It is another early game day for Allen as the Americans are in Kansas City to take on the Mavericks who are hosting their annual Kids Day Game. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:35 am. The game today is the first of four straight against Kansas City. The teams will play in Allen on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
- It will be a big challenge for the Americans who will be taking on the team tied for the ECHL lead in points with 14, and a record of 7-1-0-0. Kansas City started the season 7-0 before losing at home 8-4 to Rapid City on Saturday. Allen also lost its last game, 5-1 in Tulsa last Friday and now has a record of 2-4.
- As you would assume when a team with a .875 points percentage takes on a team with a .333 points percentage, Kansas City has the much better stats. Here is a comparison:
- Average Goals Scored
- 3.3 Allen
- 3.8 Kansas City
- Average Goals Allowed
- 5.3 Allen
- 2.8 Kansas City
- Average Shots For
- 28.3 Allen
- 34.5 Kansas City
- Average Shots Against
- 44.5 Allen
- 26.6 Kansas City
- Power Play Percentage
- 13.0% Allen
- 25.9% Kansas City
- Penalty Kill Percentage
- 76.7% Allen
- 82.4% Kansas City
- It was hard to find a silver lining in all of the one-sided stats that favor Kansas City, but Allen fans may find hope in the fact that Kansas City's only loss this season came at home and Allen's two wins this season both came on the road. It also should be noted Allen has always played the Mavericks tough in Kansas City. Over the last five years the Americans record in Kansas City is 11-6-0-1.
- As usual a good start will be key and maybe more so with the early start. The team that is ready to go from the opening puck drop will have a big advantage. Allen fell behind 2-0 in the early game in Tulsa last Friday and never recovered. Kansas City is undefeated when scoring first.
- The biggest difference between these teams is at the defensive end of the ice. Before giving up eight goals in their last game the Mavericks allowed a total of 14 goals in their first seven games. In Allen's last five games the Americans allowed 30 goals, allowing at least five goals in each game. Allen can't give up five goals today and win the game.
- The team that won the special teams battle has won every game Allen has played this season. The Americans are 1-14 (7.1%) on the power play in the last four games. That will have to improve to get a win this morning.
- Here is a complete game preview issued by the Allen Americans with all of the details to get you ready for the game this morning. https://allenamericans.com/news/2023/11/breakfast-with-the-americans
- Allen made a couple of roster moves yesterday that will help. Jordan-Ty Fournier is off injured reserve and will be in the lineup today. The Americans have acquired defenseman Justin Allen from Norfolk for future consideration. Norfolk had a surplus of defensemen after getting four NHL/AHL contracted players assigned. Justin Allen is a rookie who has been on injured reserve. He played 10 games with Norfolk after finishing his collegiate career last season and had seven assists. He is not with the team today. Here is a video that shares some of his background and stats:
- There are three day games in the ECHL today. Here is the ECHL Today with the previews: https://echl.com/news/2023/11/echl-today-nov-7
- DID YOU KNOW: Here is the ECHL Stats post for today:
Thank you for the early game day blog. With a rough a start to the season and a bleak outlook, your want and willingness is even more respected.
ReplyDeleteOutshot 52-17...and somehow win 4-3. It's obvious this group can't defend. Long season ahead I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteJust think with our own shooting percentage what our offensive output might be if we doubled out shot totals!!! But yes, must find way to limit opponent’s shots. This team blocks more than in past but still allows 45-50 a game.
ReplyDeleteMaybe for once we stop blaming the defense just because the fan favorites are all offense. This team should be an offensive powerhouse based on stats and players, yet we have games there is little to no offense on our end. Our forwards also don’t know how to help the defense ever, our forwards never play defense and all they care about is their own offensive chances. Maybe stop holding our favs on a pedestal.
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