The Allen offense finally stumbled last night as the Tulsa Oilers beat the Americans 4-2 before a crowd of 8438 at the BOK Center. Bear with me as I recap all of the ways this game was unique:
- Allen scored just two goals for only the second time in the last month (both losses)
- Goalie Antoine Bibeau lost his first decision, he is now 6-1, 2.67 GAA, .926 save %
- Allen had just one minor penalty, an offsetting roughing after the first period ended
- Allen gave up zero power play opportunities for the first time all season
- Allen scored first goal 24 seconds after puck drop, then gave up four of the next five goals
- Because of COVID, injuries and loans Allen played with just 14 skaters and an EBUG
- After outscoring opponents 11-0 in 3rd period last four games, lost 3rd period 2-1 in Tulsa
- The loss ended Allen's five game overall and four game road winning streaks
- While the loss last night was disappointing and unexpected especially with the good start and coming from behind to tie the score 2-2 early in the third period. Allen has been money in that situation during its winning streak. The game wasn't decided until Tulsa scored an empty net goal with 23 seconds remaining. Best to put this game in the rear view mirror and get ready to take on Tulsa again on Wednesday at home. Remember, the Americans schedule next week is Tulsa at home on Wednesday and then at Tulsa on Friday, at Kansas City on Saturday and at Tulsa on Sunday.
- Goal scorers for Allen last night were D-Jay Jerome (4) and Spencer Asuchak (10). Here are the video highlights: youtu.be/G9dYD29AmoU
- Here is the game recap from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/game-recap-americans-fall-in-tulsa/
OTHER COMMENTS
- With the loss to Tulsa the Americans points percentage fell from .580 to .558. Still good enough for third place in the Mountain Division but by a very small margin. Wichita, Tulsa and Idaho all won last night and those wins tightened up the standings. Here is the latest:
.636 - Utah
.597 - Idaho
.558 - Allen
.554 - Tulsa
.516 - Rapid City
.483 - Kansas City
.419 - Wichita
The only Mountain Division teams in action today are Kansas City at Tulsa and Rapid City at home against Iowa.
- Newfoundland's next scheduled game isn't until January 21st when the Growlers take a swing through the Mountain Division visiting Kansas City, Tulsa, Wichita and Allen. Because of COVID regulations in Canada, Newfoundland has played just one game since December 12 and won't play again until January 21. The Growlers have only played 22 games this season, the fewest in the league. Utah has played the most games (33). It is highly unlikely Newfoundland will play 72 games this season, they have just 66 scheduled at this point. It is safe to say numerous ECHL teams are at risk of not being able to play 72 games this season. Points percentage will dictate the standings.
- It was a mixed bag for Allen players in the AHL this weekend. Hayden Lavigne got his first taste of the AHL when Manitoba was looking for a goalie to be a backup for two games against the Texas Stars. Lavigne drove to Austin and was the backup on Friday and Saturday as the Moose beat the Stars in both games (4-1, 5-4). Hayden is now back to Allen. Nolan Kneen was not in the lineup for Charlotte last night. Per coach Martinson, Kneen is in COVID protocol after the player he was rooming with tested positive for COVID. The one Allen player that did play last night was goalie Frank Marotte in San Diego. Marotte had his first start of the season for the Gulls and it was a 5-4 overtime loss to Ontario.
- Last season the top two teams were Florida (.667) and Allen (.653). It looks like to win the Brabham Cup (best regular season points percentage) this season will take a higher points percentage. Newfoundland is #1 (.727) and Toledo is #2 (.714).
- I read on social media a tongue-in-cheek post that there is such a shortage of goalies this season with so many going to Europe, COVID outbreaks at all levels of pro hockey and the recent establishment of the NHL taxis squads, that even beer leagues can't find goalies because they are signing pro PTO's. It got me wondering about Allen's team goalie stats this season compared to prior years. I decided to go into the archives and look at team save percentages for each season since Allen joined the ECHL. I was surprised to find thus far this season the team's save percentage is the lowest ever, even lower than 2018-19 when the Americans missed the playoffs and had a .389 points percentage. The team save percentage has certainly improved after a slow start to the season and since Antoine Bibeau has played in five of Allen's last six games. Only two ECHL teams have a lower team save percentage than Allen (Indy - .883 & Wheeling - .882)
TEAM SAVE PERCENTAGES
- .887 - 2021-22
- .914 - 2020-21
- .909 - 2019-20
- .897 - 2018-19
- .912 - 2017-18
- .920 - 2016-17
- .909 - 2015-16
- .906 - 2014-15
Thanks. Going to try and see Newfoundland.
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