Allen Falls 4-1, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Steve Martinson's Comments, EBUG Thomas Hodges Makes NHL Debut, Standout Playoff Stats and More

 

The largest crowd of the season (5661) at the CUTX Event Center watched the Allen Americans get off to a good start but then relinquish four unanswered goals to lose to the Rapid City Rush 4-1. With the loss Allen is now on the brink of elimination, down 3-1 in the series, with game five tonight at 7:05 pm.

- Allen had its best start of the series with a lot of energy and puck possession for the first half of the opening period. Ben Carroll put the Americans on the scoreboard at 6:30 of the first period with his second goal of the playoffs, which is tied for the team lead. It also matched his goal production for the entire regular season. 

 

- At the midway point of the first period the Americans had a 1-0 lead and 7-5 shot advantage. The last half of the first period was totally different and the inconsistency that has been part of the teams DNA this season showed up. Rapid City outshot Allen 11-2 and tied the score 1-1 in the last half of the period.

 

- Rapid City took the lead for good early in the second period. To Allen's credit, the Americans had a good second half of the period out shooting the Rush 10-4 but they could not get the equalizer so the second period ended with a 2-1 Rush lead. 

 

- Allen has not been a good come from behind team this season and coming from behind in the playoffs is tough for all teams. Teams with a second period lead have a record of 23-3-1-0 thus far in the playoffs. Rapid City scored two more goals in the third period to send the fans to the exits, knowing the Americans have now reached the win or go home stage of the series.

 

- Allen returned home with the series tied 1-1 after stealing game two in overtime in Rapid City. The Americans had high hopes that home ice would give them the series lead. Here is what has happened in the two home games:

• Allen has managed just two goals in six periods.
• Allen has allowed nine goals in two games.
• Allen was 0-7 on the power play (Americans are 0-12 in the series).
• Rapid City had the lead after six of the seven periods (one period was tied).
• Allen has taken 14 penalties for 36 minutes, Rapid City has taken 8 for 16 minutes.

 

- The conventional wisdom was Allen would be able to score enough to win at home, the question was could they defend well enough to win at home. The Americans have managed to under perform in both phases of the game. In the two home games Allen has scored an average of 1.00 goal per game while allowing an average of 4.50 goals per game. 

 

- If you look at the final score of 4-1 it is easy to conclude the Americans were out worked and out played but if you look at the official game stats they say something quite different. Allen won 55% of the puck battles, out hit Rapid City 22-7, had more blocked shots (11-9), had 55% of the even strength puck possession and had more offensive zone puck possession. The only stat that worked against Allen was faceoffs (they won only 34%). The difference in the game was defensive mistakes that resulted in four plays with odd man rushes and Rapid City scored on all four. Rapid City didn't give up those type of plays to Allen and when the Americans had grade A opportunities they didn't convert.   

 

- Here are the video highlights:  https://youtu.be/f5AlCHVx9yA

 

- Here are the game recaps:

• Allen Americans game recap: https://allenamericans.com/media/americans-drop-game-4-4-1-to-rapid-city/
•  Rapid City Rush game recap: https://www.rapidcityrush.com/en/news/2022/4/rush-drop-americans-in-game-4-4-1
  

 

- All is not lost yet for the Americans even though the odds are against them. The historical percentages in seven games series in the NHL says Rapid City has a 63% chance of winning the game tonight and a 92% chance of winning the series.  

 

- The key to getting a win tonight is building on the positives from last night while improving the faceoff percentage, the power play and most importantly the defensive mistakes that lead to odd man rushes. 

 

 

COACH'S CORNER WITH STEVE MARTINSON

"We beat ourselves last night. Defensive mistakes allowed them to have three different 2-on-1 rushes and they scored on all of them."

"We failed to capitalizes on our chances. We have to put the puck in the net."

"Frank Marotte will get the start on goal tonight. He has played well in the opportunities he has been given and has worked hard to keep himself ready when called on."

"With Roy, Dudek and Lohin out and not available, there are only a couple of changes I can make for the game tonight."

"I expect to win the game tonight and we will head to Rapid City right after the game. I reminded the players we have been down 3-1 before in the playoffs and came back to win. 

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- Goalie Frank Marotte has made 37 straight saves in the just over 65 minutes he has played in goal in his last three appearances. 

 

 - There are six games in the ECHL tonight, four teams can advance to the second round with a win. 

• #2 Newfoundland at #3 Trois-Riviéres - Growlers lead 3-1
• #1 Florida at #4 Greenville - Everblades lead 3-1
• #4 Cincinnati at #1 Toledo - Cincinnati leads 3-1
• #2 Rapid City at #3 Allen - Rapid City leads 3-1

Here is the ECHL Today with the previews:  https://www.echl.com/en/news/2022/4/echl-today-april-30

 

 

 

 

- I am sure most of you have read about goalie Thomas Hodges dream come true NHL debut last night. Thomas the EBUG, played a full period for Anaheim against the Dallas Stars after both Ducks goalies got injured. Hodges has helped out Allen for years when the Americans need a goalie for practice or games. He has made several road trip with Allen but managed to get in just one game since 2016. It was a New Year's Eve home game in 2016 and Allen was leading 8-4 late in the game. With 50 seconds remaining in the game, Allen goalie, Jamie Murray, came up with an injury (wink-wink) which allowed Hodges to enter the game. The only time an EBUG can play is if the goalie is injured. Hodges had no shots in his 50 seconds but got in the record books as a pro goalie. In addition to EBUG duties for Allen, Hodges has served as an EBUG for the following teams when they were visiting Allen and needed an EBUG:

• Idaho Steelheads
• South Carolina Stingrays
• Kansas City Mavericks
• Utah Grizzlies
• Rapid City Rush
• Wichita Thunder
• Orlando Solar Bears

 

 

- Here is a story from the Dallas Morning News about the EBUG experience Hodges had last night: https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/stars/2022/04/30/professional-for-a-period-stars-emergency-goaltender-thomas-hodges-had-a-night-to-remember/   

 

 

Here is a video of the night and both teams congratulating Hodges after the game: https://youtu.be/3Zq5tXLEGS8

 

 

 

- Last night wasn't the first time Thomas Hodges got publicity as an NHL EBUG. Back in 2018 he had to dress for a game after a Florida Panthers goalie was injured, but he never got in the game: Here is what I wrote in the blog about that experience:

 

- Who would have thought the next Allen Americans player to dress for an NHL game would be Allen's often used EBUG (emergency backup goalie) Thomas Hodges. The Plano West graduate has helped out the Americans many times over the past couple of years at practice and when they needed an EBUG because of injuries. Thomas actually played 50 seconds in the 2016 New Year's Eve game. With Allen leading 8-4 against Utah, starting goalie Jamie Murray came up with a stiff back with 50 seconds remaining in the game. An EBUG can only play if there is an injury to the other goalie. Thomas didn't get a save but made his pro debut which was a big thrill.

If you were watching the Dallas Stars play the Florida Panthers last night you saw Panthers' goalie James Reimer get injured early in the first period. Because Riemer could not return the NHL emergency goalie plan went into effect. It is a pretty elaborate plan which entails the home team having an emergency back up goalie on hand who can play for either team. Last night that was Thomas Hodges who was the back up goalie for the Florida Panthers. He didn't sit on the bench but was dressed and ready to go in the tunnel. Just think, when the Americans hang a banner in the AEC of players that made it from the Allen Americans to the NHL it will include the names Jordie Benn, Aaron Dell and now Thomas Hodges. What a great experience for the young goaltender. Here is the complete story written by Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News complete with a picture of Thomas in his Florida Panthers gear. https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2018/01/23/stars-notebook-nhls-emergency-goalie-plan-put-effect-after-injury-panthersjames-reimer

 

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: The 2022 Kelly Cup playoffs has some stats that make you look twice. Here are a few examples.

 

- Wheeling leads all teams in penalty minutes with 103. The Nailers have only played four games thus far but has 30 more penalty minutes than any other team.

 

- Utah has the #1 power play at 37.5%. That is 10.2% higher than any other playoff team.

 

- Greenville has 3 shorthand goals in four games. No other team has more than one and 11 teams have none.

 

- Newfoundland is #1 in average goals scored per game (5.00). No other team in the playoffs is above 3.80. 10 teams are averaging less than 3.00 goals per game.

 

- Maine is the only playoff team that has not given up a third period goal. The Mariners have outscored #1 seed Reading 7-0 in the third period.

 

- Toledo has the only two penalty shots of the playoffs. They both happened in the same period in the same game less than three minutes apart. Cincinnati goalie, Michael Houser, stopped both penalty shots.

 

 
  

Allen vs Rapid City Preview, Coach's Corner with Steve Martinson, Playoff Update, All Time Leaders in Playoff Games and More

 

- It is game day for the Allen Americans as they take on the Rapid City Rush at the CUTX Event Center in game four of the playoffs. By the end of the day the Americans will be back in the series with it tied 2-2 or they will be holding on by a string with the Rush leading 3-1. Rapid City would have a chance to close out the series in Allen on Saturday knowing games six and seven (if necessary) will be on home ice.  

