Allen vs Utah Series Preview, All-Star Game Rant and More

The Allen Americans are in Utah for the weekend as the top two teams in the Mountain Division square off for the second time in 10 days. Allen and Utah play each other nine times this season with the first four at the Allen Event Center and the last five at the Maverik Center. After the two games tonight and tomorrow night the Americans will make another trip to Utah for the final three games in March.


- If you just look at their record in the four games against Utah in Allen the Americans were 2-2  but the record doesn't tell the whole story. The second weekend of the season Utah beat Allen 10-4 in game one and the Americans won game two 5-4 in overtime. It was a similar outcome 10 days ago when Utah won game one 6-1 and Allen won game two 6-5 in overtime. The Americans can say they split with Utah earning four of eight points but the Grizzlies can say they earned six of eight points, on the road, against the best team in the division.


- The cumulative totals in the four games these teams have played would indicate a clear advantage for Utah. They have outscored Allen 25-16 and out shot the Americans 161-109. If Allen expects to earn points this weekend they will have to improve defensively. In the four games against Utah in Allen the Americans gave up an average of 40 shots and 6.25 goals per game.


- If you compare the last 10 games, Allen's record is 6-3-1-0, Utah's is 6-2-1-1. Allen has won three straight, Utah has points in six straight games (5-0-1-0).


- Utah will be without their top goalie, Martin Ouellette, who was recently signed (SPC) by the Providence Bruins (AHL).


- If you look at season long special teams percentages (Allen on the road, Utah at home) the Grizzlies have the advantage on the power play (19.2% vs 18.6%) and penalty kill (89.7% vs 80.3%). However, if you look at Allen's last four games, which includes two games against Utah, the Allen special teams have been outstanding. The Americans are 46.7% (7-15) on the power play and 100% on the penalty kill (0-11). The penalty kill unit also has two shorthanded goals in the last four games.


- As usual a good start is vital for both teams in the game tonight. Allen is 20-3-0-1 when scoring first, Utah is 15-2-1-0. With a first period lead Allen is 17-2-2-0, Utah is 9-1-1-0.

 
- The likelihood of overtime is pretty good as two of the first four games these teams have played were ended in overtime with both being won by Allen. The Americans lead the ECHL in overtime games played (39%) and Utah isn't far behind at 32%. Allen is 9-6 in overtimes, 1-1 in shootouts. Utah is 3-5 in overtimes, 3-2 in shootouts.


- Haven't seen anything on ECHL transactions but the San Jose Barracuda lost a goalie (Josef Korenar) to an injury in their game on Wednesday so it is certain Andrew Shortridge is headed to San Jose. Jake Paterson and Dereck Baribeau are with Allen in Utah and Paterson is expected to get the start in goal tonight.


- Coach Martinson was not anticipating any of the players currently in the AHL to be back this weekend.



OTHER COMMENTS

- If you didn't have a chance to follow the ECHL All-Star game here is the recap issued by the ECHL:  https://www.echl.com/en/news/2020/1/2020-all-star-game-recap


- The All-Star game recap makes no mention of a play in the championship game between the Western Conference and Eastern Conference where the referee deliberately kicked the puck to Kali Flanagan of the Eastern Conference who scored into an open net because the Western Conference goalie came out of the goal to play the puck. It turned out to be the difference in the game as the East won 4-3. The East started out the final game with a 2-0 lead because they earned extra goals in the accuracy skill contest. In the actual final/championship game the West outscored the East 3-1 but if you add the 2-0 lead the East started with and the referee deliberately giving the East a goal you come up with a final score of 4-3. C'MON MAN!  


 - It is a busy night around the ECHL tonight with 24 of 26 teams in action. Here is the ECHL's preview of all 12 games: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2020/1/echl-today-jan-24


- The games this weekend will be a good test for the Americans. Allen's record in January is 6-3-1-0 but with the exception of the two games at home against Utah the Americans have played teams with records below .500 and out of the playoffs.


- Allen has always been a good road team and this season is no different. The Americans winning percentage at home is .750 but is almost as good on the road at .725.



DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL All-Star game has seen many changes over the years. The most common format has been one conference against the other but in recent years the format has changed. The game was not held in 2012, 2014 and 2016. The format changed in 2011 to the All-Stars vs the host team. The last three seasons the format has been a three on three tournament with four teams. Jacksonville has been awarded the All-Star game for 2021 so it remains to be seen what if any format changes will be made.