To quote coach Chad Costello after Allen's dominate 6-3 win over Tulsa on Friday, "It was pretty to watch, but what you have to fight for in any sport is consistency. We have to have this new level and keep growing." The consistency bug bit Allen in the backside last night as the Tulsa Oilers press release stated, "Oilers Respond With Dominate Win Over Americans." You can honestly say Allen went from arguably its best game of the season on Friday night to arguably the worst game of the season on Saturday night.That is inconsistency personified.
- The final score last night was 6-1 in favor of Tulsa before another big crowd of 5879 on Police/Fire Night. I heard more than a few observers point out it was another Saturday night, big crowd, specialty jersey disappointing loss. For the two games this weekend the attendance was 11,886 for an average of 5943. My records only go back a few years but I am pretty sure this weekend was the highest attendance in back to back games in the history of the team. Stick taps to the sales and marketing staff who probably need an "attaboy/attagirl" as they deal with all of the upset season ticket holders after season ticket prices for next season went up dramatically.
- There could not be more of a contrast between Allen's win on Friday and loss last night.
- Friday night Allen scored first and put the game away with four first period goals.
- Saturday night Tulsa scored first, led 1-0 after the first period and 4-1 after the second period.
- Friday night Tulsa scored a shorthanded goal to tie the score 1-1 and get the momentum only to have Allen score 17 seconds later.
- Saturday night Allen scored a shorthanded goal (Grant Hebert) to cut the score to 2-1 and gain momentum. Tulsa scored 22 seconds later to regain a two goal lead.
- Friday Allen allowed Tulsa two power play opportunities. Saturday Allen allowed 10 power plays (a season record) and Tulsa converted on four of them, which is also a season record.
- All of the power plays contributed to Allen giving up a season high (tied) 52 shots, including 23 shots in the second period. That is tied for the most shots given up in the second period by any ECHL team all season.
- The second period proved to be the death knell for the Americans once again last night. In Allen's last three losses it has given up three goals in the second period while being outshot 54-20 and outscored 9-1.
- Allen failed every key to the game last night.
- The Americans gave up the first goal and their record when that happens is 5-19-1-0 (.220).
- Allen trailed 1-0 after the first period and their record when that happens is 4-13-0-0 (.235).
- Allen trailed 4-1 after the second period and when that happens their record is 3-18-1-0 (.159)
- Allen lost the special teams battle by giving up a season high 10 power plays and four power play goals. The Americans were scoreless on the power play (0-4) which included a 55 second 5-on-3 power play.
- It wasn't just the lack of execution that contributed to the loss last night, it was also a lack of discipline, especially late in the game. I know the Americans want to be a team that is tough to play against, but you can't take 13 penalties and give up four power play goals on 10 chances and expect to win a game.
- Here are the game recaps from both teams:
- Allen Americans - https://allenamericans.com/news/2024/02/americans-fall-in-series-finale
- Tulsa Oilers: https://tulsaoilers.com/news/2024/02/oilers-respond-with-dominant-win-over-americans
- Here are the video highlights: https://echl.com/videos/tulsa-oilers-vs-allen-americans-feb-10-2024
- The good news for the Americans is they earned four points this weekend by winning two of three games against Tulsa. Allen gained ground on Tulsa, Utah and Rapid City so it was a successful week despite the disappointing loss last night.
- Next week will give Allen another great opportunity to advance in the standings. The Americans have three games next week. They play Wichita at home on Wednesday, play at Tulsa on Friday and play at home against Tulsa on Saturday. In a quirk in the ECHL schedule, after the game on Saturday (February 17) the Americans won't play again until March 1 (at home against Tulsa). Having 12 days between games is unheard of in the ECHL. It will be time for the Americans to regroup, refocus and heal up before the final push to the playoffs. Allen will have 22 games remaining when they return to action on March 1.
OTHER COMMENTS
- There are no games on the ECHL schedule today, a rarity and maybe a deference to the Super Bowl. There is at least one ECHL game every day this coming week which is also unusual.
- There are comers and goers at the top of all four ECHL divisions.
- North Division - Adirondack has hit a rough patch dropping four straight games, but still has a 12 point lead over second place Norfolk who has the best record in the division over the last ten games (7-3-0-0).
- South Division - Greenville has lost four of its last five games and has seen its lead trimmed to six points. The two hottest teams in the division are now nipping at the Swamp Rabbit's heels. Jacksonville is 8-1-1-0 over the last 10 games and South Carolina is 8-1-0-1.
- Central Division - Toledo has a five point lead despite a mediocre 10 game record of 3-3-2-2. The hottest team in the ECHL is Wheeling who has won 12 straight games. Wheeling has now risen to second place in the division but is still five points behind Toledo.
- Mountain Division - Kansas City continues to march toward the Brabham Cup as the regular season ECHL champion. Kansas City has a 10 point lead over Idaho in the division and a seven point lead over Adirondack for the best record in the ECHL.
- Allen has 11 fighting majors this season but only four since December 20. Here are the fight numbers for all Mountain Division teams:
- 21 - Wichita
- 15 - Utah
- 13 - Kansas City
- 13 - Tulsa
- 11 - Allen
- 5 - Idaho
DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL stats post today is about third period comebacks. Allen's record when trailing after the second period is 3-18-1-0 (.159). Allen has trailed after the second period in 22 of 47 games, 47%, which is one of the highest percentages in the league. The team with the fewest games trailing after the second period is Adirondack who has trailed in nine of 47 games (19%)
That is really surprising that Fort Wayne and Cincinnati have not had a third period comeback win.
ReplyDeleteAny updates on why Constantini was placed on reserve?
ReplyDeleteThose records when trailing after 2 periods are only in home games. Not overall records when trailing after 2 periods.
ReplyDeleteTheir effort and team play is wildly inconsistent as they consistently find ways to lose.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding as to season ticket prices going up is that it relates to those who have locked in multi year terms or have been grandfathered on pricing terms. The reality is that everyone will be at the published rates. No more sub market prices. Unfortunately, whether it is liked or not, it affects the most loyal tenured fans.
ReplyDeleteStm have been being treated less than loyal for past 4-5 years. Basically irrelevant as if STM are no longer considered the priority, “we have them and they will just renew so go focus on luring others with deals, BOGOs, vouchers, etc.”
DeleteDoes anyone know the status of the Tulsa player that crawled off the ice during the game on Saturday?
ReplyDeleteI agree with this, as it was lots better for our pocketbook when I could go to Allen businesses and get free tickets for every game. I miss Robert.
ReplyDeleteFree is great but unrealistic especially when you want a winning cared for team on the ice. The days of in person jersey auctions, regular player interactions, message boards that fit the game/opponent, fresh content, and concessions that aren’t higher then the AAC made it more enticing and valuable for a minor league sporting event.
ReplyDeleteThe team has never made a profit in 14 years, and the new owners are no better than the last one, of the one before that. The only ones making money off the Americans are the City of Allen.
ReplyDeleteCurious… based off the rent and revenue (sales tax) from the CUTX Event Center, why hasn’t a deal been struck for the Allen EDC to step up and strike a deal based on the Americans being the main tenant. This should look like reduced rent, incentives to drive concession sales, and a long term guarantee for the team to not be moved.
ReplyDeleteI believe the above comment about no profit in 14 years, but that’s crazy insane and something has to change outside of an adjustment to the pricing of season tickets.