It was the best of times and the worst of times, all in a span of 24 hours. Welcome to Allen Americans playoff hockey. Friday night a shorthanded Allen team defeated Idaho 7-2 to get back in the series. Idaho has played a total of 82 games this season and it was the worst defeat the Steelheads had suffered all season. Last night, just 24 hours later, still playing shorthanded, the Americans embarrassed themselves with the worst playoff loss in team history. Before another sellout crowd in Boise (5017) the Steelheads beat Allen 9-3 to take a 3-1 lead in the series. The first playoff elimination game for the Americans will be this afternoon in Boise (5:10 CDT).
- Anytime you go from a 7-2 win to a 9-3 loss in back-to-back games there is a lot that goes wrong. Friday night Allen's compete level was off the charts, they played smart in the defense zone, were relentless in the offensive zone, had a lot of net front presence and had great goaltending. That was all missing last night. Here is how coach Costello described the game and the challenge facing the Americans today, when I checked in with him late last night:
"We got outplayed from the opening puck drop all the way to the end of the game. We got outplayed from top to bottom. Our lives are now on the line. I certainly hope our effort will reflect that in tomorrow's game. Win a game and get the series back to Allen is the goal. Everyone involved will need to bring their "A" game and "A" effort if we want that to happen."
- Every key to the game went Idaho's way last night.
- Idaho scored the first goal of the game.
- Idaho had a 3-0 first period lead.
- Idaho had a 5-0 lead early in the second period before Allen scored.
- Idaho had a 7-2 lead after the second period.
- Idaho outshot Allen in every period, 43-31 for the game.
- Idaho was 3-5 on the power play, Allen was 1-6.
- Allen finally got on the scoreboard midway through the second period on a Jack Combs goal to cut the score to 5-1. The faint glimmer of hope was dashed just 38 seconds later when another defensive breakdown allowed Idaho to regain its five-goal lead. Colton Hargrove added a second period goal and Chad Butcher finished the Allen scoring in the third period. The final tally was Idaho outscored the Americans 3-0 in the first period, 4-2 in the second period and 2-1 in the third period. How bad was it? Prior to last night Allen had never allowed more than seven goals in a playoff game since joining the ECHL.
- Here are the game recaps issued by both teams:
Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/americans-fall-to-idaho-9-3-in-game-4/
Idaho Steelheads: https://www.idahosteelheads.com/en/articles/steelheads-erupt-offensively-in-9-3-win-over-americans-grabbing-three-to-one-series-lead
- Goal scorers for Allen were Jack Combs (5), Colton Hargrove (6) and Chad Butcher (1). Liam Finlay had two assists. Here are the video highlights: https://www.echl.com/en/video/2023/5/allen-americans-vs-idaho-steelheads---may-13-2023-8W07KKST
- I wrote yesterday how it was obvious Allen made a decision that the only way the Americans were going to win in Idaho was by playing a much more physical game. Playing physical has been the hallmark of Allen's most successful teams. However, there is a difference between playing physical and playing disciplined. Here is an update on the stats. Prior to the games in Idaho, the Americans were the least penalized team in the playoffs averaging just seven penalty minutes per game. Here are the playoff penalty minute stats for Allen:
- 49 penalty minutes - Total PIMS for first seven games of the playoffs.
- 48 penalty minutes - PIMS in 6-2 loss in Idaho on Wednesday.
- 65 penalty minutes - PIMS in 7-2 win in Idaho on Friday.
- 42 penalty minutes - PIMS in 9-3 loss in Idaho last night.
- In three games Allen's PIMS rank went from dead last (7.00 PIMS per game) to #3 with a PIMS average of 20.40.
- Here is where lack of discipline while playing physical has hurt the Americans in Idaho:
- In the loss on Wednesday Allen took three 10-minute misconduct penalties.
- In the win on Friday Allen took three 10-minute misconduct penalties including one game misconduct penalty.
- Last night Allen took a misconduct penalty, a game misconduct penalty for abuse of officials and a match penalty for an illegal check to the head.
Having no interest or pride in defense, taking stupid penalties and/or suspensions when you’re already playing short isn’t how you win. No wonder they keep getting beaten by wide margins. They are not a playoff team.
ReplyDeleteLet’s ask the important questions? Why would you put 3 goalies on the playoff roster? If you were the 3rd goalie why would you stay and not leave the team? Your not gonna play anyway? Oh wait he did leave. Why would you only take 7 D-Men? When you have some undersized non physical defensemen? I find it hard to believe the coach /GM would make these decisions? How about asking some of these hard questions and getting some answers? I’m guessing we have an owner that thinks he knows more about hockey then he really does, and dictates these decisions to the coach. NO Hockey player, now coach would make these decisions. Maybe Tommy is making these decisions, he seems to be the only other team personnel who would make such horrible decisions! There is always next year.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering earlier this year about some of the things you are guessing about. Rather than guess, I figured I would just ask him straight up. I’ve spoken with him several times and he has always been very clear and succinct. He is not a micromanager. He hires people or hires people to hire people. He gives parameters and goals, like a budget for example or attendance goals. Then he’s hands off unless there is a request to change the parameters/goals.
DeleteI asked him directly, and this is not paraphrased.
Me: “Does Costello have to ask or even run it by you when he wants to trade someone or make a deal with another team, or anything like that?”
Jack: “No, no. I don’t micromanage him. I don’t do that kind of thing. All I care about is winning.”
I have never asked him if the same thing applies to production, marketing, broadcast or anything on that side of the org. I have my assumptions, but without knowing the structure of that side of the business, which I know a bunch of fans are unhappy with, I don’t know who to blame. But that side needs an overhaul, IMO. Does Jack think it needs an overhaul? No idea.
One thing for sure, though. I’m a big fan of his style when it comes to managing the GM/Coach. And unless he is just outright BS-ing me, it’s clear that under his ownership, the coach/GM is responsible (good or bad) for all in game decisions, player scratches, line combos, style of play, player releases, trades, etc etc etc.
I think Costello did a pretty good job this year. Not sure what Jack thinks, but I know the expectations will be higher next year.
Hopefully that clears up your guesswork in that area of the organization.
I hope the expectations for the rest of the organization get raised as well.
Bobby 226
I know for fact Jack treated Martinson like crap. Without a doubt too Jack has said out loud many times he knows nothing about hockey….which shows.
DeleteTommy is a Idaho plant. He knows it and so does everyone else. Worst broadcaster in the league. Defense lost us every game this year. Trade them all and start over.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog Barry - Can you actually tell us what went wrong...?
ReplyDelete