It was just what the doctor ordered last night for the Allen Americans to break out of a slump before heading on the road for seven games. After two losses in Kansas City in which Allen blew a 3-1 lead in one game and fell behind 3-0 in the first period in the other, the Americans beat the Mavericks 7-2 last night. A Monday night crowd of 1815 at the Allen Event Center (AEC) watched as the Americans set several scoring records for the season. Here are a few examples:
7 goals - Allen hadn't scored seven goals in a game since February 22, 2019.
5 first period goals - Allen's five first period goals is tied for the most goals in a period in the ECHL this season.
3 goals - Les Lancaster had a hat trick, the first defenseman with a hat trick in the ECHL this season.
1 goal - Corey Mackin scored the fifth goal of the first period with two seconds remaining. It was a shorthanded goal, Mackin's fifth of the season which leads the ECHL.
66 goals - Allen added to its ECHL lead in first period goals. Only three other teams have 50+ goals in the first period, non higher than 57.
- Goal scorers for Allen were Steve Owre (3), Les Lancaster (21,22,23), Sam Laberge (15), Corey Mackin (26) and Dominic Cormier (1). 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-dominate-mavericks-7-2/
- Here is the game recap issued by the Kansas City Mavericks: https://www.kcmavericks.com/en/news/mavericks-defeated-by-allen-monday-night
COACH'S CORNER
"We had a great first period, moved the puck and shot well."
"Mackin's shorthanded goal with two seconds left in the first period was the turning point in the game. Had Kansas City scored on that power play the score after the first period would have been 4-3 after we had a 3-0 lead. Instead, with Mackin's goal we had a 5-2 lead."
"Our checking line that covered Kansas City's top line outscored the Mavericks. That is always a good sign."
"What has gotten us in trouble defensively recently is making turnovers in bad spots which creates good chances for our opponent. You can call it bad decisions or you can call it dumb plays. Turnovers in the defensive zone are the worst because players are not in position to defend. We did much better in avoiding bad decisions last night. If we don't beat ourselves we are hard to play against."
"Zane Franklin will be on the trip to Utah. Josh Maser will not be on the trip. Josh has decided to go home and will attend college."
"I plan on rotating the three goalies with the goalie that stays home for the Utah series going on the trip to Rapid City."
"We don't leave for Utah until tonight but we will not practice this morning. I am trying to give the guys as many days off as possible."
"I expect two players to join the team soon. One, from an AHL team (not Iowa) is flying to Utah tomorrow. The other is involved in the AHL Pacific Division playoffs and will join us when that is completed."
OTHER COMMENTS
- The next 11 days will decide whether the Allen Americans go into the Kelly Cup playoffs as one of the favorites or one of the long shots. When the Americans leave for Utah tonight they will not play at home again until June 2. Seven straight road games, four in Utah and three in Rapid City. Allen is currently ranked #4 in the ECHL in points percentage. In the last 15 seasons the Kelly Cup was won by teams finishing in the top four in the regular season 11 times. The question is where will Allen rank in points percentage after the seven road games. If the Americans can improve their points percentage and move into the top two in the Western Conference they will be serious contenders for the Kelly Cup.
- Les Lancaster now has 23 goals, almost double the second place defenseman. Willie Raskob (Indy) is the second place defenseman with 12 goals. You have to go back to the 2006-07 season to find a defenseman that scored more than 23 goals. Jon Awe had 24 playing for the Gwinnett Gladiators. Les will be in the top ten in goals by pure defensemen in the history of the ECHL if he gets to 25 goals. An amazing stat when you consider those in the top 10 played in the higher scoring era of the 1980's and 1990's.
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| Les Lancaster's hat trick goal - photo by David Dudich |
- I will have a complete series preview tomorrow but Allen has its work cut out against Utah. The Grizzlies have won seven straight games. Utah is getting players back from its AHL affiliate (Colorado) almost daily.
DID YOU KNOW: Hat Trick Numbers in 2020-21 Season:
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