 

- As a reminder, here are the cumulative stats after three games in the series:

• Goals: 7 Allen vs 11 Rapid City
• Shots:  87 Allen vs 153 Rapid City
• Power Play: 0-7 Allen vs 3-17 Rapid City
• PIMS: 38 Allen vs 18 Rapid City
• Minor Penalties: 19 Allen vs 9 Rapid City

 

- Scoring first and playing with the lead are critical. The team that has scored first has won the first three games of this series. Allen has not held the lead after any period. Allen's only win came in overtime. Of the nine periods thus far, Rapid City has led after four of them and the other five have been tied. How important is playing with the lead? For all teams in the playoffs, the record when leading after the first period is 14-4-2 and when leading after the second period it is 19-3-1-0. A key tonight for Allen is to take a lead and keep it.

 

- Special teams are always key and even more so in game prep the last two days, given Allen is scoreless in the series on the power play and the penalty kill gave up two goals on Tuesday (one was 5-on-3). Video review, meetings and practice time all had time 

devoted to special teams. The Americans will likely have to win the special teams battle to win the game tonight. As Coach Martinson said, the best way to help the penalty kill is to stay out of the penalty box. 

 

- There will be a new set of  referees to work the game tonight. Casey Terreri (#14) and Alex Normandin (#26) are scheduled. Terreri worked three games in Allen during the regular season. It was the Americans three game sweep of Idaho over the New Year weekend. Allen had 12 power play opportunities and Idaho had 14 in the three games. Normandin has not worked an Allen game this season. He is also an AHL referee and worked the Kelly Cup finals in 2019.    

 

- Allen's defensive liabilities have been talked about in some shape or form in almost every game preview all season. It is something coach Martinson has talked about and worked on all season. The Americans have outshot their opponents in just 24% of their games this season. In those 18 games, Allen's record is 14-3-1-0. Too often neutral zone turnovers, lack of puck pressure, getting shots blocked, missing the net and a poor forecheck have cost the Americans. There have been times when Allen has been great in these areas of the game but it has not happened consistently. Tonight's game will turn on how well Allen performs in these areas. Allen has always been a team that plays best when its back is up against the wall. Look for a good performance by the team tonight.  

 

COACH'S CORNER WITH STEVE MARTINSON

"Tonight is an important game as we can't go down 3-1 in the series."

"We spent a lot of time the past two days going over video with the team. We covered offensive zone and defensive zone puck possession."

"Turnovers eliminate opportunities for us and usually create good opportunities for the opponent. Rapid City does a good job in getting back so we can't try to go through four players on a Rush with three players. If we don't have a play it is important to get the puck in deep and forecheck."

"We have to stay out of the penalty box. One of the reasons for the shot differential in this series is the disproportionate power play time."  

"JD Dudek and Ryan Lohin will not be available tonight."  

 

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- A recap of the eight ECHL playoff series as of this morning. Note that none of the series are tied:

• One team, #3 seed (South) Jacksonville is first team to advance to the second round with 4-0 sweep.
• One team, #2 seed (North) Newfoundland has a 3-1 lead.
• Two teams, #4 seed (Central) Cincinnati and #1 seed (Mountain) Utah lead 3-2
  
• Four teams, #1 seed (North) Reading, #1 seed (South) Florida, #3 seed (Central) Wheeling and #2 seed (Mountain) Rapid City lead 2-1.

  

 

- It is still just the first round of the Kelly Cup playoffs but some early observations:

• If defense wins championships watch out for Jacksonville. In the 4-0 sweep of Atlanta the Icemen allowed just seven total goals. 
• If you think goal differential is a good predictor of success watch out for Newfoundland (+9), Jacksonville (+8) and Utah (+5).
• If special teams win championships watch out for Reading (37.5% PP, 90.0% PK) and Utah (37.5% PP, 92.6% PK).  

 

 

 

-  There are only four games on the schedule tonight and all four are 2-1, so no teams have a chance to advance to the second round. Florida is at Greenville, Fort Wayne is at Wheeling, Reading at Maine and Rapid City at Allen. Here is the ECHL Today with a preview on all of the games: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2022/3/echl-today-march-23

 

 

 

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL Stats post today is about current players on the all time list for playoff games played. Allen is well represented on the all time list. In addition to Costello and Asuchak, these former Allen players are in the top 40 all time in playoff games played (rank is in parenthesis):

• Matt Register (1st)
• Mathieu Aubin (6th)
• Casey Pierro-Zabotel (20th)
• Jamie Schaafsma (26th)
• Gary Steffes (28th)

 

Four current ECHL players are in the top 40 all time in total playoff games played and are participating in the playoffs this season.  Here are the four players with games played and all time rank in parenthesis:

 

80: Shawn Szydlowski, Fort Wayne (14th)

78: John McCarron, Florida (17th)

76: Spencer Asuchak, Allen (23rd)

69: Chad Costello, Allen (38th)

 

- #1 all time in ECHL playoff games played is defenseman Matt Register with 131 games between 2011-2021. Register is currently in the playoffs in Great Britain and could win the championship this weekend. He won three Kelly Cups.

 

- #2 all time in ECHL playoff games played is Rapid City coach Scott Burt who played in 104 playoff games between 1997-2011. He won three Kelly Cups.

Stick Taps to the #1's, Allen's Regular Season Finishes Last 10 Seasons, Playoff Stats and More

 

 As the Allen Americans continue to prepare for game four of the series against Rapid City tomorrow night (7:05 pm), I want to take the time to look back at the regular season and acknowledge all of the #1 players in many of the stat categories I track. Here goes:

• FORWARDS
  

• Jackson Leppard - #1 games played (70)
  
• Chad Costello - #1 points (72)
• Spencer Asuchak - #1 goals (27)
• Chad Costello - #1 assists (46)
• Jack Combs - #1 plus/minus (+15)
• Spencer Asuchak #1 PIMS (128))
• Chad Costello - #1 points per game (1.09)
• Spencer Asuchak - #1 power play goals (9)
• Spencer Asuchak - #1 shorthanded goals (2)
• Branden Troock - #1 shots (204)
• Spencer Asuchak - #1 game winning goals (5)
• Chad Costello - #1 power play assists (15)

• DEFENSEMEN

• Kris Myllari - #1 games played (72)
• Phil Beaulieu - #1 points (38)
• Myllari & Beaulieu - #1 goals (8)
• Phil Beaulieu - #1 assists (30)
• Kris Myllari - #1 plus/minus (+15)
• Darian Skeoch - #1 PIMS (135)
• Eric Roy - #1 points per game (0.70)
• Kris Myllari - #1 shots (135)
• Kris Myllari - #1 game winning goals (4)
• Myllari & Beaulieu - #1 power play goals (3)
  
• Phil Beaulieu - #1 power play assists (12)

• GOALIES

• Luke Peressini - #1 games played (26)
• Luke Peressini - #1 wins (15)
• Luke Peressini - #1 minutes (1341)
• Luke Peressini - #1 save percentage (.919)
• Antoine Bibeau - #1 - GAA (2.79)

 

 

- Thus far in the playoffs the home teams have a record of 14-9-2 and the visiting teams have a record of 11-10-4.

 

- Of the 20 qualified playoff goalies (minimum 60 minutes played), Luke Peressini is ranked #10 in minutes played with 174. Three goalies have played 200+ minutes. Despite being #10 in minutes played, Peressini is #1 in saves with 128. He is #5 in save percentage (.921).

 

- A lot goes into success at the ECHL level and help received by having NHL/AHL players assigned is a huge factor. Wichita coach Bruce Ramsay was the ECHL Coach of the Year in 2020-21 and finished last in the Western Conference this season. He didn't become a bad coach, he was affected by injuries, call ups and loans this season while last season he had a lot of players assigned. It is much easier to be successful with 15+ contract players on the playoff roster like Newfoundland or 10+ contract players like Utah. Allen hasn't had a single NHL/AHL contracted player start a game in the playoffs.    

 

- This is Steve Martinson's 10th year as coach and general manager of the Allen Americans. I decided to go back and see where Allen finished in the league standings during the regular season in all 10 seasons. Turns out the Americans finished in the top five in the league in seven of the ten years and in the top three, six times. The expectation of a coach is to put the team in position to compete for the championship. After all, only three current ECHL head coaches have ever won the Kelly Cup. Steve Martinson has won two in Allen, Tulsa coach Rob Murray won in Alaska in 2014 and Ben Boudreau won last season.

