It was supposed to be a reset with the best lineup of the season, but last night turned out to be the Allen Americans third straight loss. The Americans lost 3-2, in game one of the three game series in Cincinnati, before a Thursday night crowd of 4134 at Heritage Bank Arena.
- Allen fell behind 3-0 and couldn't recover, though the Americans did close the gap to 3-2 in the third period.
- It is well documented Allen hasn't played well coming from behind this season. Here are some examples based on the loss last night:
- Cincinnati scored first: Allen's record when giving up the first goal is 9-13-3-0.
- Allen trailed after the 1st period: Allen's record when trailing after the 1st period is 2-11-2-0.
- Allen trailed after the 2nd period: Allen's record when trailing after the 2nd period is 3-17-2-0.
- Allen was outshot in all three periods: Allen's record when being outshot is 11-19-4-1.
- It was a tough night for Allen's starting lineup (Costello, Asuchak, Leppard, Roy, Kneen). Since the home team gets last change, Cincinnati controlled the matchups. The same five players were on the ice for both teams on Cincinnati's first two goals. According to the boxscore, which is sometimes incorrect, Allen's starting five ended the game with a combined plus/minus of -13. The rest of the team had a combined plus/minus of +3.
- After the Cyclones took a 3-0 lead early in the third period the Americans attempted a comeback. JD Dudek scored his fourth goal of the season just over a minute after Cincinnati scored its third goal. Allen trailed 3-1 at the second intermission. Midway through the third period Chad Costello scored his 22nd goal of the season on the power play to cut the score to 3-2. The Americans pulled goalie Antoine Bibeau but never managed to get a shot on goal. Here are the video highlights: https://youtu.be/hScimGldjF0
- Here is the game recap from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/allen-rally-falls-short/
- Here is the game recap from the Cincinnati Cyclones: https://cycloneshockey.com/news/2022/02/schultz-scores-1-000th-point-in-cyclones-win-over-allen
- One positive note from the loss last night was special teams. Allen was 1-2 on the power play and held Cincinnati scoreless on four power play opportunities.
COACH'S CORNER WITH STEVE MARTINSON
"It was so frustrating getting down three goals like we did last night. Turnovers in our defensive zone cost us two of the goals."
"We not only had turnovers but we were too soft defensively in pressuring the puck."
"We have to do better in getting the puck out of our zone. If there isn't a play we have to throw the puck off the glass just to get it out of the zone. As I always say, even Tom Brady decides a punt is the best option, rather than forcing a play."
"Nolan Kneen is headed back to Charlotte today. The plan was for him to be here longer, but a roster change for the Checkers created the need for him to return."
"For us to be successful our top line needs to outplay whatever line they are matched up against."
"I put Ben Carroll on IR yesterday. I am still waiting for medical information before we will know how long he will be out. I am expecting Chad Butcher will be back for the Idaho series next week."
OTHER COMMENTS
- Chad Costello has been on quite a scoring streak recently. In the last nine games, Chad has 14 points (4G, 10A). Here is how Costello stands in the ECHL scoring race:
- 1st in total points (58)
- 2nd in goals (22)
- 2nd in assists (36)
- 4th in PP points (17)
- With the loss last night, Allen is back to a .500 points percentage. The Americans are now tied with Wichita for sixth place in the Mountain Division but dangerously close to last place Kansas City (.490).
- While Allen is idle tonight the ECHL has 11 games on tap. Mountain Division teams in action include Wichita at Toledo, Utah at Kansas City, Rapid City at Tulsa and Worcester at Idaho. Here is the ECHL Today with a preview of all 11 games. https://www.echl.com/en/news/2022/2/echl-today-feb-25
DID YOU KNOW: Here is the ECHL Stats post from today about Cincinnati's forward, Jesse Schultz, reaching 1000 points as a pro. I took a look this morning at how many professional points Chad Costello has racked up in his career. Chad is four years younger than Schultz. Turns out Chad is closer to 1000 points than I thought. After his goal last night, Chad now has 905 points in his professional career. Costello will hit the 1000 point milestone next season if he continues to play.
Congrats
and stick taps to Jesse Schultz of the Cincinnati Cyclones, on reaching
a big milestone last night. He reached 1000 points as a professional
with a goal and an assist in the Cyclones 3-2 win over the Allen
Americans. Schultz is one of the oldest players in the ECHL (will be 40
in September) and is still going strong. In 49 games this season, he has
45 points (15G, 30A).
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