The Allen Americans beat the Idaho Steelheads 5-4 last night before a New Year's Eve crowd of 4031 at the CUTX Event Center. Even the most ardent Allen fans had to be surprised the Americans won two of three games against Idaho this weekend. Idaho is the best road team in the ECHL who arrived in Allen with a road record over the past two seasons of 36-9-1-2 (.781). Idaho had not lost a road series since the 2021-22 season.
- Allen jumped on Idaho early in the game last night scoring twice (Hank Crone & Blake Murray) by the 4:30 mark of the first period. Crone got a second goal late in the period and the Americans took a 3-0 lead into the first intermission. Even though Allen's record with a first period lead is one of the best in the ECHL (8-0-1-0) a three goal lead did not seem safe against Idaho. Idaho is one of three ECHL teams with a winning record when trailing after the first period (6-4-0-1).
- Allen added to its lead in the second period on goals by Brandon Puricelli and Gavin Gould (shorthanded). Even with a 5-0 lead you knew Idaho would make a run and that is exactly what happened. The Steelheads scored twice in the second period to cut Allen's lead to 5-2 at the second intermission.
- A third period power play goal by Idaho cut the score to 5-3 and a late period goal after the Steelheads pulled the goalie cut the score to 5-4 with almost two minutes remaining in the game. It was touch and go over the last two minutes until Idaho took a penalty with 18 seconds remaining to assure the Allen victory.
- Goal scorers for Allen were Hank Crone (9,10), Blake Murray (9), Brandon Puricelli (4) and Gavin Gould (2). Here are the video highlights: https://echl.com/videos/idaho-steelheads-vs-allen-americans-dec-31-2023
- Here are the game recaps:
- Allen Americans game recap: https://allenamericans.com/news/2023/12/americans-close-2023-with-a-5-4-win-over-idaho
- Idaho Steelheads game recap: https://idahosteelheads.com/news/2023/12/rassell-and-becker-each-score-twice-in-5-4-loss
- With two goals and an assist Hank Crone extended his point streak to 11 games which is the longest point streak in the ECHL this season. In those 11 games Hank has 20 points (6G, 14A). Crone leads the Americans in points with 31 (10G, 21A). His points per game average of 1.55 is higher than last season (1.52) when he had 105 points.
- Blake Murray had a goal and two assists last night to add to his amazing totals since joining the Americans nine games ago. He has points in eight of the nine games. He has a six game assist streak which is the longest current assist streak in the ECHL. Blake has 15 points (7G, 8A) since joining Allen. His points average of 1.67 is higher than any other player in the league. A full season at the rate he is scoring would equal 120 points (56G, 64A).
- Allen has now won four of its last five games and in the last 10 days moved from last place in the division with a .340 point percentage to fifth place with a .417 point percentage. Allen's next eight games are against Tulsa, Wichita and Utah and gives the Americans a great opportunity to continue their winning ways. It will be important for Allen to do well in the next eight games because after that stretch Allen will hit the road for six games, three games in Kansas City followed by three in Idaho. Kansas City is the #1 team in the ECHL in points (47) and Idaho is #2 (45). The stretch between January 24 and February 3 will be key for Allen's playoff hopes.
- Here are the Mountain Division teams listed by change in points percentage over the last 10 days showing which teams are improving and by how much. The team's point percentage 10 days ago and today is in parenthesis:
- +0.77: Allen (.340 to .417)
- +0.45: Utah (.348 to .393)
- +0.36: Kansas City (.722 to .758)
- +0.20: Rapid City (.480 to .500)
- -0.23: Wichita (.423 to .400)
- -0.30: Idaho (.780 to .750)
- -1.04: Tulsa (.604 to .500)
- The win last night to take the series from Idaho added to celebrating New Year's Eve and made for a big celebration night for the team. Luckily the Amricans have the day off today, but will be back at practice Tuesday morning to get ready for the game on Wednesday against Tulsa.
COACHES COMMENTS
- Coach Costello and coach Gens spoke with the season ticket holders after the game. Here is what they had to say:
"We are really proud of the guys to bounce back tonight after the loss on Saturday. The message coming into the game was a lot of positives and the negatives weren't that bad. The way we broke down the video and talked to the guys was about keeping our composure no matter how things go. Chad wanted to make sure we stayed steady."....Gens
"As far as the team goes that is a very gutsy win tonight and those games can go a long way later in the season knowing what we can do. Yes, Idaho got a couple of goals at the end but they are a great hockey team but we will learn from that and get better. I really like our team and am very proud of them."....Gens
"We are growing for sure but that was a f...ing series winner against Idaho tonight. That was good and a lot of heart and soul went into that game and we will keep going.".....Costello
"We are getting healthier every week. Adding Hebert and throwing him into that game was a little unfair but he is so athletic he did a good job. Robidoux is getting game ready and we are getting closer and closer to going on a run.".....Costello
"I like our schedule coming up. We play Tulsa on Wednesday, then three in Wichita, then three at home against Utah and one against Tulsa. I like our chances of going on a run.".....Costello
"One of the toughest parts of the job is assembling a team that you think will be able to compete every night and then it kind of falling apart. You hear guys will be coming down from the AHL but the don't, you sign guys to fit roles and end up with 10 on injured reserve. The Hargrove injury was deadly. He was a 20 minute guy, power play guy, hits, fights and scores. You have these plans and something happens to your plans and you have to reset. Most people don't understand how difficult it is to reset during the season. All the good hockey players right now are on hockey teams so it is very hard to maneuver.".....Costello
OTHER COMMENTS
- Great publicity for the Allen Americans. Owner Myles Jack on his way to his NFL game. Myles has played in the last two games for the Steelers, both wins. He has 14 tackles (10 solo) and one sack.
 |
| Allen owner and Pittsburg Steeler player Myles Jack |
- The Mountain Division is shaping up to be very similar to last season. Last season one team (Idaho) was way a head of the rest and left five teams fighting for three playoff spots. This season two teams (Idaho & Kansas City) are way out in front and it appears five teams will be fighting for two playoff spots.
- Leevi Meriläinen added 60 minutes played last night and has become a qualified goalie for ECHL stats. He has played 569 minutes and the cutoff for being qualified is 540 minutes. Leevi is ranked #8 in the ECHL in save percentage at .918.
- Talk about falling from grace the Atlanta Gladiators were ranked #1 in the ECHL the first part of the season. Atlanta won eight games to start the season (second longest streak in league history for wins to start a season). Two months later and Atlanta is the last place team in the entire league.
Any insight on the roster movement yesterday?
ReplyDelete