If you read the blog regularly and have been following coach Martinson's comments in Coach's Corner they have been primarily related to team defense. Turnovers, bad decisions, cheating for offense, out of position and scoring is more important than winning are some of his recent comments.
- I think the following stats describe what has happened recently to team defense and reflects on forwards, defensemen and goalies. Allen's record in the last five games is 2-3 but the Americans have scored 20 goals in those five games averaging 4.0 goals per game. However, they have allowed 21 goals, an average of 4.2 goals per game. Contrast that with the previous six games (prior to the last five) when Allen had a record of 5-1 but scored only 16 goals in the six games for an average of 2.67 goals per game. Over those six games the Americans played the best defense of the season allowing just 10 goals for an average of 1.67 goals per game. What Martinson is looking for is a return to the team defense the Americans were playing two weeks ago.
- The game tonight (7:05) is important for a few reasons. After losing twice in Kansas City it is a chance for Allen to get back on the winning track by beating a team they quite frankly should beat. If they play to their potential there is no way the Americans should lose at home against the Mavericks. Second, this is the last home game before Allen plays seven straight games on the road. A reminder Allen's home points percentage is .734, the best in the conference compared to the road points percentage of .517 which is fourth best in the conference and just .001 ahead of fifth place. Thirdly, the Americans need a win tonight before they head to Utah tomorrow where they will play the Grizzlies four times this week.
- In the two losses to Kansas City last week the Americans were outscored 9-7 but more telling they were out shot 64-38. Allen was 2-9 (22.2%) on the power play while Kansas City was 3-13 (23.0%). The Americans took critical penalties in both games when they were trying to come back in the third periods. Staying out of the penalty box and avoiding stick penalties will be key tonight.
- I won't give all of the scoring first stats other than Allen's record against Kansas City this season is now 6-4-0-0 after the two losses this past week. In all four Kansas City wins the Mavericks scored first.
- If Allen wins tonight its point percentage will improve from .631 to .637 just .006 behind second place Fort Wayne (.643) who lost yesterday to Indy at home 1-0. With a win tonight Allen will be .030 behind Wichita (.667). The Thunder were supposed to play Rapid City in Wichita yesterday but the game was cancelled because of poor ice conditions. The game will not be made up.
- The Allen vs Kansas City game is the only one on the schedule in the ECHL tonight. Here are some facts from the ECHL preview:
- Darik Angeli leads Kansas City against the Americans with nine points (4g-5a).
- Allen’s Scott Conway is on a six-game point streak (5g-2a).
- Mavericks are league’s least-penalized team with 11.05 penalty minutes per game.
- Americans have scored a league-leading 61 goals in the first period.
COACH'S CORNER
"We have to improve our decision making and avoid beating ourselves to be successful tonight."
"Jake Paterson will get the start in goal against Kansas City."
"I won't know until after the morning skate if any of the day to day players that didn't travel to Kansas City will be available tonight."
"I have come to an agreement with a player who finished the season in the AHL to join the team in the next few days."
DID YOU KNOW: I have written many times over the years about Chad Costello's records in the three seasons he played for the Allen Americans. It is difficult to compare numbers from the 1990's the last 10 years because of the way the game of hockey has changed. I think the best way to compare is against player's peers. In my mind Costello's 2014-15 season, when compared to his peers, was the greatest in ECHL history. Chad won the scoring championship by 45 points (125-80), the largest margin in ECHL history and he went on to win the Kelly Cup. The ECHL Stats post today talks about winning the scoring championship by large margins in the NHL and ECHL:
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