It is not the time of the season for moral victories so Allen's 6-4 loss in Idaho last night was painful even if it proved the Americans can hang with the best team in the ECHL in many years. The game wasn't decided until Idaho scored an empty net goal with 16 second remaining in the game.
- There were many bright spots for Allen in the game:
- Allen scored the first goal of the game (Jack Combs).
- Allen scored a shorthanded goal (Liam Finlay).
- Allen had leads in the game of 1-0, 2-1 and 4-3.
- Allen won the special teams battle going 1-3 on the power play plus the shorty.
- Allen outshot Idaho in the second period (11-6) and third period (12-10).
- Allen had two possible goals disallowed after referee review.
- With the good there was also some not so good:
- After scoring the first goal Allen gave Idaho three straight power plays in the first period.
- Idaho outshot Allen 16-8 in the first period.
- Allen gave up late period goals in all three periods. Idaho scored with 61 seconds left in the first period, 83 seconds left in the second period and the game winner at the 17:39 mark of the third period.
- Allen gave up six goals in the game. In Allen's last six losses the Americans have given up 6, 5, 8, 6, 8 and 7 goals. In addition, in two of Allen's last four wins it has allowed five goals.
- The goal scorers for Allen were Jack Combs (31), Liam Finlay (28), Aidan Brown (13) and Colton Hargrove (33). Finlay also had two assists. Here are the video highlights with all of the goals. Two former Allen Americans played key roles. Zane Franklin scored Idaho's third goal and Matt Register set up the fourth goal. https://www.echl.com/en/video/2023/3/allen-americans-vs-idaho-steelheads---mar-10-2023-LdIpRnXZ
- Here is the game recap issued by the Idaho Steelheads with all of the details about the game: https://www.idahosteelheads.com/en/articles/steelheads-become-mountain-division-champions-with-6-4-victory-over-allen
- Here is the game recap issued by the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/game-recap-americans-lose-tight-battle/
- Hank Crone's eight game goal scoring streak was snapped last night but all the other streaks were extended:
- Jack Combs has an assist in nine straight games.
- Jack Combs has a point in 20 straight games.
- Jack Combs has an assist in nine straight road games.
- Colton Hargrove has a goal in five straight road games.
- Hank Crone has a point in 16 straight road games.
- Colton Hargrove has a point in 15 straight road games.
CHAD COSTELLO COACH'S COMMENTS
"We played hard enough to win, but we need to play smarter."
"Idaho is obviously a good team. We know we can play with them. The key now is to prove we can beat them."
"We had three or four obvious missed calls that went against us. And it really cost us. We need to overcome bad calls, but it would have been nice to see the right calls made."
"It takes everyone playing well to beat a team as good as Idaho. I love this match up for us. It is an opportunity to learn and see exactly what it is going to take to be successful."
"The lineup will be the same tomorrow (Saturday) other than Luke Peressini will get the start in goal."
REMATCH PREVIEW
- The typical keys to the game like scoring first, a good start, shot totals and special teams are all important tonight, but the primary key to beat Idaho is better team defense. You can't expect to beat a team as talented as Idaho giving up five or six goals. If the Americans can't do a better job at the defensive end of the ice it will be a long night. Goals allowed per game is the big difference between these teams. Idaho is #1 (2.18) and Allen is #22 (3.75). Allen is not going to be able to outscore bad defense against Idaho. That approach works against many teams, but is fool's gold against a team like the Steelheads.
- Consistency has been an issue for Allen all season and it was the case last night. Four of Idaho's six goals last night were scored in a total of 4:45 at the end of the periods. Those goals at the end of periods are real momentum changers. If you eliminate the lapses in just five minutes (total) at the end of the three periods the Americans win the game 4-2.
- Allen proved last night it can play with Idaho. A few tweaks for tonight and with everyone pulling on the defensive rope the Americans can come out on top.
- Here is the lineup for tonight
- Crone-Hargrove-McAuley
- Combs-Hebert-Finlay
- Fournier-Brown-Robidoux
- Young
- Myllari-Saucerman
- Skelly-Massicotte
- Gally-Gagnon
- Peressini
- Perry (backup)
OTHER COMMENTS
- Colton Hargrove's goal last night keeps alive his goal per game average. Since December 31, Hargrove has 29 goals in 29 games, and he is now #2 in the ECHL in goals scored with 33. He trails teammate Hank Crone who leads the league with 36 goals.
-So much for getting ready for low scoring and tight checking playoff hockey. The odd stat of the day is six games in the ECHL last night, including the Americans, had a final score of 6-4.
- Former Allen Americans defenseman and ECHL Defenseman of the Year in 2021 when he had 64 points (26G, 38A) just set the all-time single season record for points by a defenseman for his team. Lancaster plays for Ilves in the top league in Finland (Liiga). He is the second leading scorer on the team with 47 points (13G, 34A) in 59 games. Les is the leading scorer in the league among defensemen and he is fifth overall in points. Ilves is in second place in the 15-team league.
