The Allen Americans beat the Utah Grizzlies last night 5-4 in overtime before a crowd of 2345 at the Maverik Center. Co-Captain Spencer Asuchak described the game best in his post game interview, "A bit of an ugly one tonight but the boys found a way. Good teams find ways to win when they don't play their best, I think that makes this a big one for us."
- Unlike their win on Friday night when Allen had to make a comeback, last night it looked good early for the Americans. Allen scored first and its record when scoring first is 15-2. The Americans led 1-0 after the first period and their record with a first period lead 11-0-1-0. When Allen took a 3-0 lead midway through the second period it looked like an easy win. Not the case as the wheels came off, Utah took complete control and between the 17:13 and 18:34 mark of the second period, just 81 seconds, the Grizzlies scored three times. When the second period ended Utah had tied the score 3-3 and out shot Allen 23-9. The 23 shots allowed were the most first period shots allowed in the ECHL this season.
- When Utah scored its fourth unanswered goal to take a 4-3 lead early in the third period (2:22) it looked like a bad ending for Allen. However, the resilient Americans bounced right back with a Corey Mackin power play goal 89 seconds later to tie the score 4-4 and give Allen hope. Over the final two periods Allen was out shot 37-17 but with the help of goalie Jake Paterson was able to get the game to overtime.
- It didn't take long in overtime for the Americans to end the game. Phil Beaulieu carried the puck up ice and made a great pass to Joe Garreffa who buried the game winner. It wasn't a surprise that Allen won once the game went to overtime. Utah is the worst team in the ECHL in games that go extra time with a points percentage of just .100 (1-4 in OT, 0-5 in SO). Allen on the other hand is #2 in extra time points percentage at .800 (2-1 in OT, 2-0 in SO).
- I said in the game preview yesterday the Americans needed more than the 22 shots they had in the Friday game if they expected to win on Saturday. The good news is Allen had 28 shots last night but the bad news is they allowed a season high 51 shots on goal.
- Two things that helped Allen was scoring first and winning the special teams battle. The Americans were able to send the game to overtime when they tied the score 4-4 on the only power play goal of the game. The penalty kill continued to shine killing all four Utah power play opportunities including 35 seconds of 5-on-3. The Americans have not allowed a power play goal to Utah, the #2 ranked power play in the ECHL, in the last three games (0-12).
- The goals scorers for Allen were Dyson Stevenson (3), Samuel Laberge (8), Les Lancaster (8), Corey Mackin (13) and Joe Garreffa (9). Here are the video highlights from the Allen Americans YouTube Channel:
- Here is the game recap from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/news/general/americans-win-wild-affair-beating-utah-in-overtime/
- Here is the game recap from the Utah Grizzlies: https://www.utahgrizzlies.com/en/grizzlies-news/grizzlies-lose-a-wild-5-4-ot-game
GAME THREE PREVIEW
- It will be the survival of the fittest in game three of this series this afternoon with will over skill being the primary determinant of the winner. Teams are used to playing three games in three days but this series stretches the limit. With a 1:10 pm local start time this afternoon and the beginning of daylight savings thrown in for good measure, puck drop from game one to puck drop for game three in this series will only be 41 hours. The game last night ended at midnight Allen time if you factor in daylight savings time. If you figure a couple of hours minimum for post game stretching, shower, getting something to eat and winding down along with all the pregame activities today it makes for a short period of time for rest, recuperation and and pregame activities. From the time of the final buzzer last night to the puck drop this afternoon it will be less than 14 hours.
- Coach Martinson will get some fresh legs in the lineup today with Justin Kaplemaster getting the start in goal after Jake Paterson was peppered for a total of 84 shots the past two nights. Kayle Doetzel and Ben Carroll were healthy scratches the first two games so they will be inserted in the lineup today and will help. Three things Martinson will be looking for today are fewer turnovers, more blocked shots (Utah getting too many on net) and doing a better job of getting their own shots thru.
- It is difficult to see the Americans winning today if they continue to be out shot by a wide margin. Allen has a winning record this season when being out shot by its opponents (10-6-1-0) but Utah has out shot Allen in the first two games by such a wide margin (84-50) it is hard to see the Americans winning a third game in this fashion.
- A good start will be key this afternoon since both teams will be exhausted. Neither team could hold a lead in the first two games but today an early lead will more likely hold up.
- Allen can thank special teams play for a big part of the wins on Friday and Saturday so a big key today will be can they keep up the excellent special teams play. If they do they will have a chance to sweep this series.
OTHER COMMENTS
- Having attended several practices recently it seems like the current Allen roster is a special group that plays for each other and enjoys the game. Since Allen added the four players from San Jose during the cold snap and snow/ice storm the team has won four of the last five games. The team has averaged five goals per game and that is a fun style to play. Whenever you get the feeling that everything is getting better and better something always changes. I hope I am wrong.
- Wichita lost its third straight game at home to Tulsa last night by a score of 4-1. The teams traveled to Tulsa after the game and will play again this afternoon. Fort Wayne beat Wheeling again (3-2) to widen its lead in the standings. Here are the compete standings. You will notice Fort Wayne pulling away and the race for the fourth playoff spot tightening.
.821 - Fort Wayne
.682 - Wichita
.672 - Allen
.530 - Utah
.516 - Tulsa
.500 - Kansas City
.472 - Rapid City
DID YOU KNOW: The Allen Americans have the unenviable distinction of being on the ECHL leader board for the most shots allowed this season in all three periods and these all happened in the last eight games.
First period - Allen is #1 allowing 23 shots against Kansas City on February 14 and also #2 allowing 22 shots to Greenville on February 27.
Second period - Allen is #1 allowing 23 shots to Utah last night
Third period - Allen is #2 allowing 21 shots to Greenville on February 26.
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