It took a third period comeback from a 3-1 deficit and two overtime periods but the resilient Allen Americans dispatched Utah last night. The Americans beat the Grizzlies 4-3 to sweep the series (3-0) and become the first playoff team to advance to the second round. Allen awaits the winner of the Wichita vs Fort Wayne series in which the Komets lead 2-1 with game four tonight. The Americans have announced the the Western Conference Finals will open in Allen next Friday and Saturday (June 18 & 19).
- Allen got the fast start it was hoping for last night when Sam Laberge scored just 63 seconds after the opening puck drop. The lead was short lived, however, as Utah struck back with three unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission. With a two goal lead after the first period the odds were in Utah's favor. The Grizzlies were 8-1-0-0 during the regular season when leading after the first period. Allen was 3-8-0-0 when trailing after the first period.
- There was no scoring in the second period but the Americans outshot Utah 10-5 and had the better chances. The stats were even more bleak however because Utah had the 3-1 lead at the second intermission. The Grizzlies had a record of 13-1-1-1 during the regular season when leading after the second period at home. Allen was 2-12-0-0 when trailing after the second period on the road.
- Allen defied the odds which is no surprise as the Americans have persevered time and time again. The Americans know if they keep grinding good things will happen. You can tell they have that attitude they are never out of a game. You don't win nine straight games without gaining a lot of confidence.
- It was fitting the way the game played out in the third period and overtime. Josh Lammon, who is the best defensive forward on the team and led the Americans in plus/minus (+20) during the regular season, sparked the comeback. Josh has plenty of offense to go with his defensive skill and scored his 13th goal of the season at the 9:03 mark of the third period. Next up was Brett Neumann, who had the game winning goal in the first two games of the series, as he tied the score with less than five minutes remaining in the game. Over the last month Neumann has scored an average of .53 goals per game with eight goals in 15 games including three goals in three games in the playoffs.
- Allen was clearly the better team in the final period and overtime. The Americans outshot Utah 11-5 in the third period and 12-5 in the first overtime period. The most fitting goal of all came at the 7:27 mark of the second overtime when Les Lancaster, who earlier in the day was announced as the ECHL MVP runner-up, took a great pass from Corey Mackin, beat two defenders and buried the puck from the slot.
- Allen now moves on to the "final four" as the only team to sweep the first round series. Time for some rest and some practice time to continue the building blocks as the Americans prepare for the Western Conference Finals.
- As you might imagine with a first round sweep, Allen is all over the top of the ECHL playoff stats sheet. Corey Mackin is the points leader and assist leader with four assists and Brett Neumann leads in goals (3).
- There is a three way tie for top scoring defensemen in the playoffs with three points. Matt Register and Les Lancaster are two of the three.
- Jake Paterson is 2-0 with a .929 save percentage. C.J. Motte is 1-0 with a .931 save percentage.
- The goals scorers for Allen were Sam Laberge (1), Josh Lammon (1), Brett Neumann (3) and Les Lancaster (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-sweep-utah-with-double-overtime-win/
- Here is the game recap from the Utah Grizzlies: https://www.utahgrizzlies.com/en/grizzlies-news/grizzlies-season-ends-after-2-ot-loss
COACH'S CORNER
"It was a great comeback win for the team last night. Anytime you play that long and put out that much effort you want to come out on top."
"I think our depth kicked in late in the game and through the overtime periods. I thought we had more energy in overtime and the shots reflected that."
"Sweeping the series provides several benefits. The players can get some rest, injured players have time to heal and we will have some time to practice after not practicing much in the last month."
"We will get home this afternoon and give the players the day off tomorrow. We will then practice Monday thru Thursday with lighter practices later in the week.
"We have had to rely on video rather than practice time to work on improvements. Being able to have practice will allow us to work on the power play and other system issues."
OTHER COMMENTS
- With Allen moving on to the second round the other three series will be in action tonight. South Carolina is at Florida with the series tied 1-1. Indy is at Greenville with the Swamp Rabbits leading the series 2-1. Wichita is at Fort Wayne with the Komets leading the series 2-1. Here is the ECHL Today with previews: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2021/6/echl-today-june-12
DID YOU KNOW: I know I am beating a dead horse but can't help but commenting after the Allen sweep against Utah last night. This is Steve Martinson's seventh trip to the playoffs in nine seasons since becoming the coach in Allen. One season Allen didn't make the playoffs. Last season Allen had the best record in the Western Conference and was first overall much of the season but no playoffs were held when the season was canceled. In his previous six trips to the playoffs, Martinson won the championship four times. With the series win last night Martinson has now coached in 18 playoff series as the Allen coach and has a record of 16-2. Can you imagine a general manager/coach with such a record hasn't been given a contract extension and will be out of a job in 18 days. Even worse can you imagine with all the things a general manager/coach has to do during the playoffs, Martinson has to spend his spare time organizing and packing up his belongings so he is ready to move right after the playoffs. Because he has not been given a contract extension Martinson was forced to give up his apartment. The break that goes with the sweep over Utah will not only give the players a rest but will allow Martinson to get all of his packing out of the way. As he said to me recently, "It is amazing how much stuff you build up over nine years." Talk about a distraction! C'MON MAN!
Will not buy tickets if Martinson is not signed. I don’t matter to them but maybe enough people doing that, will! Do not like the operations manager and his attitude so plant your ego somewhere else besides Allen, please.
ReplyDeleteWe will not renew our season tickets until they sign Martinson. We are not going to commit the time and money to something we don't know will be worth it. With Martinson at the helm, we know it will be worth it, win or lose.
ReplyDeleteI’ll say it again, GULATI is a terrible owner and clueless about running and organization. I’m beginning to think Mike Waddell is no better as the team “President” he should’ve pushed this through too. TRASH call
ReplyDeleteWaddell and his attitude to go also and quickly
ReplyDeleteIn minor league sports revenue = butts in seats and merchandizing. Revenue also drives franchise valuation -especially with a league salary cap.
ReplyDeleteNot signing Martinson is dumb not just from a hockey perspective but also from a business perspective. Selling a team with a track record of success is much easier than a losing one.
I would argue that Martinson and the success he brings is the Americans most valuable asset.
What Allen really needs is stable, local ownership.
ReplyDeleteWow, just WOW!! Building a spectacular play off team all the while being kicked out of his apartment. unconscionable. SMH
ReplyDeleteWhat do we expect with an absentee landlord as an owner and a team president who only cares how he looks on social media or LinkedIn. There is a reason why the guy has bounced around for the last 6 years. He talks and takes no accountable or responsibility, always blaming the staff, ownership or the City of Allen for any/all problems.
ReplyDeleteCharles....you are spot on.
ReplyDeleteSign him so the man can start to build a team for next year after they win the Kelly Cup. Jack you should be ashamed of yourself. You told me you wanted to win the Kelly Cup. You already have one of or if not the winningest coach in the league.
ReplyDelete