Allen Extends Point Streak to Five Games and Steve Martinson Comments on His Future

 

It was a clash of rivals at the Allen Event Center (AEC) on a Friday night and they put on a great show. The physical play was evident from the opening puck drop to the final buzzer. Fans may have thought they were at rugby match with all the scrums after the whistle. When the dust settled Allen won an entertaining game 4-3 over the Kansas City Mavericks before a crowd of 1640. The Americans have now won the first two games of a four game series. The teams will meet again tonight (7:05 pm) and Sunday (2:05 pm) at the AEC.

 

- Goalie Jake Paterson, playing in his first game since March 13 when he was injured, stopped 35 of 38 Mavericks shots including several breakaways and got run over in the goal crease which resulted in a "charging the goaltender" penalty that ended up producing a power play goal.

 

- The game was a wild one with periods of wide open play that led to grade A chances for both teams, a bunch of times when the puck went off the goal post, fights, roughing penalties, post whistle scrums and plenty of chirping. The game even had an exciting ending when Kansas City closed the gap to 4-3 with less then three minutes left in the game and then tried to capitalize on Allen's second delay of game penalty for shooting the puck out of play with less than two minutes remaining. The Mavericks pulled the goalie but could not convert their 6-on-4 advantage.

 

- Allen scored the first goal of the game early in the first period (3:49) and improved its record when scoring first to 20-5-0-1. The team that has scored first has won five of the six games Allen and Kansas City have played this season. 

 

- Allen won the special teams battle in style. The Americans were 3-4 on the power play. It is the first time all season Allen has scored three power play goals. In the last six games the power play percentage is 27.6% (8-29) and the penalty kill percentage is 88.5% (3-26). 

 

- Goal scorers for Allen were Samuel Laberge (13), Les Lancaster (12), Spencer Asuchak (8) and Steve Owre (2). Here are the video highlights from the Allen Americans YouTube channel:

 

 - Here is the game recap form the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/news/general/americans-take-down-the-mavericks-4-3/

 

- Here is the game recap issued by Kansas City: https://www.kcmavericks.com/en/news/mavericks-defeated-by-allen-friday-night-4-3

 

- In addition to scoring his 12th goal of the season to lead all defensemen in the ECHL in goals scored by three, Les Lancaster also had two assists last night and now leads all ECHL defensemen in points with 34. I get asked all of the time why Les hasn't been given an opportunity in the AHL with the way he has played this season. My opinion is AHL teams are more interested in playing their draft picks to  develop them in this shortened pandemic season. Winning is not important and right now college players are being added to AHL teams for the last few weeks of the season. If anything you will see depth players being assigned to ECHL teams as more draft choices and prospects are signed and report to AHL teams. If this was a normal season players like Lancaster and Samuel Laberge would be playing in the AHL based on what they have done in Allen. 

GAME THREE PREVIEW

- Allen has won the first two games of the four game series with Kansas City in much different ways. In game one Allen battled back after giving up the first goal and falling behind 2-0, didn't have a power play goal and allowed a power play goal. Last night Allen scored the first goal early and had its best power play night of the season scoring three goals. Allen needs to continue the formula that was successful last night.

- Here is the latest from coach Martinson on the game tonight. There will be lineup changes starting with Frank Marotte getting the start in goal. Jake Paterson hasn't played a game in almost a month so it would be unfair to ask him to play back to back games after what he went through last night. One or two of the players that were healthy scratches last night will be in the lineup tonight. Martinson needs to check to see how everyone is this morning before making a final decision.

- If you heard Martinson's pregame interview last night he was talking about some adjustments he was planning from game one to game two. Nothing too structured but with so many new forwards playing with different lines Martinson wanted to make sure players could get to spots where they were open. When I talked to Martinson this morning he was pleased with the adjustments even though Allen scored only one even strength goal. The Americans hit several posts and had numerous 2-on-1 chances.

- Martinson also noted Kansas City was playing three lines much of the time while the Americans were going with four lines. Over a long series that should work to Allen's advantage. Martinson also mentioned the team has done a good job of getting the puck in deep and using their physicality against the Kansas City defensemen. To quote Martinson, "The opposing defensemen know they are going to get hit and they know there are six more periods of that coming."

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- Allen has now won four of its last five games and the lone loss was a shootout loss. The Americans have earned nine of a possible 10 points since April 1. The top three teams in the Western Conference (Fort Wayne, Wichita, Allen) won last night so Allen remains in third place but improved its winning percentage to .655. 

 

- Here is the ECHL Today with a preview of all seven games on tap in the ECHL tonight: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2021/4/echl-today-april-10  

 

MARTINSON COMMENTS

- I talk to Steve Martinson everyday and he has made it clear how important the month of April is for the team with a lot of moving parts. He feels the team can catch Wichita and Fort Wayne and 12 home games this month is the time to make the move. In addition to all that is happening on the ice, Martinson the general manager is working to improve the roster for the home stretch and playoffs. This is where I always say Martinson is playing chess when many are playing checkers. His 26 years of  experience in AA hockey makes him uniquely qualified for the job. 

 

- I knew this day was coming but was surprised this morning when talking to coach Martinson about all of the moving parts involving the team he shared the moving parts as it relates to him personally. I have written many times in the blog that the reigning ECHL General Manager of the Year was on the last year of his contract which expires July 1. It is hard to understand why Martinson has not been given a contract extension but it is what it is. Here is what Martinson shared with me this morning:

"I don't want to be wondering in July what I am doing. Right now I want to climb the standings and have other organizations take notice of the entertaining brand of hockey we are playing."

"If I am going to leave next season is probably the best time to do it with 13 teams on the sidelines watching."

 

- I have written this blog since Steve Martinson's first season (2012-13). I have interacted with fans, players and the front office for nine years. I know Martinson's impact on the success of the franchise is immeasurable. The impact on the franchise if he leaves is also immeasurable. Hopefully he will be given another contract with the Allen Americans but as each week passes the likelihood of that happening diminishes. I know with season ticket renewals in full swing many fans are waiting to see if Martinson is re-signed to make that commitment. Let's hope for the best!