• 2021-22: 10th
• 2020-21: 1st
• 2019-20 - 3rd
• 2018-19 - 27th
• 2017-18: 13th
• 2016-17: 2nd
• *2015-16: 5th
• *2014-15: 2nd
• *2013-14: 3rd
• *2012-13: 1st

*won championship

 

- There are five more playoff games scheduled tonight including one team (Jacksonville) that can advance to the second round. Here is the ECHL with the previews:  https://www.echl.com/en/news/2022/4/echl-today-april-28

 

- A Utah defenseman, Defenseman of the Year Charle-Edouard D'Astous, leads the playoff in goals (6) and a Utah rookie, Benjamin Tardif leads in points (11). A rookie goalie, Reading's Logan Flodell, leads the playoffs in GAA (1.00) and save percentage (.968.) 

 

- It is no surprise Toledo leads all playoff teams in attendance. The Walleye drew 15,235 fans in two home games for an average of 7618 per game. Fort Wayne is #2, averaging 6011 per game. Allen drew 1771 on Tuesday but will have much better crowds on Friday and Saturday. 

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: 2022 Kelly Cup playoff fun facts:

 

- Only 3-0 team is a #3 seed, Jacksonville, who plays first four games at home because #2 seed Atlanta, has a scheduling conflict.

- Two #1 seeds (Utah & Toledo) are tied 2-2 against #4 seeds (Tulsa & Cincinnati).

- #3 seed Wheeling leads #2 seed Fort Wayne 2-1 despite scoring a total of six goals in three games.

- Newfoundland has scored 15 goals in three games (lead series 2-1).

- Maine has just two goals in two games (trail 0-2 in series).

 

Allen Suffers Another Setback, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Steve Martinson's Comments, Comeback Stats and More

 

After being outplayed and outworked in the first two games of the series against Rapid City and coming away with a split, the roof fell in on the Allen Americans last night. The result, a 5-1 loss, which was indicative of just how poorly the team played. Here are the facts:

• Allen gave up the first and only goal of the opening period while being outshot 14-6.
• Allen lost the second period 3-0 while being outshot 18-6.
• Allen lost the third period 1-0 while being outshot 16-10. 
  
• In the last half of the first period and first half of the second period Allen was outshot 19-3.
• Game totals, Allen was out shot 48-22 and outscored 5-1.
  
• Allen was 0-2 on the power play.
• Rapid City was 2-6 on the power play. 

- There have been a couple of glimmers of hope over the last six games. The final game of the season against Iowa, which earned Allen a playoff spot, was a good example of how the Americans could play. The overtime game in Rapid City on Saturday was second example of the Americans playing to their capability. The poor play has far outweighed the good and has been hidden by the outstanding play of goalie Luke Peressini. 

 

- Rapid City's shooting percentage in the first  two games was unusually low (5.7%). Last night it was 10.4% which is good but not particularly high. After three games, Allen still has a better cumulative shooting percentage (8.0%) than the Rush (7.2%). 

 

- Allen is now 1-2 in the series against Rapid City but could have easily been 0-3. The Americans have been outshot by a hard to believe total of 153-87. Allen hasn't scored a power play goal (0-7) but has allowed three (3-17).  

- Allen is quickly running out of time to start playing better and get this series turned around. The game on Friday is not mathematically a must win game, but practically, if the Americans lose on Friday, they will be in a hole that will be almost impossible to dig out of. If Allen falls behind 3-1 they will have less than a 10% chance of winning the series. A win on Friday to tie the series 2-2  and it becomes a best of three series and anything can happen.

 

- Spencer Asuchak scored Allen's only goal last night. Spencer has scored at least one point in all three games against Rapid City and leads the team in points (1G, 3A). Here are the video highlights:  https://youtu.be/gNs4Y4GdMi8

 

- Here is the game recap from the Rapid City Journal. Very thorough story with plenty of quotes from coach Scott Burt and players. A good read: https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/rush-give-inspired-performance-in-game-3-win-in-allen/article_42f01f9c-692a-54a3-8f1c-e0e12378d946.html

 

- Here is the game recap issued by the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/americans-drop-game-3-to-rapid-city/  

COACH'S CORNER WITH STEVE MARTINSON

- One the privileges of writing the blog each morning is talking to coach Martinson. He is such a good face of the team. It is unfortunate the Americans no longer have regular post game press conferences with the season ticket holders. I am always amazed at Martinson's work ethic, frankness, positive attitude that the team can win and a singular focus on what he can do to make the team better. There is no doubt he will be working 24x7 until the last whistle of the season whether that is against Rapid City or winning the Kelly Cup. Here is what Martinson had to say this morning about the game last night and the game coming up on Friday:

"The even strength overall puck possession time last night was close but they had double the offensive zone puck possession time.      

"We have to stay out of the penalty box. They had two 5-on-3 power plays last night. One of the reasons for the big shot differential in the game was the power play time."

"Some players have a habit of taking a shot and then skating behind the net rather than to the front of the net. It is a bad habit that is hard to break if you have been doing it for years."

"We played well in the overtime on Saturday but our best game of this series was the 3-2 loss in game one. We have to get back to playing more like we did in that game."

"Because we have two days between games it will give me more time to put together a game plan for Friday. I will spend a lot of time today pulling video of our puck battles, especially in the corners, to help emphasize what we need to do to improve that phase of the game."  

"I expect there will be lineup changes for the game on Friday, depending on which day to day guys can play and how some of the players recover from the game last night."

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- Allen's average shots allowed in the playoffs is ranked dead last at 51.00 per game. The other 15 playoff teams range from 25.50 to 39.00 shots allowed. We need to kill their plays faster and create more of our own."

- Goalie Frank Marotte had another relief appearance last night and stopped all 14 shots he faced in the final 16:43 of the game. Frank's last three appearances have come in relief and he was perfect in all three. The total for the three appearances is just over 65 minutes and 37 straight saves for a save percentage of 100%.  

- Road teams were 2-1 last night. In addition to Rapid City beating Allen, Utah beat Tulsa 2-1. Trois-Riviéres was the only home team winner beating Newfoundland 3-2. The higher seeds (Newfoundland, Rapid City, Tulsa) lead the series 2-1. 

- There are five games on the ECHL schedule tonight. The two playoff teams that have not lost are playing at home with the chance to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. Jacksonville will host Atlanta and Wheeling will host Fort Wayne. Here is the ECHL Today with previews of all five games:  https://www.echl.com/en/news/2022/4/echl-today-april-27

 

- Rapid City rookie coach, Scott Burt, is no stranger to winning in the ECHL. As a player he won three Kelly Cups, in 2004 and 2007 with Idaho and in 2011 with Alaska. Burt is #2 all time in ECHL playoff games played with 104. FYI. #1 on the list is Matt Register with 131 playoff games played.  

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL Stats post today is about how  difficult it is to comeback in the playoffs when leading after the second period. A reminder, during the regular season Allen's record when leading after the second period was 20-0-1-1.

 

Don’t plan on having your favorite ECHL team coming from behind in the third period in the Kelly Cup playoffs because that is fools gold. Thus far in the playoffs, teams with a lead after the second period have a record of 13-1-1-0 which is a points percentage of .900. 

 

Jacksonville is the lone team to win in regulation when trailing after the second period. The Icemen trailed Atlanta 2-1 and scored two third period goals to win game one 3-2. Jacksonville leads the series 2-0 with game three in Jacksonville tonight.

Allen vs Rapid City Preview, Coach's Corner with Steve Martinson, ECHL Schedule, Another ECHL Coaching Vacancy, Minor Penalties Increase in Playoffs and More

 

It is game day and it is time for the best part of the season, playoff hockey at home. Tonight will be the chance to erase the memory of the last home playoff game which was 311 days ago. The night the Americans were leading 4-1 against Fort Wayne, with 12 minutes remaining in the game and lost 5-4 in overtime. Rather than a 2-0 lead in the best of five series, Allen headed to Fort Wayne with the series tied and the Americans never recovered, losing to the eventual Kelly Cup champions 3-1. I digress as that was in the past and most of this year's team doesn't even know about that game. Allen scored four goals in that game and the goal scorers were Sam Laberge, Scott Conway, Brett Neumann and Corey Mackin.

-  How important is game three in a seven game series? Based on NHL history in opening round series, if Rapid City wins tonight the Rush odds of winning the series increases to 70%. If Allen wins the Americans odds of winning the series goes to 57%. 

- For Allen the game is important to show they are on the right track after the two games in Rapid City. If Allen can play tonight how they ended the game on Saturday they will be fine. 

- As always special teams will play a key role in the game tonight. The two referee system used in the playoffs creates more power play opportunities (see below). In the first two games of the series, Allen has had just five power plays compared to 11 for Rapid City. The Americans are 0-5 on the power play, Rapid City is 1-11. I know coach Martinson was not pleased with the disparity in power plays, especially the penalty in overtime on Saturday.

