Allen Allows 58 Shots, Game Recap, Video Highlights, NHL Considers OT Rule Change and More

 

There is not much you can say about the Allen Americans performance last night other than the game was over quickly and records were set. Idaho beat Allen 6-2 before a sellout crowd of 5178 in a game that was not as close as the score. Here are the stats:

• Allen allowed 58 shots, the most in the ECHL this season.
  
• 58 shots allowed is the most since Allen joined the ECHL in 2014-15.
• Allen allowed 23 shots in the first period, second most in any period in the ECHL this season.
  
• 52 saves by Mark Sinclair is also a record.
• Allen was 2-5 on the power play but could not score an even strength goal..
• Idaho scored 29 seconds after the opening puck drop, earliest goal allowed by Allen this season.
• Idaho had a 3-0 lead midway through the first period (11:55).

 

- After falling behind 3-0 the Americans were able to close the gap to 3-2 on two power play goals. Hank Crone, playing is his first game for Allen scored at 13:47 and Kris Myllari scored with 32 seconds remaining in the period. 

 

- Despite a 3-2 score at the first intermission, the game never felt in doubt. Idaho regained a two goal lead with the only goal of the second period and bombarded goalie Mark Sinclair with shots. The Steelheads followed up their 23 shots in the first period with 19 in the second for a totaled 42 shots on goal over the first two periods. There isn't a single ECHL teams that allows an average of 40 shots in an entire game, let alone in two periods. Allen's average shots allowed is now 45.64 per game. Allen is also last in average goals allowed per game at 4.82.

 

- Here are the game recaps from both teams:

• Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/news/2023/11/americans-lose-opener-in-boise   
• Idaho Steelheads: https://idahosteelheads.com/news/2023/11/steelheads-put-up-season-high-in-shots-defeating-americans-6-2 

 

- Video Highlights:  https://echl.com/videos/allen-americans-vs-idaho-steelheads-nov-15-2023

 

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- The Allen Americans have some soul searching to do before the games on Friday and Saturday. It is very clear at this point the Americans can't outscore their bad defense. Allen's record is now 3-8 and the Americans have lost four straight games. In those four losses the Americans scored a total of eight goals,  only two were even strength goals. That totals 240 minutes with just two even strength goals.

 

- Goalie Mark Sinclair has played in six games and faced 42, 41, 48, 52, 37 and 57 shots and leads the league in saves. Last night Sinclair had a GAA of 5.07 but a .912 save percentage. Cruel and unusual punishment if you ask me. 

 

- Kris Myllari had a goal and an assist last night and is second in the league among defensemen with 11 points (2G, 9A). He leads all ECHL players in power play assists (7).  Kris is now averaging a point per game.  

 

-  Here are the recent records of the hottest teams in the ECHL:

• 9-1-0-0 Idaho
• 9-1-0-0 Trois Riviéres
• 8-1-0-0 Atlanta
• 8-2-0-0 Kansas City
• 8-2-0-0 Greenville

 

- Allen's current record is 3-8-0-0. After 11 games last season the Americans record was 5-5-1-0. However, last season starting with game 12 Allen lost seven straight games. Also keep in mind 11 of Allen's next 13 games are on the road including two more games in Idaho, three games in Kansas City and three games in Utah. 

 

DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL usually, but not always, follows the NHL/AHL on rule changes. This is something to keep an eye on:

 

NHL says GMs discussed idea of changing rule to limit teams from continually looping back and regrouping in 3-on-3 OT.

 

Potential solutions: Once you cross the red or blue line, you can’t go back out again. Or implementing a shot clock. Discussions are ongoing, decision tabled until March.