The Allen Americans lost to the Kansas City Mavericks last night by a score of 5-4 in a shootout before a crowd of 5529 at the Cable Dahmer Arena.
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| Is the Allen glass half full or half empty? |
- If you are a glass half full type of Allen fans these might be some of your thoughts this morning:
- Allen took three of a possible six points on the road from the best team in the ECHL (by point percentage).
- Allen is last in the league in shots allowed per game (40.54) but held Kansas City to 31, 30 and 33 shots in the series.
- Allen had the closest shot total of any series all season and almost matched Kansas City in shots (91-94).
- Allen's penalty kill was great in the series 90% (2-20).
- Allen scored first in two of the three games in the series.
- Allen earned a point last night and maintained its playoff position in the Mountain Division.
- If you are glass half empty type of Allen fan these might be some of your thoughts this morning:
- Allen's team defensive deficiencies struck yet again, blowing a 4-1 lead with less than 15 minutes remaining in the game.
- Allen can't stay out of the penalty box. Allen had 13 power play opportunities in the series, Kansas City had 20, and the goal that tied the game late in the third period was a power play goal.
- Allen's power play was anemic in the series scoring one goal in 13 opportunities for a power play percentage of 7.7%.
- Throwing away a point by blowing a three goal lead last night will cost Allen in what will be a very tight race for a playoff spot in April.
- The game last night could not have started much better. Allen scored first early in the opening period (2.54) on a goal by Mikael Robidoux. Kansas City tied the score 1-1 midway through the period but Allen responded with two goals (Colin Jacobs and Blake Murray) in 38 seconds to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission. Allen extended its lead to 4-1 early in the second period (1:57) on a Colby McAuley goal and it turned out to be the only goal of the second period.
- Allen had a commanding 4-1 lead after the second period. At that point there was little doubt the Americans would win the game and be the first team all season to win back to back regulation games against the Mavericks. The stats spoke to the likelihood of an Allen win. The Americans hadn't lost a road game all season when leading after the second period (9-0-0-0) and Kansas City hadn't won a home game all season when trailing after the second period (0-6-0-0).
- The third period was a disaster for the Americans as Kansas City scored two goals in 62 seconds early in the period to cut the lead to 4-3 and then tied the score late in the period on a power play goal. Both teams had chances to win the game in overtime, but a shootout gave Kansas City the victory. Blake Murray, Hank Crone and Colby McAuley were Allen's shooters in the shootout and all three missed. David Cotton scored the game winner in the shootout for the Mavericks. Cotton also scored a goal in regulation. He scored both Kansas City goals on Friday night when Allen won 4-2.
- Goal scorers for Allen were Mikael Robidoux (4), Colin Jacobs (2), Blake Murray (13), Colby McAuley (19). Easton Brodzinski had two assists in the game. Here are the video highlights with all of the goals and the shootout attempts: https://echl.com/videos/allen-americans-vs-kansas-city-mavericks-jan-27-2024
- Here is the game recap issued by the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/news/2024/01/americans-earn-a-point-in-shootout-loss
- It won't get any easier for the Americans next week. Allen flies to Boise on Tuesday to take on the Idaho Steelheads on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Allen won two of three games against Idaho at home at the end of December but Idaho has given the Americans fits last season and this season in Boise.
- When I last talked to the coaches there was hope Mark Sinclair would make the trip to Idaho with the team after being out of the lineup with an injury since early January. It is worth noting Allen has 18 wins this season with 17 of the coming with either Sinclair or Leevi Meriläinen in goal.
- With between 31-33 games remaining in the regular season for Mountain Division teams it is fair to say the playoffs are a battle between five teams for two playoff spots. Kansas City and Idaho have an insurmountable lead (13 & 19 points) over third place so are locks for the top two spots. Wichita is nine points out of a playoff spot and six points from sixth place so their chances are slim. That leaves Tulsa, Allen, Utah and Rapid City fighting for two playoff spots. It looks to be a finish similar to last season when second to fifth place ended up separated by just four points. That is why the lost point last night was so critical. You rarely see ECHL teams blow three goal leads in the third period.
- While Allen is on the road in Idaho next week, Rapid City is on the road in Maine and Utah visits Tulsa. Allen, Utah and Rapid City are separated by just two points so it will be another critical week for these teams.
- Of the ECHL teams that have been involved in more than one shootout, Savannah shooters have scored on 80% (4-5) of their attempts at the high end and Toledo shooters have scored on 8.3% (1-12) on the low end. Adirondak has the best shootout record (3-1) of teams involved in more than two shootouts while Toledo and Fort Wayne have the worst record (1-3).
- There are seven games on the ECHL schedule this afternoon. Here is the ECHL Today with previews: https://echl.com/news/2024/01/echl-today-jan-28
Not shocked Perry has 0 wins… may be the worst goalie performance I’ve ever seen.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think this team plays not to lose with a lead, instead of playing to keep winning? Do you think it’s a fear of losing by the coaching staff? The shift in game play with a lead by this team is concerning. They take the foot off the gas and start coasting. Another issue is this teams lack of an enforcer so we start taking minor penalties and retaliation penalties instead of having “that” dude taking care of and policing the ice.
ReplyDeleteWhile there is no excuse in losing the game last night, as you know I am a stats guy and they tell this story. Since Chad Costello became coach, Allen’s record when playing with the lead is very good. The Americans record when leading after the first period is 31-4-2-0 and when leading after the second period is 40-5-1-1.
DeleteBarry - bless your heart
DeleteThe glass is broken - holds nothing...
ReplyDeleteI see Spencer Asuchak was activated from injured reserve...then suspended and removed from the roster. He was obviously having a poor season (-26!!!)...did he retire?
ReplyDeleteAccording to elite prospects he is leaving the team.
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