If you didn't attend the Allen game last night and checked the final score this morning you saw the Americans lost in overtime to the Utah Grizzlies 4-3 before a sparse Saturday night crowd of 2363 at the Credit Union of Texas Arena. The final score doesn't tell the story. The Americans took an early lead scoring on the first shot of the game just 48 seconds after puck drop. Utah would come back scoring the equalizer midway through the first period and establish a pattern that would continue all three periods. I can't remember a game where the Americans scored a goal in the first minute of all three periods but that is what happened last night. Allen scored at the 48 second mark of the first period, 30 seconds into the second period and 44 seconds into the third period only to see Utah get the equalizer in each period. The Americans saw leads of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 evaporate as the Grizzlies kept coming back. Utah's second goal to tie the score 2-2 was particularly disheartening as it was scored shorthanded with 47 seconds left in the period.
- The Americans couldn't continue the magic of the first three periods by scoring in the first minute of overtime. They were out shot 8-2 and successfully killed an overtime penalty but gave up the game winning goal at the 5:37 mark.
- It was a game where Allen took too many penalties (7) which led to a lopsided shot advantage for Utah (49-25). The penalty kill unit played well killing six of the seven Grizzlies power play opportunities including a long 5-on-3 but in the end the power play goal tied the score 3-3 and led to overtime.
- Allen was 1-3 on the power play but also surrendered a shorthanded goal. The Utah penalty kill is dangerous having scored three shorthanded goals in its first five games.
- Goal scorers for the Americans were Ryan Lohin (3), Jackson Leppard (1) and Jack Combs (2). Lohin's three goals leads the team while Combs leads the Americans in points (4).
- Here is the game recap issued by the Utah Grizzlies: https://www.utahgrizzlies.com/en/grizzlies-news/d-astous-delivers-game-winner-in-4-3-utah-victory
- I had a chance to talk to coach Martinson about the game and the big takeaway was the team did best when they got pucks in deep and worked low to high. Utah has a strong defense with mostly contract players and they were not giving Allen much through neutral ice and at the blue line. A key to the game today is get pucks in deep and avoid all of the turnovers in neutral ice trying to make a play that isn't there.
- Allen and Utah will be back at it early this afternoon with a 2:05 puck drop. Hopefully the Americans can repeat opening weekend with a win on Sunday after a disappointing loss on Saturday. For Utah it will be its third game in 44 hours with a bus trip from Wichita thrown in for good measure. Allen should have the fresher legs this afternoon.
- For the Americans to be successful they are going to rely on the top line to score. Based on their ECHL history of a combined average points per game (3.56) the line of Costello-Asuchak-Combs would be at just over 10 points and they are right on track with a total of nine points. The defensive end of the ice will tell the tale on the success of the top line. Plus/minus isn't the best stat but in the loss last night the team total for plus/minus was -3 but the top line was -7.
- Allen's special teams are much improved after the opening night disaster. In the last two games the Americans are 42.9% (3-7) on the power play and 90% (1-10) on the penalty kill. Utah scored its first power play of the season last night and is now 1-16 (6.3%). On the penalty kill the Grizzlies are at 75% (6-24).
- Frank Marotte took the loss last night despite having the second most saves (45) in the ECHL thus far. His save percentage was a respectable .918. Look for Marotte to be in goal again this afternoon.
- Jackson Leef, who sat out last night, will be in the lineup this afternoon.
- The referee scheduled today is the same as last night, Logan Gruhl (#29), who called 10 minor penalties in the game with seven against Allen. The linesmen this afternoon will be Aaron Schacht (#51) and Daniel Barnes (#76).
