The Allen Americans had a day of rest in Kansas City yesterday while the Mavericks traveled to Wichita and lost to the Thunder 7-1. Will that work to Allen's advantage in the game against Kansas City this afternoon (4:05 pm CST)?
- Allen will be playing shorthanded this afternoon for sure. The question is how short? Best case the Americans will be short two players. Allen only had 16 skaters on the trip so played one short in Wichita on Friday. Zach Pochiro was suspended two games for an illegal check to the head in the game on Friday so that will reduce the number of skaters to 15. The unknown is will any of the several players that were injured in Wichita have to sit out today. My guess in one or two players will not be available so the Americans will have to play the game this afternoon with 13 or 14 skaters.
- The game today will be the fourth of the season between Allen and Kansas City. After today they will play only two more times this season both in Allen. They will play again on Wednesday and the final time on April 12.
- In the three previous meetings between these teams, all this month, the visiting team won:
January 3 in Kansas City - It took a Hank Crone overtime goal to give Allen a 3-2 win. It was the game that Colton Hargrove took charge and has been on a tear ever since. Hargrove had 11 of the Americans 27 shots and had both of Allen's goals in regulation.
January 6 in Kansas City - Allen scored the only goal in the first period (Jack Combs) and second period (Ryan Gagnon) to lead the Americans to a 2-1 win. The star of the game was Luke Peressini. Allen was out shot 37-27 with Peressini making numerous great saves. His save percentage in that game was .973.
January 8 in Allen - This was the game where Allen had to played three games in three state in three days. They played in Tulsa on Saturday night and had to travel back to Allen to play Kansas City Sunday afternoon at 2:05. Meanwhile Kansas City did not play on Saturday and was in Allen resting while waiting for the Sunday game. Allen got blown out 8-1 in the game while giving up 48 shots.
- If you look at season totals Kansas City has a slight edge in average goals scored (3.3 vs 2.9) and average goals allowed (3.4 vs 3.7). Allen has a slight edge in power play percentage (19.6% vs 18.8%) and penalty kill percentage (81,3% vs 81.1%). In the three head to head games Allen was 1-9 (11.1%) on the power play and Kansas City was 2-9 (22.2%).
- Special teams is always one of the keys to the game but it will be even more important in the game this afternoon. With Allen playing shorthanded staying out of the penalty box will be critical.
- Scoring first is typically a good indicator of which team will win the game but not so much with the Americans and Mavericks. In the three head to head games the team that scored first lost twice. If you look at season long data both teams are under the league wide average for winning when scoring first. Allen has scored first in 16 of its 35 games and has a record of 10-5-1-0. Kansas City has scored first in 18 of its 34 games with a record 8-6-4-0.
- One of the three games between Allen and Kansas City went to overtime which Allen won. Season totals give Allen a big advantage if the game tonight goes extra time. Allen is 2-1 in overtimes and 1-0 in shootouts. Kansas city is 2-5 in overtimes and has not been in a shootout this season.
- If you look at recent performances both teams have played well though both lost their last game and Kansas City has lost two straight. Allen is 6-4-0-0 in the last 10 games, has won three of the last four games, five of the last eight and seven of the last 12 games. Kansas City is 5-3-2-0 in the last 10 games, has won three of the last five, five of the last nine and seven of the last 12 games.
- Allen has four players averaging a point per game. Hank Crone (1.31), Jack Combs 1.20), Liam Finlay (1.08) and Colton Hargrove (1.00). In the three games against Kansas City, Crone has five points, Hargrove four points and Combs four points. The Kansas City player that has done the most damage against Allen is #19, Hugo Roy who has seven points (3G, 4A) in three games.
OTHER COMMENTS
- With a single loss on Friday and being idle last night the Americans find themselves back in last place (both points and points percentage ) in the Mountain Division. The only other division game today has Utah at Tulsa finishing up a three games series. The teams split the first two games.
- Allen is #2 in the ECHL in average penalty minutes per game. Here is a stat I haven't computed before. Allen is one of 28 ECHL teams which is 3.6% of the teams. Here is the Allen percentage of total ECHL penalty minutes and each category of penalties. It is no surprise Allen gets more than its fair share in every category.
- 4.4% - Penalty minutes
- 4.2% - Minor penalties
- 3.9% - Major penalties
- 5.8% - 10 minute misconduct penalties
- 4.9% - Game misconducts
- 14.3% - Match penalties
- It is a heavy schedule for a Sunday with 11 ECHL games on tap. Here is the ECHL Today with the previews: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2023/1/echl-today-jan-22
Penalty wise they are a little above 3.6% but the last 3 are tough to have.
ReplyDelete5.8% - 10 minute misconduct penalties
4.9% - Game misconducts
14.3% - Match penalties
Blowing a 4-0 lead.....LMMFAO.....
ReplyDeleteThe 4-0 lead was censored like 14-15 earlier comments here today. But…..boys score 5 and bring home a much needed win. Some good stuff in the game. And best part is getting under the skin of Tad Ohad of KC. Love seeing him get so flustered.
ReplyDeleteNo one censored anything fool - keep lying - you will be an awesome future owner
DeleteThe Stevens Brothers need a blogger - give it a try since Homer barry is busy
DeleteMEMPHIS DAVE