The Allen Americans lost to the Kansas City Mavericks 7-5 last night before a crowd of 3372 at the Cable Dahmer Arena, which is a twin to the CUTX Event Center in Allen. The final score certainly doesn't tell the story of what happened in the 24 hours from the end of the Americans 3-1 win in Wichita on Friday night until the final buzzer against the Mavericks last night.
- A hint of what the next 24 hours would bring started on the bus ride from Wichita to Kansas City. While the Mavericks didn't play on Friday and had seven days between games, the Americans arrived in Kansas City at 2:00 am. To make matters worse they had to drop off goalie Antoine Bibeau so he could head back to Charlotte (AHL) as he was recalled after his first start win for in Wichita. It was a long day for Bibeau who arrived in Charlotte in time to be the backup goalie for the Checkers who defeated Lehigh Valley last night by a score of 7-3. The teams play again today and with an early start time (noon Allen time) the odds are Bibeau will be in goal for the Checkers.
- When the Americans got off the bus in Kansas City it was almost certain that Jack Combs would not be able to play against the Mavericks. Jack was slashed in Wichita on a play that wasn't called a penalty. It wasn't even daybreak and the Americans already knew they would be playing with an EBUG and just nine forwards against the Mavericks. When Kelly Bent got a game misconduct penalty (Aggressor) six minutes into the game the Americans were down to eight forwards. Even with a couple of calls that went Allen's way, one Mavericks goal was disallowed because it was kicked in the net and another was disallowed because of goalie interference, it became a long night for the Americans. Allen gave up the first goal of the game 5:32 after puck drop but responded 17 seconds later to tie the score. It was down hill from that point as the Americans were out shot 14-9 in the first period, 19-10 in the second period and 41-28 for the game. Allen trailed 2-1 after the first period, 3-2 after the second period and 6-2 midway through the third period. To the team's credit, they scored three unanswered goals in the second half of the third period to close the score to 6-5 before the Mavericks scored an empty net goal with 10 seconds remaining in the game to make the final 7-5.
- It looked like Allen had turned the corner when it held Wichita to 21 shots on Friday but it was back to a 40 shot night against Kansas City. The Americans are once again last in the ECHL in average shots allowed (38.17). They are ranked #25 in average goals allowed (4.50).
- Kansas City's first two goals were scored shorthanded. Allen has now allowed four shorthanded goals in six games. The Americans have given up the most shorthanded goals in the league. It is quite a turnaround from last season when Allen led the ECHL in the fewest shorthanded goals allowed. They have allowed four shorthanded goals in six games this season compared to allowing three shorthanded goals in 72 games last season.
- Goals scorers for Allen were Ryan Lohin (5,6), D-Jay Jerome (1,2) and Chad Costello (3). Lohin's six goals is tied for second in the ECHL behind Toledo's John Albert we has seven goals.
- The game was very physical with a total of 20 infractions and 71 penalty minutes. Quite a contrast from Friday night when the same referee called four penalties for eight minutes.
- Here is the game recap issued by the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/game-recap-americans-rally-falls-short/
- Here is Dan Stilley's take on the game. Dan covers the Mavericks for Field Pass Hockey: https://fieldpasshockey.com/mavericks-prevail-in-tense-contest-against-allen/
- Video highlights are on the Americans YouTube Channel. Here is a link if you can't open the highlights below: https://www.google.com/search?channel=nus5&client=firefox-b-1-d&q=allen+americans+youtube+channel
Here is the link if you search on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WL2diardDGM
- Allen will spend this week getting ready for its first three games in three days of the season. The Americans will play at Wichita on Friday, at home against Kansas City on Saturday and at home against Wichita on Sunday. Allen's record is now 2-2-2-0 with a .500 points percentage, good enough for fourth place in the Mountain Division. The Americans will be looking to move up in the standings with a good performance next weekend.
OTHER COMMENTS
- Newfoundland lost its first game of the season last night to Adirondack (6-4). The Growlers and Toledo are tied for the best points percentage in the ECHL at a lofty .833. They are also the two teams with the best goal differential in the league (see below).
- After 70 games the ECHL average attendance is just under 4000 but varies greatly. Five teams are averaging over 7000 per game while eight teams are averaging under 3000 per game. The Americans are ranked #22 with an average attendance for their first four home games of 2859.
- Tulsa is off to the best start in the Mountain Division with a record of 4-1-0-0 and a points percentage of .800. Wichita is in last place with a record of 1-4-0-0 and points percentage of .200.
Glad for the comeback. Not glad for the poor positioning during the game. Slow defensemen don't help anyone but the opponent. They need film study to get the issues resolved.
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