The Allen Americans will play Utah a total of 18 times this season, more than any other team. The Americans are in Utah to play the last four games of the 18 game series with games tonight, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
- Utah enters the series on a seven game win streak and haven't lost a
game at home for over a month (April 16). Allen is coming off a big 7-2 win at home
on Monday but have lost three of the last five games.The series is
important for both teams who are ranked #3 (Allen - .637) and #4 (Utah -
.573) in the Western Conference standings. If Allen has hopes of
catching Fort Wayne and Wichita they will need at least six points in
the four game Utah series.
- Allen and Utah have already played 14 times this season and the Americans record in those 14 games is 9-4-0-1. Five of the 14 games have gone extra time. The odd stat of the day is Allen has been involved in five shootouts this season and four of them have been against Utah. The Americans won three of the four shootouts and the lone overtime game so advantage Allen if games go extra time this week.
- With 14 head to head games between these teams here are the totals.
Allen has scored 45 goals averaging 3.21 per game. Utah has scored 36 goals for an average of 2.57 per games. Shot totals favor Utah 406-389.
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Head to head on special teams Allen's power play is 12-61 (19.7%) and
Utah's is 8-56 (14.3%). If you look at overall special teams percentages Allen is ranked #1 in road power play (26.0%) and #10 in road penalty kill (79.4%). Utah at home is ranked #5 on the power play (19.7%) and #8 on the penalty kill (81.7%).
- How important is it for Allen to score the first goal against Utah? In the 14 head to head games Allen's record when scoring first is 6-0-0-0. When Utah scores first the Americans record is 3-4-0-1.
- Two of Corey Mackin's five shorthanded goals have come against Utah.
- Utah and its AHL affiliate (Colorado) have sent a lot of players back and forth this season. Colorado plays San Jose tonight in the AHL Pacific Division playoffs and the winner will advance to play the #1 seed (Henderson Silver Knights) in a best of three series. If Colorado loses tonight they could send more players to Utah.
- Allen could also see players added in Utah. A reminder what coach Martinson said yesterday, "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."
COACH'S CORNER
"The two goalies on the trip are Jake Paterson and Justin Kapelmaster. Paterson will get the start tonight."
"The key for us is the same as I have been talking about the last few games. It we play smart defensively, make good decisions and be aggressive without gambling on low percentage plays we will be in good shape."
"Our power play has been very good on the road and has been clicking recently."
"We won't practice tomorrow with three games this weekend. I will also give the players three days off next week between the Utah and Rapid City series. We didn't have an All-Star break this season and the players can use some time off."
OTHER COMMENTS
- Noticed while looking at the ECHL Daily Report how many categories are led by Allen Americans. Here are those categories where Allen players rank #1 in the league either outright or tied:
#1 Overall Power Play Goals - Spencer Asuchak (10)
#1 Overall Power Play Assists - Matt Register (25)
#1 Overall Power Play Points - Matt Register (26)
#1 Overall Shooting Percentage - Spencer Asuchak (22.5%)
#1 Overall Shorthanded Goals - Corey Mackin (5)
#1 Overall Goalie Shootout % - Jake Paterson (10 for 10 - 100%)
#1 Rookie Penalty Minutes - Zane Franklin (113)
#1 Rookie Minor Penalties - Zane Franklin (34)
#1 Rookie Shooting % - Jake McGrew (17.1%)
#1 Rookie Shootout Winning Goals - Zane Franklin (1)
#1 Defensemen Points - Les Lancaster (55)
#1 Defensemen Goals - Les Lancaster (23)
#1 Defensemen Assists - Matt Register (46)
#1 Defensemen Power Play Goals - Les Lancaster (9)
#1 Defensemen Power Play Assists - Matt Register (25)
#1 Defensemen Power Play Points - Matt Register (26)
#1 Defensemen Shots - Les Lancaster (167)
#1 Defensemen Game Winning Goals - Les Lancaster (4)
- There are three games in the ECHL tonight. In addition to Allen at Utah, Indy is at Rapid City and Greenville is at Jacksonville. Here is the ECHL Today with the previews: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2021/5/echl-today-may-19
DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL Stats post today is the fewest penalty minutes, both teams, in a single playoff game. It struck a chord with me when I saw Allen on the list. I am sure many of you remember that four minute penalty game in 2017 which was at the AEC. Allen and Colorado were the top two teams in PIMS in the regular season with over 1400 penalty minutes each. Colorado was called for no penalties. Allen led 3-2 after the second period but Colorado scored twice in the third period to win the game 4-3 and win the series 4-2. Matt Register scored the game/series winning goal for Colorado with just 69 seconds left in the game. Colorado went on to win the Kelly Cup.
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