 

- The referees scheduled for the game tonight are Jake Jackson (#16) and Nolan Bloyer (#31). Allen has seen Bloyer just one time (in Toledo) and there were a total of five power plays. Jackson has worked five Allen games including the final two games of the regular season against Iowa. In the five games there were a total of 42 power plays, 22 for Allen, 20 for the opponents. 

 

- A good start is essential  to success. In the first two games of this series the team that scored first won. Neither team has had more than a one goal lead. At the end of five of the six periods in the first two games the score was tied. A first period lead would be huge for Allen tonight.

 

- 30% of the ECHL playoff games thus far have gone to overtime. Allen was very good in overtime on Saturday. Odds are you will see another overtime game between Allen and Rapid City this week. 

COACH'S CORNER WITH STEVE MARTINSON

"The lopsided shots on Saturday is something we have to deal with but I thought we outplayed them in the last part of the third period and in overtime."

"Some of the shot differential came from the disparity in power plays (8 vs 3). 

"I have made some tweaks to the power play and penalty kill for the game tonight."

"JD Dudek will be available tonight, Eric Roy and Ryan Lohin will not and are still day to day."

"I have said this before but it is so critical in the next three home games. For us to be successful our veteran lines have to outplay the lines they are playing against."

"Defense is hard work whether it is on special teams or even strength. We tend too coast to much which gets us in trouble."

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- There was just one game in the ECHL last night. In a high scoring affair, Cincinnati beat Toledo 6-5 in overtime to take a 2-1 series lead against the Brabham Cup winner. Toledo had two players, both former Allen Americans, get kicked out of the game. Jesse Mychan was given a game misconduct for charging early in the third period and Cole Fraser was given a match penalty in overtime for slew footing.  Fraser's penalty proved costly as Cincinnati's overtime game winner was scored on the power play. Two of the three games in this series have gone to overtime. The teams will play again on Wednesday and Thursday in Cincinnati.

 

-  Here are the three games scheduled tonight:

• #2 Newfoundland at #3 Trois-Riviéres - Newfoundland leads 2-0
• #2 Rapid City at #3 Allen - Series tied 1-1
• #1 Utah at #4 Tulsa - Series tied 1-1
• ECHL Today preview: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2022/4/echl-today-april-26

 

- Add another vacancy to the list of ECHL teams looking for a new head coach. Orlando announced yesterday the Solar Bears have parted ways with their coach. There are now three or four ECHL teams looking for a new coach. It is hard to believe Steve Martinson is not under contract for next season and his current contract will expire at the end of June. Talk about a distraction. Martinson could very well end up with a new job before Allen even talks to him about a new contract. C'MON MAN!  

 

 

 DID YOU KNOW: Too early to draw any conclusions but during the ECHL regular season, with one referee, average number of minor penalties per game against each team was 4.48. Thus far in the Kelly Cup playoffs, with two referees, the average number of minor penalties against each team is 6.27. That is close to a 40% increase in minor penalties.

Week Ahead for the Allen Americans, Former Allen Players in Final Four in EIHL (Great Britain), Oldest ECHL Players Leading Team in Points and More

 

It is a critical week for the Allen Americans playoff hopes, with home games on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday (all 7:05 pm CDT starts) against Rapid City. How important is this week? By the end of the week Allen could be headed to round two of the playoffs, headed to the golf course or headed back to Rapid City for games six and seven.

 

-  The question that will be answered this week is, can the Americans play up to their ability or will they underperform. Allen has been in playoff mode the last five games. Those five games include the final three games of the regular season against Iowa (when making the playoffs was in doubt) and the first two playoff games in Rapid City. Allen's record in those five games was 3-2-0-0, with two of the wins coming in overtime. 

 

- Unfortunately Allen played up to its capability in just one of the last five games even though the Americans won three of the five. The one good game was the final game of the season against Iowa when the playoffs were literally on the line. Here are a couple of sentences from the blog after that big win against Iowa:

 The most familiar refrain heard from coaches and fans after the Allen Americans defeated the Iowa Heartlanders 6-3 last night to qualify for the Kelly Cup playoffs was, "It's nice to see the old Allen Americans tonight." What made the difference was Allen came out hitting and finishing its checks from the opening puck drop. The Americans avoided turnovers, got the puck in deep when there wasn't a play at the blue line and the forecheck was as good as it has been all season. 

 

- There is no way to sugarcoat the fact that Allen is lucky to be back home for three games with the series tied 1-1. When you win a game in overtime after giving up 63 shots and eight power plays you are definitely beating the odds.

 

- Here are the cumulative stats from the first two playoff games. The rank among the 16 playoff teams is in parenthesis:

• Goals Scored (average per game)
• 3.00 - Rapid City (8th)
• 3.00 - Allen (8th)
  

 

• Goals Allowed (average per game)
• 3.00 - Rapid City (6th)
  
• 3.00 - Allen (6th)
  

• Shots For (average per game)
• 52.50 - Rapid City (1st)
• 32.50 - Allen (7th)
  

• Shots Against (average per game)
• 32.50 - Rapid City (8th)
  
• 52.50 - Allen (16th)
  

• Shooting Percentage (goals as a percent of total shots)
• 9.2% - Allen (9th)
• 5.7% - Rapid City (14th)
  

• Power Play Percentage
• 9.1% - Rapid City (9th)
  
• 0.0% - Allen (16th)

• Penalty Kill Percentage
• 100.0% - Rapid City (1st) 
  
• 90.9% - Allen (7th)

• Plus/Minus
• -5 - Rapid City (11th)
• +5 - Allen (7th)
  

• Save Percentage
• .908 - Rapid City (7th)
  
• .943 - Allen (3rd)

 

   

 - The most glaring stat over the last five games is shots. Allen was outshot in those five games by a total of 225-137. In the two games in Rapid City the Americans were outshot 105-65. 

- Statistics aside it is clear the Americans have a very talented team that is capable of  winning this series, if they play up to their potential. Consistency has been an issue for much of the season but the team has played well at home recently. Allen's record in its last 10 home games is 7-2-1-0.

 

- The team will have a light practice today and coach Martinson will likely have most if not all of the playoff roster participate. Several players are still listed as day to day, but Allen could have the healthiest lineup in months available for the game tomorrow night and certainly by the weekend.

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- The European leagues are winding down with some championships all ready decided. The most popular league for former Allen players is the EIHL in Great Britain. Playing this season in the EIHL are former Allen players Dyson Stevenson, Matt Register, Colton Yellow Horn, Josh Lammon, Scott Conway, Tanner Eberle, Jared VanWormer, Dallas Ehrhardt, Greg Chase, Braylon Shmyr, Sam Ruopp, Alex Ranger and Ben Wilson.  

The EIHL championship will be decided this weekend. The EIHL playoffs are very different than the ECHL. The first round is just two games with total goals being the tiebreaker. The semi-finals and finals are just one game and are played in one facility, always in Nottingham. This Saturday it will be Belfast Giants vs Dundee Stars in one semi-final game and the Cardiff Devils vs Guilford Flames in the other. The two winners will play Sunday, called the grand final, for the championship.  

There are Allen connections on three of the four semi-final teams. In the first semifinal game, Scott Conway and Sam Ruopp play for Belfast vs Dundee who has Alex Ranger and Charlie Combs (Jack's brother).

In the second semi-final game, Cardiff has Josh Lammon and Matt Register on the team vs Guilford with no Allen connections.

 

- Newfoundland has lived up to its billing in the first two games of the playoffs. With a team made up of mostly NHL/AHL contracted players the Growlers beat Trois-Riviéres 7-4 and 6-2. Reading is up 2-0 over Maine in the other North Division series. It looks like a North Division final pitting the #2 and #3 teams in the league in points percentage. One of the best teams in the league will get eliminated in the second round.

 

- The tough luck story of the playoffs is Atlanta who is the #2 seed in the South Division. The Gladiators have to play the first four games of its series with Jacksonville on the road because of arena availability and the new rules on when the first round games must be played. Atlanta not only loses home ice advantage to Jacksonville, the Gladiators won't get a home game until game five. Jacksonville leads the series 2-0 with two more home games on Wednesday and Thursday.

 

- The other team in trouble is Fort Wayne. The Komets are the #2 seed in the Central Division, but trail the #3 seed Wheeling 2-0 after losing twice at home over the weekend. The series now moves to Wheeling for games on Wednesday Friday and Saturday. The defending Kelly Cup champions will need a comeback similar to the comeback in Allen last season.  