OTHER COMMENTS
- It was great to see some players from the past at the game last night. It was called "legends night" but several of them are younger the Costello and Combs. It was quite a group that combined have 12 championships, mostly with the Americans, in the CHL and ECHL. I had a chance to get an update:
Riley Gill - Riley stays very busy with is own construction company (Riley Gill's Construction) but spends plenty of time with hockey. He is the head coach of one of Allen High School's two junior varsity teams and is the goalie coach for the varsity team and both JV teams. He is also helping out Aaron Gens with the McKinney North Stars one night a week as the goalie coach for the 14U and 16U teams. He also does some private goalie lessons. Gill's oldest son (Jackson) is into all sports including hockey and his youngest has also started playing hockey.
Aaron Gens - Aaron is a full time into hockey as the Hockey Programs Manager for the Dallas Stars Children's Health StarCenter - McKinney where he is responsible for all hockey programs at the rink. In addition, he also coaches the McKinney North Stars as the head coach for the Tier 2 16U and assistant coach for the 18U. Throw in private lessons and Aaron spends at least 25 hours a week on the ice.
Erik Adams - Erik is the head coach of the Allen High School varsity hockey team. His full time job is in Health Care Staffing, helping facilities find temporary doctors. His son, Henrik, is playing in the program Aaron Gens runs in McKinney. Erik's also coaches his son's 8U team.
Darryl Bootland - The guy known as Booter lives in Houston and is a manger for a steel company (PMP). He is still involved in hockey, coaching an appropriately named Texas Outlaws Hockey Club at the U14 and U12 level.
Mathieu Aubin - Mathieu played briefly in Allen after an illustrious 11 year career in the ECHL which included two Kelly Cups with Cincinnati. Aubin is the fifth leading scorer in the ECHL since 2006-07 with 487 points. Incidentally #4 on the list is Chad Costello (491 points) and #2 is Casey Pierro-Zabotel (543 points). Mathieu just completed the fire academy and EMT certification and is currently applying for firefighter positions in the area. He still plays men's league hockey on Sunday's and his team wins pretty much every season which isn't a surprise with teammates including Jason Deitsch and the Ludwig brothers. Aubin has an eight month old son who was attending his third Allen game last night.
Nolan Descoteaux - Nolan who grew up in the area, recently purchased two existing Fastsigns franchises, both in Plano. He was done with hockey and not interested until he went to the Dallas Stars outdoor game and got the itch to play. He called a friend and now has a lot of fun playing beer league hockey in Mansfield.
DID YOU KNOW: Some interesting info on the capacity of ECHL arenas:
Great stuff. Love to hear what former players are doing.
ReplyDeleteThis Team better find some balls, heart and chemistry.... Maybe some fans in the stands would help too. Pathetic attendance this weekend. I'm sitting up here in Chicago wishing I could be at these games - not like there would be a problem findings a seat if I could travel the 14 hours.
ReplyDeleteThis is shaping up to be the 2018-19 season all over again. Allen is just not very good. No defense and no speed. Lots of great names from the past but this is not an old timers league, it's the Coast. No energy from the bench either as Marty just stands there looking lost. Where did his fire go?
ReplyDeleteThis team will be as good as they always are, Marty is that good of a coach. He just needs to smooth out the rough edges of the roster.
ReplyDeleteLast night’s crowd was the worst Saturday crowd I've seen in the 4 years that I’ve had my season tickets and today's was even worse. It appears the organization is slanting more towards the corporate base and less concerned about the hardcore Americans hockey fans and selling them tickets. And it starts with that carpetbagger of a team President we have, Mike Waddell. Spend any amount of time with the man and you’ll walk away with your head spinning wondering how in the world he has his current job. He simply needs to go back working as a college administrator. The talk in the season ticket holder area is that there are several on the Americans staff who are extremely frustrated with the leadership of wobbly Waddell and his dictator style of leadership.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the world series is taking away some attendance?
ReplyDeleteYea - baseball is such a smash on TV in the ratings... And the Astro loving DFW fans are such die-hards. If the Rangers were there (LOL!) you might have a point. The weekend crowd was pathetic! Watch how fast the drummers bail...
DeleteAt least my Wolves are kicking ass! I still wonder why we didn't affiliate with them???
ReplyDelete