The Allen Americans defeated the Idaho Steelheads last night by a score of 4-2 before a Saturday night crowd of 3453 at the CUTX Event Center. In many ways the game was similar to the Americans win on Friday.
- Allen again scored first but it took until 20 seconds into the second period. The first goal was extra special last night as it triggered the Teddy Bear Toss.
- Allen allowed just two goals in the game after allowing one on Friday. It was only the second time all season the Americans have allowed a total of three goals in back to back games.
- Allen did not allow Idaho a power play goal. The Steelheads were 0-2 both nights.
- Allen scored a power play goal both nights. The Americans were 1-3 last night after going 1-2 on Friday.
- Allen had a lead after the second period both nights. The Americans record with a second period lead is now 11-0-1-0.
- Goalie Luke Peressini played great both nights stopping 31 of 32 shots (.969 save percentage) on Friday and 32 of 34 shots (.941 save percentage) last night. Peressini was selected the #1 star of the game both nights.
- Allen was outshot 34-24 last night after being outshot 32-23 on Friday. Despite the two wins, Allen's home record when being outshot by the opponent is 8-9-2-0.
- After a scoreless first period with all of the Teddy Bears patiently waiting in the stands, J.C. Campagna got the bears flying 20 seconds into the second period with his seventh goal since joining the Americans just 19 days ago. After nine games, Campagna is already tied for #7 in goals on the team.
- Jack Combs gave Allen a 2-0 lead with a power play goal at the 8:00 mark of the second period. It was Jack's 18th goal and 51st point of the season. Remember, Jack missed a month (10 games) in November. His points per game average (1.21) is tops on the team.
- It looked like Idaho got themselves back in the game with a goal late in the second period (18:18) to cut the score to 2-1, but Allen answered back just 31 seconds later when Josh Winquist scored his first goal with the Americans. It turned out to be the game winning goal. Winquist was not done as he scored an insurance goal in the third period to give Allen 4-1 lead. Idaho scored late in the game to make the final score 4-2.
- Video highlights: https://youtu.be/UJhLO0OGkog
- Game recap from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/americans-sweep-idaho-3/
- Game recap from the Idaho Steelheads: https://www.idahosteelheads.com/en/articles/steelheads-slip-in-series-finale-to-allen-4-2
COACH'S CORNER WITH STEVE MARTINSON
"Overall we played a better game defensively. We had a slow start in the first period but came out of it with the game tied."
"Scoring the first goal 20 seconds into the second period was a big momentum builder. Anytime you can score early in the period like that is a big boost.
"The power play goal to make the score 2-0 was also a big goal."
"The players will be off until Wednesday. We never take the All-Star break days off in January because we get time off at Christmas so we always pick a time later in the season. This is a good time to give the players a few days off."
"We will definitely get some of the injured players back for the games next weekend in Tulsa. I won't know for sure until later in the week who will be cleared to play."
OTHER COMMENTS
- Allen now has a great opportunity coming up next weekend. The two wins over Idaho moved the Americans from last place in the Mountain Division to fifth place. Sitting in the fourth and final playoff spot is Tulsa, who lost to Kalamazoo last night. The Americans will travel to Tulsa for games against the Oilers on Friday and Saturday. Allen needs to earn three of the possible four points against Tulsa to move into a playoff spot. The question is will Allen take more steps forward or will they take steps back once again.
- There was plenty of movement in the Mountain Division standings this week. Most notable is Rapid City has jumped Idaho for second place. Finishing second is key as it comes with home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. It is an unfamiliar place for the Rush who last made the ECHL playoffs in 2015. In the 2014-15 regular season, Allen was #1 with a .708 points percentage and Rapid City was #2 at .563. Allen beat Rapid City (4-2) in the second round of the playoffs on the way to the Americans first Kelly Cup.
- Current Mountain Division standings:
- .609 - Utah
- .571 - Rapid City
- .555 - Idaho
- .519 - Tulsa
- .510 - Allen
- .509 - Kansas City
- .491 - Wichita
- It sounds crazy, but this late in the season any Mountain Division team could still end up in first or last place. The division has the lowest points percentage of any of the #1 teams.
- .710 - Toledo (Central)
- .684 - Reading (North)
- .648 - Atlanta (South)
- .608 - Utah (Mountain)
The difference between #1 Utah and and #7 Wichita is just .118 percentage points which is the smallest difference of any division. Not sure if this means the Mountain Division has parity and all teams are good or it means the Mountain Division is not as strong as it has been in the past.
- It will be a busy Sunday in the ECHL with seven games on the schedule including two key Mountain Division matchups, Wichita is at Kansas City and Utah is at Rapid City. Here is the ECHL Today with the previews: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2022/3/echl-today-march-6
DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL Stats post today is about the advantage of having a first period lead. Allen's record with a first period lead is 8-2-1-1 but the eight wins is tied for the fewest in the ECHL. The Americans have had a first period lead in just 25% of their games. Compare that to a team like Newfoundland who has had a first period lead in 54% of its games.
Your on a roll keep it going. Play to great back to back games. If you can be constant the rest of the season you will make the playoffs & taking that into the final week will help. The fans believe in you guys, show it on the ice. Good luck & stay safe.
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