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: Six ECHL players born in the 1980’s led their team in points this season. Here are the oldest players leading their ECHL team in points:

 

39 years, 209 days - Jesse Schultz, Cincinnati

36 years, 136 days - T.J. Hensick, Toledo

35 years, 349 days - Jordan Smotherman, Worcester

35 years, 277 days - Chad Costello, Allen

33 years, 83 days - Shane Harper, Adirondack

33 years, 5 days - Andrew Cherniwchan, South Carolina

 

    

Peressini Faces 63 Shots, Allen wins in OT and Heads Out of Town in Snowstorm, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Steve Martinson's Comments, ECHL Schedule, All-time Allen Milestones and More

 

The good news is Allen beat Rapid City 4-3 in overtime last night to even the series 1-1 and will head home for the next three games (Tuesday, Friday, Saturday). The bad news is the Americans played the ugliest game in their ECHL playoff history. Luke Peressini faced a record 63 shots and made 60 saves to steal a win for Allen. To quote Rapid City coach Scott Burt after the game, "Their goalie played well, hats off to him. He was excellent tonight. We had some grade-A opportunities and he stood on his head." Burt went on to say, "You can't allow that team, which has that much experience, to hang around. We did, and we didn't capitalize when we needed to capitalize."

 

- Allen got off to a good start, when Colby McAuley scored the first goal of the game on the Americans first shot of the game at the 2:56 mark of the opening period. Rapid City responded less than two minutes later to tie the score on the only power play goal of the game. The first period ended in a 1-1 tie, but the score was not indicative of the one-sided nature of the period. The Rush outshot Allen 20-7, aided by three power plays.

 

- There was no scoring in the second period despite Rapid City having another 20+ shot period. The final tally was 24-11 for a two period total of 44-18. Thanks to goalie Luke Peressini, whose save percentage over the first two periods was .977, the Americans started the third period with a chance to win the game. Allen took a 2-1 lead early in the period (6:14) on Chad Costello's second goal in as many games. Rapid City then scored two unanswered goals (8:50 & 12:18) to take a 3-2 lead and it looked like Peressini's heroic effort might go to waste. As Luke was headed to the bench for an extra attacker, Branden Troock blasted a one timer past the Rush goalie from the right circle. There were two minutes and two seconds remaining in the game when Troock scored the tying goal.

 

- Allen had renewed energy in the overtime period. The Americans outshot the Rush 8-6 in overtime and Allen had to kill a penalty. Ben Carroll scored the game winner 13:24 into the extra period on a wrist shot from the slot.   

- The game winning goal was full of irony at so many levels, with the young players delivering:

• The goal came off a neutral ice turnover by Rapid City, something that has been an Achilles heel for Allen this season.
• Rookie Justin Young made a great play to create the turnover despite being tripped. 
• Jackson Leppard beat two Rush players on the side boards to make a cross ice pass to Chad Butcher.
• Chad Butcher, who could have shot, saw defenseman Ben Carroll driving toward the net an gave him a perfect little touch pass.
• Ben Carroll shot the puck right in stride from the high slot just outside the right circle to score the game winning goal. It was Ben's first playoff goal and just his third goal of the season.
• Justin Young, who started the play, hustled to net front and stood right in front of the goalie on Carroll's goal. Young doesn't show up in the box score, but he was critical to the start and the end of the game winning goal.
  

 

- Here are the video highlights:  https://youtu.be/RVPz0_9LnB0

 

- Game recap from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/americans-beat-rapid-city-in-overtime-to-even-the-series/

 

- Here is the game recap from the Rapid City Journal. If you didn't watch or listen to the game this is an excellent play by play, goal by goal description of the game with stats and quotes:  https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/rush-s-63-shots-not-enough-as-americans-win-in-ot-tie-series-1-1/article_17d848a2-e7c4-5987-9022-b6b318e260d0.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

 

- How amazing was Luke Peressini's 63 shot and 60 save performance last night? It was one for the ages. Allen has played in 76 playoff games over six seasons since joining the ECHL in 2014. Here is the highest single game save total in each of Allen's playoff seasons:

• 63 saves - Luke Peressini (2022)
• 40 saves -  Jake Paterson (2021)
• 40 saves - Jake Patterson (2018)
• 35 saves - Riley Gill (2017)
• 44 saves - Jake Hildebrand (2016)
• 44 saves - Riley Gill (2015)

- Part of the reason Allen allowed 63 shots was because the Americans took too many penalties. Rapid City had eight power plays (one in OT) compared to three for Allen. Allen was 0-3 while Rapid City was 1-8.

 

COACH'S CORNER WITH STEVE MARTINSON

"The positives from the games is we found a way to win and we played better in the third period and especially in the overtime."

"Our penalty helped kill kept us in the game, but it was Peressini's performance that really kept us in the game until we got going in overtime. Luke has been our best and most consistent player for over a month."

"We continue to turn the puck over trying to make low percentage plays."

"We have to put in the work in their end of the ice, pressuring the puck and being in the right position to deal with passes."

"I thought we played better in the game on Friday night than we did last night."

"We were able to leave Rapid City at around 11:00 pm last night. The roads were open and the driver was okay with leaving. The players wanted to leave so we headed out. It was a little spotty the first three hours or so, but then it was fine. Instead of staying overnight in Rapid City we will now get home late Sunday afternoon."  

"We will have a light practice on Monday."

 

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- It was a good night for the lower seeded road teams as they had a record of 5-1 last night. Newfoundland was the only home team to win beating Trois-Riviéres 6-2. All 16 teams have now played two games with four holding 2-0 leads. Newfoundland and Reading in the North Division, Jacksonville in the South Division and Wheeling in the Central Division. All four playoff teams in the Mountain Division are 1-1.

 

- All ECHL playoff series now move to the window prescribed for playing games 3-5. This set of games must be completed by Saturday (4/30). There will be games everyday this week. Here is the list:

• Monday
• Toledo at Cincinnati

 

• Tuesday 
• Newfoundland at Trois-Riviéres
• Utah at Tulsa
  
• Rapid City at Allen

 

•  Wednesday
• Atlanta at Jacksonville
• Florida at Greenville
• Fort Wayne at Wheeling
• Toledo at Cincinnati
• Utah at Tulsa

 

•  Thursday
• Reading at Maine
• Newfoundland at Trois-Riviéres
• Atlanta at Jacksonville
• Toledo at Cincinnati
• Utah at Tulsa

 

• Friday
• Florida at Greenville
• Fort Wayne at Wheeling
• Reading at Maine 
• Rapid City at Allen

 

• Saturday
• Reading at Maine
• Newfoundland at Trois-Riviéres
• Florida at Greenville
• Fort Wayne at Wheeling
• Cincinnati at Toledo
• Rapid City at Allen
  

 

- Chad Costello seems to set to some type all time Allen record every time he scores. His two points (both goals) in Rapid City has vaulted Chad past Greger Hanson for the most all time playoff points in franchise history. Chad now has 78 playoff points in 62 playoff games, surpassing Greger Hanson who had 77 playoff points. Hanson is still #1 in playoff goals with 37, followed by #2 Gary Steffes (29) and #3 Spencer Asuchak (27).

 

- With the win last night, Steve Martinson moved into a tie for second place in the most ECHL playoff wins all time. His next playoff win will tie him for #1 all time. Here are the four ECHL coaches with 50+ playoff wins:

• 54 - John Brophy, Hampton Roads
• 53 - Steve Martinson, Allen, Elmira, San Diego
• 53 - Matt Thomas, Cincinnati, Stockton, Fresno, Atlantic City
• 50 - David Payne, Alaska, Pee Dee
  

 

   DID YOU KNOW: Sure it is only two playoffs games for each team, but check out these stats:

- Rapid City is averaging 52.50 shots per game.

- *Newfoundland is averaging 6.5 goals per game.

- Utah’s power play percentage is 45.5% (5-11).

- Greenville has two shorthanded goals.

- Allen’s goalie, Luke Peressini, has 99 saves, 24 more than any other goalie.

- Utah defenseman, Charle-Edouard D’Astous, leads all ECHL players in power play points (5) and power play goals (3).

 

*only team on the list that is 2-0

 

 

Allen Loses 3-2, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Steve Martinson's Comments, Three OT Nailbiters Last Night, NHL/AHL Contracted Players by the Numbers and More

 

The Rapid City Rush found lightning in a bottle both literally and figuratively last night in beating the Allen Americans 3-2 in the opening game of the playoffs. With the game tied 2-2 midway through the third period a lightning strike knocked out power to part of The Monument Ice Arena that caused a delay of about 10 minutes. Shortly after the game resumed Rapid City scored the game winner when a shot from the point was deflected into the net to give the Rush a 3-2 lead. Allen pulled goalie Luke Peressini with just under two minutes remaining in the game for an extra attacker but never managed a shot on goal.

 

- Allen got off to another slow start giving up the first goal of the game just 91 seconds after the opening puck drop. It was Rapid City's first shot of the game. It was not a good sign when you consider the record for the teams that scored the first goal thus far in the playoffs is 8-1-1. Allen spent the rest of the game coming from behind as Rapid City had leads of  1-0, 2-1 and 3-2. To the Americans credit they tied the score 1-1 on a goal by Chad Costello which was the score after the first period. When Rapid City took a 2-1 lead early in the second period the Americans responded less than two minutes later on a Chad Butcher goal. The game was tied 2-2 at the second intermission. 