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| Les Lancaster |
- Here is a story about another former Allen Americans player. Vincent Arseneau was a fan favorite in Allen on both Kelly Cup championship teams, and he is still a fan favorite after spending the last six seasons in the AHL. This story was written by Laura Kirk and Arseneau talks about his role on the Abbotsford Canuck's and how that role has changed over time. A great read for Arseneau fans or anyone that wants to read about an Allen player that could hit like a truck, score critical goals and drop the gloves. He played 86 games in Allen, had 68 points (24G, 34A). and 194 penalty minutes: https://abbotsford.canucks.com/news/behind-the-bench-the-defender-of-arseneau-s-house
- Allen got some help last night to soften the consequences of the loss to Idaho. The two teams ahead of Allen in the standings (Wichita and Kansas City) both lost. The two teams right behind Allen in the standings (Utah and Rapid City) both won. With just three weeks remaining in the regular season the standings have tightened up even further. Idaho at the top and Tulsa at the bottom are determined, but the other five teams continue to fight for three playoff spots. Here are the current standings by points with points percentage and games remaining in parenthesis:
- 91 points - Idaho (.813, 16 games)
- 59 points - Kansas City (.527, 16 games))
- 59 points - Wichita (.509, 14 games)
- 57 points - Allen (.518, 17 games)
- 55 points - Utah (.500, 17 games)
- 51 points - Rapid City (.455, 16 games)
- 46 points - Tulsa (.418, 17 games)
- If you believe home games are an advantage, especially in the last three weeks of the season, here are the number of remaining home games for the five teams fighting for the playoffs.
- 12 - Utah
- 11 - Allen
- 10 - Rapid City
- 6 - Kansas City
- 5 - Wichita
- There are 12 games on the ECHL schedule today and many of them have playoff implications. Here are the previews: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2023/3/echl-today-march-11
- Toledo clinched a playoff spot winning its 15th straight game last night. Toledo is now #4 all-time for consecutive wins. The three teams left for the Walleye to pass:
- 23 games: South Carolina (2015)
- 17 games: Colorado (2017)
- 17 games: Cincinnati (2008)
- 15 games: Toledo (2023)
If we were going to at least split the series, last night was the night to do it. We had a shorty by Finlay and a weird goalie error that set up the Finlay to Brown goal. Without those two anomalies, this game would have been one sided. I actually thought a lot of bounces went our way, hence the close score.
ReplyDeleteOur guys came out tough and didn’t back down, have to be proud of that. The Fournier vs Franklin fight was hilarious and you gotta love Franklin for having the balls to even try to climb that mountain. Miss that guy.
We have a high flying, scoring team. We need to accept it. Not saying we can’t play better team D, just saying this is who we are this year. To win tonight, we need 6 goals or something like that, and some breaks. Idaho is very crisp when they control the puck in their scoring zone. Pretty impressive. Not being negative just tipping the cap. Our boys seem to love this challenge though, so maybe we can pull one out.
Barry,
Is there some league rule that prevents the teams from showing the overhead goal camera on replays? Every team has one, obviously that’s what the refs are looking at on the tablet. Why won’t they show us? Not just talking about Idaho. Allen home games probably have the worst replays. I’m there for every home game, watch every road game on flo, and plenty of road games every year in person. Its frustrating. Thought you might have some insight.
-Bobby 226
Tough game to lose . . . Allen looked good most of the game. Tonight should be another good one.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with our team is that it's constructed to play like our head coach. All GO...no STAY. We are not going to win a championship or advance far in the playoffs by being 6th in goals scored and 22nd in goals against. Fun hockey IS fun to watch, but what good is pumping our chest at the end of the season with the top 3 point guys if we can't win in the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteAnd let's please stop blaming the refs or say they are against Allen. Throughout the course of a 72 gm season there are going to be games that refs call a game in our favor and games it appears the refs are not in our favor.
100% with you on the ref thing. Well said. People that blame the refs should become Wichita fans.
DeleteI’m on the fence with the scoring stuff though, for this year. I’ve kind of changed my opinion from earlier in the year. In other sports you see teams that are balanced, teams that score a bunch and teams that are heavy defense. Same in hockey.
I’m not saying it’s the best recipe for a championship but we can score a lot consistently. That was my biggest criticism earlier in the year with the high flying approach. Because we couldn’t score a bunch of goals consistently. But it seems like we can score a bunch of goals consistently now. And considering how late in the season it is, maybe, and this is a big maybe, we should embrace it. Again, I’m not saying that we can’t play better team defense, I’m just saying, maybe this is who we are this year. I have a hard time believing that Costello literally does not want a more balanced team. So maybe he has a plan for the next few years to build on this. Just a thought and again I’m not even convinced 100% of what I’m saying, like I said, I’m on the fence. -Bobby 226
Bobby, you are 100% correct. Quit blaming the defensemen. This team is constructed as a run and gun team. Fun to watch if you like scoring. If you want to win1-0 this ain’t the team: watch Idaho. They attack and defend as a 5 man unit, I personally like that style. Hoping the boys pull it out tonight and at least make it to a second round playoff matchup with Idaho.
ReplyDeleteWithout a strong affiliation deal we are only left with a run and gun team. In the past we've always been able to get 1 or 2 sold DMEN sent our way, but that plan was doomed the moment we signed with Ottawa.
ReplyDeleteBut this is to be expected with a newbie running our hockey operations department.
Picks to Click
ReplyDeleteBobby 226— Idaho 6-5 Register
Booooo on me. Hope I’m wrong
Syd the Beastmaster—
Allen 5-3 The Beard
Carlie—Allen 5-4 OT. Perresinni
Yo Mama— Allen 5-3 Gally
Sammy the dog— Allen 5-2 Combs
Amanda “The Texas Blood Shovel” Snowman—
Delete—Allen 5-3 Hargrove
The One and only Mr. John “The Bossman” Snowman—
—Allen 6-4 Finlay
Good luck to us all
-Bobby 226
Tommy is the worst by far!!! Talks about everything but hockey. I have to listen to the other announcers just to see who has the puck on the Allen team. Sad
ReplyDelete