the score 1-1 after the first period. These teams have a combined record when leading after the first period of 17-4-1-0. Getting off to a good start will be a key for Allen in this rematch.
- The Americans were 0-3 on the power play last night and continue to struggle. The power play is ranked #24 at 10.8% (11-102). A power play goal would be key in the game tonight.
- Jake Paterson will get the start in goal and will try and repeat the performance of his last start when he stopped 29 of 30 shots for a save percentage of .967.
OTHER COMMENTS
- Jordan Topping's two goals last night makes 10 players with multiple goals in the last seven games, the definition of team depth.
- With the win last night Steve Martinson took another step closer to becoming #2 on the all-time wins list for pro coaches. Here is the list:
1244 - Scotty Bowman
1027 - John Brophy
1021 - Steve Martinson
- The Cool Insuring Arena where Adirondack plays, originally called the Glens Falls Arena was opened in 1979 and cost three million dollars. It was Steve Martinson's home rink when he played 46 games for the Adirondack Red Wings (AHL) in parts of two seasons from 1986-88. Martinson had 224 penalty minutes in those 46 games, averaging 4.9 PIMS per game.
- Here is a classic fight at the Glens Falls Arena from 1986. Steve Martinson was playing for Hershey and Bob Probert was playing for Adirondack. Martinson was giving up a couple of inches and 25 pounds to Probert who became an long time NHL enforcer for the Red Wings and Blackhawks.
- Allen now has 18 wins this season. Last season they didn't get their 18th win until February 22.
- Allen owner Jack Gulati was at the game last night and talked to Tommy Daniels between periods. Still nothing official from anyone connected with the Allen Americans but my reporting indicates the team is still in the process of being sold.
- Wichita lost 6-3 to Tulsa last night and has lost seven of their last nine games (two in overtime). If you go by winning percentage Utah has now passed Wichita for the final Mountain Division playoff spot. Here are the current standings with games played in parenthesis:
.780 - Allen (25)
.635 - Rapid City (26)
.574 - Idaho (27)
.543 - Utah (23)
.519 - Wichita (26)
.458 - Kansas City (24)
.423 - Tulsa (26)
- Of the four division leaders by winning percentage, Allen has the best balance of goals scored and allowed. However, there are plenty of ways to be successful. Newfoundland is #1 in goals scored (110) and #24 in goals allowed (94). South Carolina is #1 in goals allowed (49) and #10 in goals scored (80). Cincinnati is #2 in goals allowed (59) and #15 in goals scored (78). Allen is #5 in goals scored (93) and #7 in goals allowed (72).
- It is another full slate of games in the ECHL tonight with all 26 teams in action. Don't forget the Americans game will start at 4:00 pm Allen time. Here is the ECHL preview of all 13 games: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2019/12/echl-today-dec-14
DID YOU KNOW: Allen has now played 25 games. Is this the best 25 game start for Allen since joining the ECHL? Close but it falls one point short of the best start ever. In Allen's first season in the ECHL (2014-15) when they played their entire 72 game schedule against the CHL teams that joined the ECHL, they had one more point after 25 games. Here is Allen's record after 25 games for each season since joining the ECHL with points in parenthesis:
2019-20: 18-4-3-0 (39 points)
2018-19: 6-17-0-2 (14 points)
2017-18: 15-7-2-1 (33 points)
2016-17: 13-12-0-0 (26 points)
2015-16: 15-9-1-0 (31 points)*
2014-15: 19-4-1-1 (40 points)*
*Kelly Cup champions
It was fun to watch Asuchak undress Zabby on face-off after face-off!
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