Allen Loses Opener, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Interviews and More

 

It was a disappointing opening night for the Allen Americans as they lost to the Tulsa Oilers 4-3 last night before a crowd of 2590 at the BOK Center. The Americans got off to a slow start playing much of the first period in their own end but managed to score the first goal of the game at the 2:24 mark when rookie Jake McGrew scored his first professional goal. Jake put in a rebound off an Alex Lavoie shot. It looked good for the Americans at that point when you consider in the last 13 meetings between Allen and Tulsa dating back to March 2, 2019 the team that scored first won the game. All streaks must come to an end and this one did in Tulsa last night. The Americans were lucky to end the first period tied 1-1 as they were out shot 18-7.

 

- After going down 3-1 early in the second period Allen played much better, out shooting Tulsa 18-8 and tied the score 3-3 on Jake McGrew's second goal of the game and rookie Zane Franklin's first pro goal. The second period ended in a 3-3 tie. Allen wasn't able to carry the momentum into the third period and couldn't recovery after going down 4-3. 

 

- Here are the video highlights with all of the goals:

 

 

- There were certainly some good things to come out of the game. Allen scored the first goal of the game, they came back after falling behind 3-1 and all three goals were scored by rookies. Coach Martinson will have plenty to work on at practice this week and plenty of time since Allen doesn't play again until Friday at home against Rapid City. One of the drills the team will be working on according to Martinson when we talked after the game is doing a better job of supporting the puck on the breakout. And as always he will concentrate on the defensive breakdowns on the goals allowed. 

 

- Here is the game recap issued by the Allen Americans:  https://allenamericans.com/media/game-recap/americans-fall-4-3-in-season-opener/   

- Here is the game recap issued by the Tulsa Oilers: https://www.tulsaoilers.com/oilers-emerge-victorious-over-americans/  

 

- Steve Martinson's post game interview:

 

Dyson Stevenson's post game interview:

OTHER COMMENTS

- Sam Laberge assisted on all three Allen goals and leads the ECHL in points per game (3.00). Sam and Alex Lavoie were both +3 in the loss to Tulsa. Only five players had a positive plus/minus rating.

 

- Allen's toughness did not translate to penalty minutes in the game against Tulsa. The Americans are last in the ECHL in penalty minutes (2) with just one minor penalty last night. The next closest teams have eight penalty minutes. The top two teams in PIMS have 62 and 59.

- COVID has certainly impacted attendance at games. Here was the attendance at the five games last night. It should be noted South Dakota and Florida are two of the least restrictive states when it comes to occupancy limitations.

3236 - Florida

3216 - Rapid City

3149 - Jacksonville

2590 - Tulsa

759 - Wheeling 

- Observations after the first weekend of ECHL hockey. Only 10 games have been played so keep that in mind. Seven teams have played two games, six have played one game:

Average attendance (10 games) was 2733 ranging from 759 to 3393. Three teams (Rapid City, Florida, Jacksonville) are above 3000.

 

After just 10 games only three teams (Florida, Indy, Wichita) have a perfect winning/point percentage.

 

Average PIMS per game ranged from 31 (Florida) to 2 (Allen).

 

 In 7 of 10 games played thus far, one team ended up with three goals. In four of the seven games three goals were enough to win.

 

 

 

- This certainly won't be the case the entire ECHL season as teams need to play 72 games by June but early in the season games are spread out. There were 10 games on Friday and Saturday and now there are no ECHL games until next Friday. There will be no midweek ECHL games until Monday, December 28. 

 

- It is just the first weekend of the season but Florida is in a familiar spot at the top of the ECHL standings. They are one of two teams (Indy the other) that earned four points this weekend. Florida is #1 in average goals scored (5.00) and goals allowed (1.50). They also lead the ECHL in penalty minutes (62) and average PIMS per games (31). 

 

- Allen's opening night record in the 12 years of the franchise now stands at 7-5. The Americans were 4-1 on opening night in the five seasons in the CHL. Since joining the ECHL Allen's opening night record is 3-4. If you are looking for a silver lining after the opening game loss to Tulsa last night, the two seasons Allen won the Kelly Cup (2014-15 & 2015-16) they lost their opening night game. I guess you can take another Kelly Cup to the bank, haha.

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: Here is a trip down memory lane. Alex Lavoie had an assist on Allen's first goal last night. His last assist in an Americans jersey was over five years ago on May 3, 2014 in the CHL playoffs. It was game two of the finals against Denver. The Americans had lost game one and were in danger of going down 2-0 as they were trailing 3-2 in the third period. Alex assisted on a goal by Steven Tarasuk to tie the score but Denver came right back to take the lead with just over four minutes remaining in the game. Allen pulled their goalie (Bryan Pitton) and tied the game with an extra attacker on a goal by Anthony Maiani. The game went to two overtimes before Jamie Schaafsma got the game winner. That double overtime win on the road in Denver to avoid going down 2-0 in the series gave Allen the momentum. They went on to win the next three games and the series 4-1 for their second straight CHL championship. Jamie Schaafsma had six goals in the five game series and won the playoff MVP award.