A shorthanded Allen Americans team used a shorthanded goal, a power play goal and an overtime goal to defeat Tulsa 3-2 last night before a Tuesday crowd of 1482 at the Allen Event Center (AEC). The game was not as close as the final score because the Americans continue to struggle scoring goals 5-on-5. Allen hit most of the keys to the game as it scored first, outshot Tulsa 33-19, won the special teams battle and scored the game winner with less than a second remaining in overtime.
- Allen won last night despite missing its top two scoring forwards (Corey Mackin & Samuel Laberge), forward Colby McAuley who has scored seven goals since returning from injury and defenseman Philip Beaulieu who had six points (2G, 4A) in his last six games. Not only a lot of scoring missing from the lineup but also a lot of toughness.
- Spencer Asuchak scored the first goal of the game on a great individual effort. While killing a penalty Spencer used his speed to pick a defenseman's pocket and with a player draped all over him somehow manged to beat the goalie for his 14th goal of the season. Asuchak has now scored seven goals in the last 11 games.
- Asuchak's shorthanded goal was the only first period scoring so Allen took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. That lead was almost a lock for a win for the Americans as they have a record when leading after the first period of 17-0-2-1.
- Tulsa scored the only goal of the second period so the third period started with a 1-1 score. It didn't take long for Allen to regain the lead. Just 67 seconds into the third period and seven seconds into an Americans power play Zane Franklin took a pass in the slot from Matt Register and fired home his seventh goal of the season.
- Tulsa captain Adam Pleskach, a long time Allen nemesis, tied the score on a power play goal midway through the third period and that was the end of regulation scoring.
- Both teams had good opportunities in overtime and just when it looked like the game was headed to a shootout Brett Neumann ended it with .8 second remaining. Neumann put in a rebound with a top shelf backhanded shot off a Les Lancaster one timer who was set up perfectly by a pass from Josh Lammon.
Here are the video highlights from the Allen Americans YouTube channel. Here is something to look for on each goal. I always watch the replays several times as there is always more going on other then the puck in the net. On Asuchak's shorthanded goal watch for the effort he made just to get to the defenseman to steal the puck. On Franklin's goal from the slot notice the nice pass from Matt Register. On the overtime winner watch for the great pass from Lammon to Lancaster for the one timer and how Neumann handled the rebound to get the backhander up so quickly.
- Here is the game recap issued by the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/game-recap/hello-neumann-americans-win-in-overtime/
COACH'S CORNER by Steve Martinson
"The team played good defensively last night. Anytime you hold a team to five shots in a period and allow only 19 shots in 67 minutes of hockey you are defending well."
"On Tulsa's first goal the puck bounced of a shin pad into the net and the second goal on the power play was a broken play when our defenseman was taken down by a stick."
"Brett Neumann scored 45 goals his last two seasons in the OHL. He made a nice shot on the overtime winner and he is just getting started with his goal scoring."
"We were missing a lot of scoring with Laberge, Mackin, McAuley, and Beaulieu out of the lineup but it gives other players opportunity to get more ice time and see what they can do.
"Laberge, Mackin and McAuley are all listed as day to day so hopefully some or all of them will be ready for the Wichita series on Friday."
"I was not planning to play Sam Ruopp against Tulsa since he just arrived and hadn't been practicing or playing. After morning skate he came up to me and said he wanted to play. He brings toughness to the lineup and he moved the puck well in the game."
"Collin Shirley is a big body, skilled, two-way forward who led his team in scoring in the WHL and was also captain of the team. He will be available this weekend."
"We will have some players practice today to take shots on the goalies and will have a full team practice on Thursday."
"Justin Kapelmaster will join Cleveland (AHL) who is in Austin this weekend for three games against the Texas Stars.
OTHER COMMENTS
- The Americans now must prepare for a very important series this weekend. Allen has been battling Wichita all season for a top spot in the Western Conference. They have played seven times and Allen's record against the Thunder is 3-3-1-0. There is a good chance these teams could meet in the first round of the playoffs. When the teams played a week ago it was not pretty as Wichita won by a score of 4-1. After the three games this weekend, Allen and Wichita will play once more (June 2 in Allen). If Allen hopes to be successful in the playoffs they have to be able to beat Wichita who will bring skill and toughness to the weekend series. Allen needs to match that skill and toughness and win the series.
- Was asked last night when was the last time Allen won by four or more goals. It was as much of a comment as a question as it was noted most Allen teams of the past would win by big margins frequently. Winning by four or more goals hasn't happened much this season. Here are the four times this season Allen won by 4+ goals. Most were on the road and early in the season.
March 12 - Allen won in Utah 6-2
January 24 - Allen shutout the Oilers 5-0 in Tulsa
January 1 - Allen won 5-1 in Wichita
December 27 - Allen beat Tulsa 5-1 at the AEC
- I also had a question concerning the rule that requires a suspension after a player has been in 10 fights. The question was whether the slate is wiped clean for the playoffs. The answer is yes, a player will get two fights in the playoffs before being suspended.
- If you have a question let me know, whether it is stats related, rule related or something I can get answered from Steve Martinson. Not sure I will always be able to come up with the answer but it is fun trying.
- Utah is playing in Wichita tonight so the Thunder will have the unenviable task of playing four games in five days with travel. Wichita will be in Allen on Friday (7:05 pm), Saturday (7:05 pm) and Sunday (2:05 pm).
- Matt Register and Les Lancaster both factored in the scoring last night and built their lead in points by ECHL defensemen. Lancaster is #1 with 41 points (15G, 26A) and Register is #2 with 38 points (2G, 36A).
DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL may end the season with no teams having a points percentage of .700 or higher. Here is the ECHL Stats post for today that shows how unusual that is:
Barry, let’s let the fans know that Jack Gulati will be at the games this weekend. Everybody should go tell him to resign Marti!!!!
ReplyDeleteOne thing we are missing is a heavy handed enforcer that’s polices the other team. In the past when we’ve had this force we’ve played better hockey. Even this season we play better when we get charged from a little extra. What are the odds of an enforcer type, that brings puck skills as well to the team, a Doty type player?
ReplyDeleteIf Marty isn’t signed it’s clear Gulati isn’t interested in keeping Allen.
ReplyDeleteMarty was supposed to meet with jack last time he was in town for five days and did not. What does that tell you about what kind of person he is.
ReplyDeleteHere's what I'll tell you, If Marty isn't signed I'm not renewing my season tickets, and I have told them that. I'll bet there's more too. If you didn't get the message here it is. You've got the winningest active coach on the planet and yet you treat him like crap. He can sign anywhere and you know it. If he goes so will a lot of fans. Yu think some other coach will fill the seats? Not likely.
Everyone ought to stop what they're doing and give him a piece of your mind.
Bruce,
DeleteI certainly understand your sentiment and it is shared with many fans that communicate with me. To be fair, Steve Martinson and Jack Gulati did meet the last time Jack was in town. My advice to all Allen fans is to make sure those in charge know how you feel no matter what your opinion is about retaining Steve Martinson. I am sure many factors are considered by the owner of an ECHL franchise related to the on ice product but one of them has to be fan opinion. Jack Gulati will be in Allen this weekend and he always likes to talk to fans.