- The third period was controlled by Rapid City. The Rush took the first seven shots and outshot the Americans 17-10 in the period. Each team had one power play opportunity but did not convert. After Rapid City scored the game winner (15:34), Allen managed just three shots on goal the rest of the game which included almost two minutes of extra attacker time.

- Both goalies played well and had highlight reel saves. Luke Peressini stopped 39 of 42 shots for a .929 save percentage and two of the three goals he allowed were deflections. Here are the video highlights from Allen and Rapid City with some of the great saves and the goals, with the exception of the game winning goal:

Highlights from Rapid City: https://www.echl.com/en/video/2022/4/allen-americans-vs-rapid-city-rush---apr-22-2022-TFS5e6OO

Highlights from Allen: https://youtu.be/936KV8AslII

 

- Here is the game recap from the Allen Americans:  https://allenamericans.com/media/americans-drop-game-1-to-rapid-city/

 

- Here is a different and complete game recap for change, as it comes from the local media (Rapid City Journal) rather than from the teams:  https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/rush-pot-late-goal-to-take-game-1-against-allen/article_981fce9a-26ff-5401-832c-2975cf4d548b.html

 

 

GAME TWO PREVIEW

- It is hard to say game two is a must win so early in the series but the odds of winning round one will go down dramatically if Allen doesn't find a way to win tonight and goes down 2-0. The historical odds say Allen's chances of winning the series would be just above 10%.

 

- What will it take to get a win tonight?

• Allen has to reduce shots allowed. The Americans are dead last in shots allowed among all of the playoff teams, allowing 42 last night. They are actually tied with Trois-Riviéres for last as the Lions also gave up 42 shots in a 7-4 loss to Newfoundland.  
• Giving up fewer shots actually starts on offense, as coach Martinson has said many times. Fewer turnovers in neutral ice and coming into the offensive zone, getting shots through shooting lanes so they don't get blocked, getting pucks on net and making better decisions on when and where to pass all contribute to more shots for Allen and fewer for Rapid City.
• Neither team scored a power play goal last night so the special teams were not a factor. The referees tonight will be the same as last night. Odds are special teams will play a bigger role tonight.
• Allen has too much offensive power to be satisfied with two goals in a game. All three lines have the ability to score on every shift. That offensive prowess needs to deliver more even strength goals tonight.

 

COACH'S CORNER WITH STEVE MARTINSON

"They had net front presence more than we did in the game. Two of their goals came on shots from the outside with guys at the net. We need to do a better job of getting in the front of the net and screening the goalie."

"We had too many odd man rushes and breakaways where we didn't get a shot or missed the net."

"For us to be successful our veteran lines have to outplay the lines they are playing against."

"We came out of the game without any new injuries, I won't decide until I have a chance to go through the video this morning what changes, if any, I will make for tonight."

"Peressini was good in goal with two of Rapid City's goals being deflections. He will start in goal again tonight." 

"I still haven't seen a replay of the winning goal, but I thought our defenseman was tripped on that play." 

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- Steve Martinson is two wins away from tying the ECHL all time record for career playoff wins. He currently has 53 playoff wins.

 

- Last night was a good one for the home teams which were the higher seeded teams. They were 7-1 on the night. Wheeling (#3 seed) was the only road team that won, beating Fort Wayne (#2 seed) by a score of 1-0. 

 

- The higher seeded teams won but it wasn't easy for several of them who won in overtime:

• Florida fell behind 3-0 and had to score twice in the final 80 seconds of the game with its net empty and an extra attacker just to get to overtime. The Everblades won 4-3 in overtime.
• Jacksonville had a 4-1 lead and gave up three goals in the last five minutes of the game, including the tying goal with one second remaining. The Icemen won 5-4 in overtime.
• The strangest ending came in Toledo's 3-2 overtime win against Cincinnati. John Albert, who scored all three Toledo goals was rimming the puck when it bounced off a stanchion, hit the goalie in the back and went in the net. A unique way to score the game winner and get a hat trick. Also a tough loss for Cincinnati and goalie Michael Houser losing in overtime on a fluke goal. You have to check this out if you haven't seen it: https://youtu.be/ncPx6LVr-fU

 

  

- There are only six playoff games tonight. The two series that have already played two games are idle. In the North Division #1 Reading leads #4 Maine 2-0. In the South Division #3 Jacksonville leads #2 Atlanta 2-0. Jacksonville caught a big break because of arena availability for Atlanta. Jacksonville is the lower seeded team at #3 but will play the first four playoff games on home ice. Here is the ECHL Today with a preview of the six games on tap tonight: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2022/4/echl-today-april-23  

 

 

 

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: The help ECHL teams get from their NHL/AHL affiliates and sometimes other NHL/AHL teams are key when it comes to success in the Kelly Cup playoffs. In addition to players already assigned to ECHL teams, there are numerous players that are playoff eligible but are still playing in the AHL. The AHL regular season won't finish until a week from today and 23 of the 31 AHL teams will make the playoffs. Many ECHL teams are saving playoff slots for these playoff eligible players in the AHL. The two contract players on the Allen roster are Ryan Lohin and Frank Marotte. The player on Allen's playoff eligible list that could be added later is Antoine Bibeau:

NHL/AHL contracted players submitted on ECHL playoff rosters (active & reserve) varies from 1-15. Here are the teams with the most and fewest NHL/AHL contract players on their roster. Does not include playoff eligible players still in the AHL, some of which could be added as the playoffs progress. The number of NHL/AHL contracted players on the playoff eligible list is in parenthesis:

 

MOST

15 - Newfoundland (6)

9- Utah (1)

8 - Trois Rivières (3)

7 - Wheeling (2)

6 - Florida (3)

5 - Reading (6)

 

FEWEST

1 - Toledo (3)

2 - Allen (1)

2 - Rapid City (0)

3 - Atlanta (1)

3 - Maine (5)

3 - Reading (6)

Allen vs Rapid City Series Preview, Goalies Used by ECHL Teams and More

 

It is game day and the second season for the Allen Americans has finally arrived. For the 11th time in the 13 year history of the Allen franchise and the 23rd time in Steve Martinson's 26 year coaching career, the pursuit of a championship begins. The Americans started the season losing 10 of the first 14 games but finished the last six weeks of the season with a record of 14-6-2-0 to claim the #3 seed in the Mountain Division. History says it will be an uphill battle for the Americans to win a third Kelly Cup based on their finish in the regular season. The goal right now is to win the first round, best of seven series against the Rapid City Rush.

 

- The team had a smooth 15 hour overnight trip to Rapid City on Big Blue yesterday. The team had a light practice after they arrived and will have  an optional pregame skate this morning. Here is the roster that made the trip to Rapid City:

 Goalies

• #31 - Luke Peressini
• #40 - Frank Marotte 
  

Defensemen

• #3 - Darian Skeoch
• #4 - Kris Myllari
• #8 - Jake Kearley
  
• #20 - Ben Carroll
• #23 - Nick Albano
• #24 - Nolan Kneen
• #25 - Phil Beaulieu
  

Forwards

• #9 - Josh Winquist
• #10 - Jackson Leppard
• #11 - Branden Troock
• #13 - Chad Costello
• #16 - Corey Durocher
  
• #17 - Chad Butcher
  
• #19 - Jared Bethune
• #21 - Jack Combs
• #26 - Spencer Asuchak
• #28 - Justin Young
  
• #29 - Colby McAuley 

- The three players on the playoff roster that did not make the trip to Rapid City are J.D. Dudek, Ryan Lohin and Eric Roy. It is hoped all three will be available when the series returns to Allen, if not by Tuesdays, by the games next Friday and Saturday.

 

- Comparing regular season stats is of limited use because both of these teams are very different from the teams they were back in October. If you recall, the first game Allen played in Rapid City this season (November 17) as part of a three game series, the Americans played with the minimum allowed 13 skaters because of a COVID breakout and injuries. Steve Martinson wasn't on the trip because he had COVID. Here is what I wrote about that game at the time:

 

In a script Hollywood would reject as unrealistic, the Allen Americans, against all odds, beat the Rapid City Rush in a shootout last night by a score of 6-5. Here are the characters in this unlikely script. The story opens with the team heading on the road, nursing a four game losing streak. Just before the team is scheduled to fly to South Dakota the coach and four players test positive for COVID. The coach, while dealing with COVID, scrambles to find players so the team has enough to play the game. He trades for two players from a US based team but the team is on a road trip on Canada. The two new players have plenty of time to meet the team in South Dakota but get delayed in a line of 500+ at the Montreal airport getting COVID tests to get back into the US and don't arrive in time to play. 

- The team plays the game with an injured player as the bench coach. The roster is 13 skaters and just seven forwards rather than the typical 16 skaters and 10 forwards. Of the 13 skaters one is playing their first game with the team and another (a defenseman) is playing his first game in 248 days. For extra drama let's have the defenseman score a goal and have an assist. For good measure the goalie will be playing his second game for the team after a long career in the AHL. 

