It has been over a year since Allen and Wichita played a close game but that is what fans got last night as the Americans beat the Thunder 4-3 in overtime before a crowd of 1388 at INTRUST Bank Arena. It didn't look good for Allen after they squandered a 2-0 first period lead only to have Wichita score three unanswered goals to go ahead 3-2 midway through the third period. However, the Americans power play came through on their seventh power play opportunity to tie the score 3-3 with just over seven minutes left in the game. The game went to overtime and Wichita had the better chances out shooting Allen 7-3 but Zach Sawchenko was a difference maker. At the 5:28 mark of overtime Allen had a 2-on-1 rush with two of the most dangerous players in the ECHL. ECHL points leader (Joe Garreffa) and assist leader (Tyler Sheehy) executed to perfection. Once they got to the blueline the puck went from Sheehy to Garreffa back to Sheehy who snapped a shot from the lower slot to end the game.
- Goal scorers for Allen were Corey Mackin (3), Turner Ottenbreit (1), Joe Garreffa (5) and Tyler Sheehy (2). Sheehy, Garreffa and Mackin all had a goal and assist in the game. Garreffa has a goal and an assist in the last three games and now leads the ECHL with 10 points (5G, 5A). Sheehy has an assist in five straight games and leads the ECHL in assists with seven. Here are the highlight packages put together by both teams. Always fun to compare the home and away highlight calls.
- Allen Americans broadcast highlights:
- Wichita Thunder broadcast highlights:
- Allen Americans game recap press release: https://allenamericans.com/news/americans-rally-late-beat-wichita-in-overtime/
- Wichita Thunder game recap press release: https://www.wichitathunder.com/news/echl-news/late-surge-falls-short-in-ot.html
- Steve Martinson's post game comments:
- The Allen power play scored a goal in all three games against Wichita but as Martinson mentioned in his post game interview the power play is still not clicking consistently. The power play was 3-20 (15.0%) against Wichita.
- Another bright spot for the American against Wichita was their shots on goals. Allen had a total of 115 shots in the three games and had 40+ shots twice. Allen ranks #2 in the league in average shots per game.
- It will be a short time at home for the team. Talked to coach Martinson this morning and he shared after the day off today the team will practice on Monday and fly to Rapid City Tuesday morning. They will practice in Rapid City Tuesday afternoon in preparation for games against the Rush on Wednesday Friday and Saturday.
- The exact makeup of the roster traveling to Rapid City is not determined yet. Martinson expects Motte, Laberge, Bleackley and Asuchak to make the trip. Dyson Stevenson will not be on the trip. While Stevenson is cleared he has not skated so he will stay in Allen and skate. The type of injury Dyson suffered requires easing back into game shape.
- Martinson also shared he has come to terms with a top collegiate goalie who should arrive in Allen after the Rapid City trip. With AHL training camps starting up soon and all 30 NHL teams carrying three goalies this season, Martinson is trying to position himself to be prepared should he lose a goalie.
CONNER BLEACKLEY PLAYER PROFILE
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| Conner Bleackley |
- The Allen Americans announced yesterday they have signed Conner Bleackley. The 6'0" 200 pound right shot center has a storied hockey career even though he is only 24. A highly touted amateur player, Connor was selected in the first round (23rd overall) by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2014 NHL draft. Conner had a great season in his draft year playing for the Red Deer Rebels in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was the captain of the team and had 68 points (29G, 39A) in 71 games.
- Here is Bleackley's NHL scouting report from Dobber Prospects before the 2014 draft, "As Rebel's captain, Bleackley is a diligent attentive forward capable of contributing in all three zones. His strong character, trust-worthy defensive acumen and nonstop motor earn him plenty of opportunities. Producing at over a point per game, Bleackley has shown sound offensive skills but he is fairly average in that department and his skating could use another gear. Bleackley projects as a versatile energy forward with admirable intangibles capable of playing in a top-six role."
- Bleackley's performance in his subsequent WHL seasons were not as good as his draft season. His draft rights were traded by Colorado to Arizona but he was never signed. He re-entered the 2016 NHL draft and was taken by St. Louis in the fifth round but was never signed. Conner suffered two serious injuries in his last season in juniors (2015-16). Early in the season he fractured his knee cap and at the end of the season he severed tendons in his wrist. Since turning pro in 2016-17 he has played in 133 AHL games and 87 ECHL games. In his 87 ECHL games Bleackley has 78 points (35G, 43A).
- I am sure it has been difficult for Conner to be so highly regarded, drafted in the first round of the NHL draft and never sign an NHL contract. When you read stories from the past they always point out he is the only one of the 30 first round draft picks from 2014 that has not played in the NHL. The stories also point out that taken two spots behind Bleackley at #25, by the Boston Bruins, was NHL all-star David Pastrnak who has played 390 NHL games and has 379 points (180G, 199A).
- What Bleackley will bring to the Americans is a player with a lot of experience but is still only 24 years old. A two way center that can play in all situations that should thrive in Steve Martinson's system. Hard working, good character, good motor, plays well in all three zones are skills that are hard to teach. Conner has a lot of upside and if he does well in Allen he could end up back in the AHL. Last season he spent 10 games with the Texas Stars and had five points (3G, 2A).
DID YOU KNOW: Don't remember this ever happening before but the Allen Americans have the ECHL leader in goals, points and assists. Joe Garreffa has 10 points, one more than any other player. Jesse Mychan has seven goals, two more than any other player and Tyler Sheehy has seven assists, one more than any other player.
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