The crow eating blogger has returned from a cruise to Spain and Portugal just in time for the Allen Americans first round homes games against Kansas City. I was able to follow the team throughout the cruise and was struck by how the team took a 2-1 series lead playing three games in Kansas City. During the last part of the regular season, when Allen was averaging five goals per game, coach Costello often talked about his desire to see how the team can play in low scoring defensive games they would encounter during the playoffs.
The Americans certainly answered that question in Kansas City. Three games, all one goal games with the losing team managing no more than two goals. Goal totals for the three games was Allen six and Kansas City five. Allen came away with two big road wins (3-2 and 1-0).
- The best example of how this first round series has been different than the high scoring regular season is goals for and against. Allen is ranked 12th of 16 playoff teams in goals scored (2.00). During the regular season Allen was ranked #8 of 28 teams scoring an average of 3.61 goals per game. For a long stretch (since February) the Americans averaged five goals per game. The Americans currently rank second of 16 playoff teams in goals allowed (1.63). During the regular season Allen was ranked #23 giving up an average of 3.65 goals per game. To me it says a lot about this team doing what it takes to win in the playoffs even if it means less offense and more defense. Allen's leading scorer in the playoffs is tied for #25 in the league in playoff scoring. Allen had three of the top six scorers in the regular season. I am sure you will see more offense as the playoff progresses, but this team is turning out to be something special in putting team above personal achievements.
- Allen has turned a big home ice disadvantage of playing its first three games on the road into a big advantage for the rest of the series. With a 2-1 lead the Americans will be at home for the remainder of the series. Allen needs two wins from the games on Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday. Kansas City must win three of four games in Allen, a tall task.
- Relative to the other teams in the Mountain Division, Allen was the second-best road team behind Idaho but ranked fifth in the division at home. Allen's regular season home record was 18-15-2-1 (.542). Kansas City was ranked fifth in the division on the road with a record of 13-22-0-1 (.375).
- Road teams have fared well thus far in the Kelly Cup playoffs as evidenced by Allen's 2-1 road record. There have been 26 games played thus far in the first round of the playoffs and road teams have a record of 12-14. Road teams have actually outscored home teams 78-73.
- Some other league wide playoff stats:
- 23% of the games thus far have gone to overtime (6 of 26).
- One game (Greenville at Jacksonville) went two overtimes.
- 38% of the games thus far were one goal games (10 of 26).
- In the two Mountain Division series (six total games) no team has scored more than three goals and the losers in the six games had a total of eight goals (1.33 goals per game).
- Like Allen, Newfoundland had to play its first three games of the opening round series on the road despite being the #1 seed. Newfoundland lost game one in Adirondack 5-3 before winning the next two games 8-4 and 7-1. The Growlers lead the playoffs averaging six goals per game.
- Mountain Division #1 seed Idaho beat #4 seed Utah last night in overtime but still trail in the series 2-1. The next two games are in Utah.
- South Division #1 seed South Carolina lost on the road last night in overtime to #4 seed Florida. South Carolina trails 2-1 in the series. The next two games are in Florida.
- The only series that could be a sweep is Central division #2 seed Toledo vs #3 seed Indy. Toledo leads the series 3-0. Toledo is ranked #2 in the playoffs in average goals scored (4.00) and #1 in goals allowed (1.33).
- There have been two hat tricks thus far in the playoffs. Both took place on Tuesday.
- Carter Johnson, Maine (7-3 win over Reading)
- Derek Lodermeier, Jacksonville (7-4 win over Greenville)
- There have been five shutouts thus far in the playoffs:
- Trent Miner, Utah (43 saves in 3-0 win over Idaho)
- Cam Johnson, Florida (35 saves in 5-0 win over South Carolina)
- Clay Stevenson, South Carolina, (27 saves in 4-0 win over Florida)
- Kevin Mandolese, Allen (27 saves in 1-0 win over Kansas City)
- Ryan Fanti, Fort Wayne (35 saves in 3-0 win over Cincinnati)
- There are two games on the schedule tonight. Adirondack is at Newfoundland and Toledo is at Indy with a chance to advance to the second round of the playoffs. Here is the ECHL Today with the previews: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2023/4/echl-today-april-27
- I will have a complete preview tomorrow for the upcoming home games against Kansas City. Here is the Americans regular season record against Kansas City. Allen's regular season record against the Mavericks was 4-2-0-0. The Americans were 3-0 in Kansas City and 1-2 in Allen.
Welcome back! Glad to have you.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, I hope you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteI sure missed your blog and am glad you’re back. 🙂
- Amy
Hope you had a good trip but glad you are home... I have felt lost the last couple of weeks!
ReplyDeleteMissed you
ReplyDelete