- The story line continues as this shorthanded team gives up yet another shorthanded goal, the league leading seventh they have allowed in 10 games. The team gives up the first goal of the game but battles back time and time again. They come back after trailing 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 4-3 and 5-3 to tie the score and send the game to overtime. Just what a shorthanded team needs is to play an extra seven minutes after working their tails off for 60 minutes. The team gets outplayed in overtime and out shot 9-3 but the AHL goalie stands on his head stopping one quality scoring chance after another. The game goes to a shootout.

- The story ends with the only shootout goal being scored by a future Hall all of Fame player who has returned to the team after four years in Europe and coming back from a serious injury. And the AHL goalie stops all three shootout attempts.

- There you have it, a script to good to be true but one that played out in Rapid City last night.  A great win for the Americans who turned lemons into lemonade. Who played the roles in this script. Jack Combs was great as the injured player who became the bench coach. Nolan Kneen starred as the defenseman coming back from a serious injury to tally a goal and an assist in his first game since last March 14. Antoine Bibeau played the AHL goalie that helped steal the game. Allen was out shot 45-23 for the game, 19-5 in the second period and 9-3 in overtime. When the game was on the line in overtime and in the shootout, Bibeau was outstanding. And the perfect ending had to be played by Chad Costello who has been the team hero ever since he arrived in Allen in 2014-15. 

- Every player on the team deserves acknowledgement starting with the goal scorers; D-Jay Jerome (4), Jared Bethune (2), Nolan Kneen (1), Spencer Asuchak (3) and Jackson Leppard (2). D-Jay Jerome had two assist to go with his goal and is now tied with Spencer Asuchak for the team lead in points with 10. Gavin Gould, playing his first game with the American, had two assists. 

 

- With all of the caveats here is a comparison between Allen and Rapid City based on regular season stats:

• Goals Scored (average per game)
• 3.35 - Rapid City
• 3.33 - Allen

 

• Goals Allowed (average per game)
• 3.22 - Rapid City
• 3.39 - Allen

• Goal Differential (goals scored minus goals allowed)
• +9 - Rapid City
• -4 - Allen

• Shots For (average per game)
• 32.56 - Rapid City
• 28.22 - Allen

• Shots Against (average per game)
• 33.49 - Rapid City
• 35.31 - Allen

• Shooting Percentage (goals as a percent of total shots)
• 11.7% - Allen
• 10.3% - Rapid City

• Power Play Percentage
• 19.6% - Rapid City
• 18.5% - Allen

• Penalty Kill Percentage
• 85.1% - Rapid City  
• 80.4% - Allen

• Power Play Goals Scored
• 53 - Rapid City 
• 50 - Allen

• Plus/Minus
• -14 - Rapid City
• -25 - Allen

 

• Goals Against Average (GAA)
• 3.11 - Rapid City
• 3.33 - Allen

• Save Percentage
• .906 - Rapid City
• .904 - Allen 

• Record Last 10 Games
• 6-3-1-0 - Allen
• 4-4-2-0 - Rapid City

 

- Of the 13 stats on this list Rapid City leads in 11 of them. However, the two exceptions are critical. Allen has a better record over the last 10 games and the Americans have a better shooting percentage. Allen does a better job capitalizing on opportunities, they just need to create more of them in this series. 

- Allen's record since the beginning of March is 14-6-2-0 which is a points percentage of .682. Rapid City's record since the beginning of March is 9-5-2-2 which is a points percentage of .611. 

- Allen's special teams has also been much improved since the beginning of March. The power play is at 20.3% and the penalty kill was at 87.5% before the last game of the season when it allowed three power play goals to Iowa.

 

- The keys to the game tonight and the series are no different than what Steve Martinson has been saying over the last month.

• Be ready to play and get off to a good start. Don't play from behind.
  
• Reduce turnovers, especially in the neutral zone which will create more opportunities for Allen and reduce shots for Rapid City.
• Stay on the defensive side of the puck and play with the same energy on defense as offense.
• Stay away from undisciplined penalties that give Rapid City power play opportunities.

 

- I have heard Steve Martinson says this many times over the years when the playoffs begin. We don't need players to do anymore than do their best. Players trying to do too much just create problems and are not smart players. We just need players to play up to their ability. 

 

 

- Nolan Kneen will not be in the lineup tonight as he will be serving the one game suspension he was given in the last regular season game against Iowa. 

 

 

- Luke Peressini will get the start in goal. Luke's save percentage in the 27 games he has played in Allen is .919. His overall save percentage is .915 (he played one game for Worcester). The league high in save percentage is .919.

 

 

 

OTHER COMMENTS

 

- How important is the game tonight? Historically, a team that wins game one at home in a best of seven series will win the series 75% of the time. 

 

 

- All 16 playoff teams will be in action tonight. Two series have already started. Reading, the #1 seed in the North Division has a 1-0 lead over #4 seed Maine. In the South Division the #3 seed Jacksonville has taken a 1-0 lead against #2 seed Atlanta. Here is the ECHL Today with a preview of all eight games on the schedule today. https://www.echl.com/en/news/2022/4/echl-today-april-22 

 

 

 

- How strange is it to not have Idaho in the playoff? Saw this posted by my friend C.C. Hawkley who used to cover Idaho when we worked together at "The Sin Bin" back in the day. "Feels weird without the Idaho Steelheads in the playoffs. That is because it is the first time since the franchise started in 1997-98 (WCHL) that Idaho has missed the post season. Super impressive." I agree with Hawkley, it was quite a run for the Steelheads. It has been a difficult couple of years for Idaho fans with the Steelheads not playing last season and missing the playoffs for the first time ever this season.  

- Toledo won the Brabham Cup as the regular season champion and now must try to overcome the curse that goes with being the best team in the regular season. Toledo knows the curse well as the Walleye won the Brabham Cup in 2014-15 and 2016-17. Toledo lost in the Conference Finals in 2015 and 2017. The last Brabham Cup winner that went on to win the Kelly Cup was Alaska in 2014. 

 

DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL Stats post today is about goalies used by each ECHL teams. Allen used six different goalies during the regular season.

ECHL teams played a record 138 goalies this season ranging from 4-11 per team. Some of the most successful teams in the league had to use a lot of different goalies because of loans, call-ups, injuries and illness. Here are the ECHL teams that used the most goalies (played at least one game, doesn’t include EBUGs):

 

11 - Fort Wayne*

11 - Orlando

10 - Newfoundland*

9 - Reading*

8 - Rapid City*

8 - Cincinnati*

8 - Wheeling*

 

*In playoffs

Comparing the Allen vs Rapid City Rosters, Meet "Big Blue, Introducing Allen Americans President - Jonny Mydra and More

 

I will have a complete series preview tomorrow but wanted to highlight a few comparisons between Allen's and Rapid City's playoff rosters (active and reserve combined): 

• Allen has four veterans (Asuchak, Combs, Costello, Winquist), Rapid City has two (Klotz, Nelson).
•  Allen has seven rookies (includes both goalies), Rapid City has 12 rookies.
• Allen has two NHL/AHL contracted players (Marotte, Lohin), Rapid City also has two and they are both goalies (Parik, Tendeck).
• There are only eight players on the playoff roster that played in Allen's first game against Rapid City back in November. 
• Allen has 682 games of AHL experience on its roster, Rapid City has 247.
• Allen clearly has more playoff experience than Rapid City going into this series. Seven players on the Allen roster have playoff experience with the Americans. Allen's #1 and #2 all time leaders in playoff games are Spencer Asuchak, with three championships and 73 playoff games as an Allen American and Chad Costello, who is right behind Spencer with two Kelly Cups and 60 playoff games.
  
• Rapid City hasn't made the ECHL playoffs since 2015.
  

 

- This series is one of a more experienced team in Allen, with players that have been top scorers on their ECHL teams in the past, against a Rapid City team that has fewer high profile players, but have been successful by outworking opponents. Rapid City's leading scorer (60 points) played in the SPHL last season. The Rush's leading goal scorer (27 goals) played in the Federal League and SPHL last season. Two other Rapid City players had seven goals last season and 20+ goals this season. The Rush roster is filled with players having career years. Rapid City has earned everything it has accomplished through determination and hard work. The key to this series will be can Allen match Rapid City's determination and hard work.   

 

- The history of the Allen Americans bus "Big Red" which was old (1997 era) when the team purchased it at the beginning of the franchise, is legendary. As much as "Big Red" was the subject of ridicule the fact of the matter was the players and coaches really liked the set up on the bus. The problem was "Big Red" became more and more unreliable as the years past with mechanical breakdowns ranging from engine issues to brake problems to no air conditioning to ventilation issues with engine fumes. The trips through the Rocky Mountains the last few years became nightmares. When Jack Gulati purchased the Allen Americans in 2017, from the Steven Brothers, "Big Red" was not part of the deal. "Big Red" toiled between Wichita and Tulsa (the other Steven Brothers franchises) for a couple of years and was finally scrapped for parts.

