It's crunch time in the ECHL with the fate of many teams decided this weekend. Most teams (8) have nine games remaining in the season with a high of 11 (Orlando) and a low of seven (Tulsa). Kansas City and Tulsa play each other trying to avoid last place. They are tied with a points percentage of .492. Allen and Fort Wayne are in a dead heat in second place with a points percentage of .643 and both have first place on the mind. Fort Wayne plays first place Wichita three times at home so they are in direct control. Allen is in Utah for three games against the Grizzlies and could end the weekend battling for fourth place if the get swept or battling for first place if they sweep Utah. The Americans winning percentage could be as low as .613 or as high as .659 after the weekend.
- In a cross conference matchup Indy is in Rapid City for three games. The Rush are trying to make the playoffs in the Western Conference and Indy is trying to hold onto third place in the Eastern Conference. First place Florida is comfortably in first place in the East but has lost seven of the last 10 games. The Everblades play sixth place Jacksonville who has won five of the last 10 games and are just outside the fourth playoff spot by .009 points percentage. Finally, Orlando (4th place - .557) plays three games in South Carolina (5th place - .549).
- Many battles will come down to the final week of the season but this weekend will seal the fate of some teams, if not mathematically, realistically. Teams will know if they should plan for home ice advantage, plan for playing three of five playoff games on the road or plan on golf outings.
- The Allen Americans have a great opportunity to put distance between themselves and the fourth place Grizzlies. If the Americans can get a minimum of four points this weekend they will have a legitimate shot at first place with six games remaining in the season.
- You can look back at the last two blog posts to get all the statistical details on this series with Utah. Allen had a great comeback in game one on Wednesday, scoring five unanswered goals after trailing 3-0 in the second period. The key tonight and for all of the games this weekend for the Americans is to get off to a better start. As a reminder, when the Americans score first their record is 28-8-1-0. When their opponent scores first Allen has a losing record of 11-13-1-1.
- Allen has given up the first goal the last five times it played Utah and lost three of the five games. On Wednesday Allen outplayed Utah in the last two periods outshooting the Grizzlies 22-7 and outscoring them 5-1. However, in the first period Utah outshot Allen 11-6 and outscored the Americans 2-0. If Allen expects to do well this weekend good starts are on the top of the list.
- The Americans can clinch a playoff berth tonight if they win and Rapid City loses to Indy at home or if Allen loses in overtime/shootout and Rapid City loses in regulation.
COACH'S CORNER
"I won't decide which goalie is starting until after our morning skate."
"Zane Franklin and newly signed defenseman Terrance Amorosa will play tonight."
"We have so many players that were top scorers and leaders on their junior and college teams. I think everyone has bought into the idea that our key to success is avoid beating ourselves."
"If we can avoid making mistakes trying to make the hard plays that turn into turnovers we have a good enough team to win every game."
"It is important we get off to a better start tonight but I don't see myself as needing to motivate the team. With the leaders we have in the locker room, they have to be self-motivated."
OTHER COMMENTS
- Terrance Amorosa will get his first action for Allen tonight. The 6'2" 205 pound left shot defenseman from Kirkland, Quebec was on a PTO with the Laval Rocket (AHL) before joining the Americans. Amorosa played five games in Laval and had one goal. He previously played 60 ECHL games (Kansas City and Tulsa) and had 24 points (7G, 17A). Prior to turning pro in 2018-19 Terrance played his college hockey at Clarkson University and majored in Finance. He was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Academic team as a junior and senior. How's this for an athletic family. Terrance's dad played college football, his mom played college basketball, one sister plays college basketball and one sister plays college waterpolo. Here is an interview that is just a week old that will give you some background on Amorosa: https://www.thesuburban.com/judgement-calls-episode-45-kirklands-terrance-amorosa-arrives-with-the-rocket/video_6ce57fe2-b4cc-11eb-bad7-838326f65786.html
- I have had several questions about the rule that requires players coming from the AHL to play five games in the ECHL to qualify for the playoffs. The rule is different depending on what type of AHL contract the player is on:
SPC (Standard Player Contract) - These players had to have played five ECHL games prior to the end of the AHL season (May 16) to be eligible for the playoffs. Players like Turner Ottenbreit and Tyler Sheehy are on AHL SPC's.
PTO (Professional Tryout Contract) - These players still have to play five ECHL games to qualify for the playoffs but have until the end of the ECHL season to get in the five games. Terrance Amarosa, who was just signed by Allen was on an AHL PTO contract.
ATO (Amateur Tryout Contract) - These players are not required to play any ECHL games to qualify for the playoffs. Stay tuned as Allen may get one of these players before the regular season ends.
- Th new Iowa ECHL franchise announced its name and logos yesterday. They will be known as the Iowa Heartlanders and the main logo is a whitetail deer (buck). If you don't look close you would think they took the Laredo Bucks logo out of mothballs. Here is a story that gives great detail and rationale on how the team decided on a team name and logos. A good read: https://news.sportslogos.net/2021/05/20/bucking-the-trend-iowa-heartlanders-introduce-name-logos-for-inaugural-season/hockey-2/
- Matt Harding from The Sin Bin published this article yesterday which has a lot of great information about the 2020-21 ECHL playoffs but also has plenty of interesting historical information. Check it out: https://thesinbin.net/race-for-the-kelly-cup-playoffs-may-20-2021/
DID YOU KNOW: 580 players have played at least one game in the ECHL this season. Just 10 have 10% or more of their team’s points.
In regards to the piece about the Iowa Heartlanders. Momma said if you ain't got nuthin good to say, don't say nuthin.
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