 

- Why do I bring up "Big Red"? Because its younger brother, "Big Blue" is chauffeuring the Allen Americans to Rapid City. "Big Blue" is much younger, born in 1999 and has recently had a heart transplant in the form of a new engine, less then 125,000 miles ago. When you consider "Big Red" was pushing 2,000,000 miles when it died, "Big Blue" isn't even broken in yet. I took a tour of  "Big Blue" yesterday and it is set up exactly like "Big Red", but it has been refurbished and is it top notch shape. Maybe "Big Blue" can recapture the magic of "Big Red" when Allen went all over the country winning championships. Maybe the best thing about" Big Blue" is Allen doesn't own it. However, if you loved "Big Red" you will really love "Big Blue".  

"Big Red"

 

Big Red's Brother - "Big Blue"

- I had a chance to meet the new Allen Americans President, Jonny Mydra, over lunch yesterday. Jonny was the Vice President of Ticketing for the Americans prior to his selection as team President. A fellow Minnesotan, Jonny is from the same hometown (Minnetonka) as Steve Martinson. We are both graduates of the the University of Minnesota though I was a few decades before Jonny. 

 Jonny graduated from the famous Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota and went on to get his Masters Degree is Sports Management from Columbia University. He started his career in sports management as an intern with the Minnesota Viking, but his first full time job was with the Oakland Raiders where a spent almost six years in increasingly responsible positions. When the Raiders were making the move to Las Vegas, Jonny, along with his long time girlfriend, Claire, decided they didn't want to live in Las Vegas. He took a job with the New York Jets and through a friend in that organization learned of a job in the ECHL which had more responsibilities and the opportunity to broaden his horizons. He opted not take that job (because of location) but shortly thereafter the Allen opportunity arose. He was selected as the Vice President of Ticketing just over a year ago. 

As I understand it, there will be a brighter line than before between the President's responsibilities and the on ice operations. Anything related to on ice operations will be handled by Steve Martinson working with the Director of Finance. 

What I got from the conversation over lunch with Jonny is the Americans have a young executive with the education and experience to be a success. He knows what he knows but just as important he knows what he doesn't know. He is customer focused and has a business plan that will help the Americans succeed by improving the experience for all fans. Sure there will be bumps in the road, but Jonny strikes me a a true problem solver.

On a personal note, Jonny and Claire live in Dallas but are looking to move to the Allen area very soon. They like going to the many restaurants in the DFW metroplex and Jonny enjoys golf in his spare time.  

If you see Jonny Mydra on the concourse next week at the playoff games, make sure to introduce your self and wish him good luck.  

 

Jonny Mydra

        

DID YOU KNOW: It is always nice to recognize long term ECHL players when they retire. It is a tough grind and you know these players are playing for the love of the sport.

Congrats and stick taps to long time ECHL defenseman Eric Kattelus who has officially announced his retirement from professional hockey. Eric played 11 ECHL seasons, his first with Cincinnati and then 10 with Kalamazoo. Since joining the ECHL in 2010-11, Kattelus is #2 in points (304), #2 in goals (83), #2 in assists (221) and #5 in games played (467) among all ECHL defensemen.

More Playoff Details, Who Has NHL/AHL Contract Players, Why is Allen Bussing, ECHL Attendance, Former Allen Players on Playoff Rosters and More

 

There were few surprises on the Allen Americans playoff roster when it was officially released. If you haven't seen the playoff roster here it is:

Frank Marotte, G; Luke Peressini, G; Nick Albano, D; Ben Carroll, D; Kris Myllari, D; Darian Skeoch, D; Nolan Kneen, D; Jake Kearley, D; Corey Durocher, F; Chad Butcher, F; Josh Winquist, F; Branden Troock, F; Justin Young, F; Colby McAuley, F; Spencer Asuchak, F; Jack Combs, F; Jackson Leppard, F; Chad Costello, F; Jared Bethune, F
 
Reserve List - Ryan Lohin, F; Philip Beaulieu, D; Eric Roy, D; J.D. Dudek, F
Playoff Eligible List -Antoine Bibeau G

• There are only 19 players on the active roster rather than the 20 allowed. That is because the players on the active roster must fit under the salary cap. Allen can't fit 20 players under the salary cap. 
• The four players on the reserve have been out because of illness/injury. There is no limitation on moving players from active to reserve. With that said, I think it is doubtful Lohin, Roy or Dudek make the trip to Rapid City.
  
• Goalie Antoine Bibeau is the only player on the Charlotte Checkers roster eligible to be assigned to Allen. I would see this as more of an insurance policy at this point in case of an injury to Peressini or Marotte. Bibeau last played on March 20 and has played in only five games for Charlotte, mostly in relief, since last December. 

 

 

- While Allen will be missing some key players for the trip to Rapid City it is likely, barring more injuries this weekend, the Americans could have the entire playoff roster available when the teams return to Allen for games three, four and five.

 

- One question I always get at playoff time is how many NHL/AHL contracted players are on each team. Here are the numbers for the Mountain Division. Players on the playoff eligible list are currently in the AHL but could be assigned later in the playoffs.

• Utah - eight on the active roster, one on reserve and one on the playoff eligible list.
• Rapid City - one on the active roster and one on reserve.
• Allen - one on the active roster (Marotte), one on reserve (Lohin) and one on the playoff eligible list (Bibeau).
• Tulsa - three on the active roster, one on playoff eligible list.

- I had a couple of questions asking why the Americans are taking a bus to Rapid City rather than flying. The simple answer is because it is cheaper. Allen did fly to Rapid City earlier in the season (November) when airfares were cheaper and there was time to plan ahead. Bussing may turn out to be a good luck charm. If you remember, the Americans took "Big Red" to South Carolina in the finals of the 2015 Kelly Cup playoffs on the way to the championship. I heard the sleeper bus Allen is taking to Rapid City is a replica of "Big Red" with two differences. It is a different color and in top notch shape.

 

 

- There are a lot of former Allen Americans players on Kelly Cup playoff rosters. 11 of 15 teams have at least one former Allen player on the playoff roster Here is the list. If not indicated otherwise the  player is on the active roster:

• Atlanta - Dalton Thrower, Josh Thrower, Kameron Kielly (reserve)
• Cincinnati - Josh Burnside (reserve), Nick Boka (playoff eligible)
• Florida - Kyle Neuber (reserve)
• Fort Wayne - Zach Pochiro
• Greenville - Corbin Baldwin
• Maine - Jeremy Brodeur, Conner Bleackley
• Rapid City - Garrett Klotz (reserve)
• Reading - Hayden Hawkey, Dominic Cormier
• Toledo - Cole Fraser, Jesse Mychan
• Trois-Riviéres - Olivier Archambault (reserve)
• Tulsa - Duggie Lagrone, Jackson Leef, Joe Garreffa, Tyler Poulsen (reserve)

 

 

- The Kelly Cup playoffs get underway tonight with one game on the schedule in the North Division. The #1 team (Reading) is at home to take on #4 Maine. This series may be more competitive than it might appear given Reading had the second best winning percentage in the league (.697) while Maine finished #18 at .514. Head to head Maine was 3-2-1-0 against Reading this season. 

 

- Have seen some comments about the Allen attendance this season compared to the past. There always seems to be some dispute on what numbers have been reported over time. All I can go by is the official attendance reports from the ECHL. Allen finished the regular season with an average attendance of 3220 which was ranked #18 in the ECHL. Here is Allen's average attendance for each season in franchise history:

• 3220: 2021-22
• 1859: 2020-21 (COVID restricted)
• 4001: 2019-20 (shortened season)
• 4073: 2018-19
• 4082: 2017-18
• 4340: 2016-17
• 4571: 2015-16*
• 4096: 2014-15*
  
• 4216: 2013-14*
• 4157: 2012-13*
• 4336: 2011-12
• 3986: 2010-11
• 3810: 2009-10

*won championship

 

DID YOU KNOW: The top six ECHL teams in average attendance, ranging from 7358 to 5212 made the playoffs and four of the bottom six ECHL teams in attendance, ranging from 2151 to 1681 made the playoffs.

 

Toledo, #1 in average attendance made the playoffs.

Wheeling, #27 in average attendance made the playoffs.

 

Here is the average attendance for the 16 teams in the Kelly Cup playoffs:

7358 - Toledo

6838 - Fort Wayne

6405 - Jacksonville

5834 - Tulsa

5327 - Florida

5212 - Cincinnati

4249 - Utah

3780 - Atlanta

3361 - Rapid City

3220 - Allen

3151 - Reading

3088 - Greenville

2851 - Maine

2658 - Trois-Rivières

2049 - Newfoundland

1681 - Wheeling