The Allen Americans are back at practice getting ready for the weekend. After a long time off it will be a brutal return to action for the Americans. Allen plays at home Friday night against Tulsa and gets on the bus after the game and travels to Wichita. The Americans play Wichita Saturday night and then will travel back to Allen after the game. The weekend ends with an early start (2:10 pm) game against Wichita on Sunday. It will be a key weekend for Allen against two teams that have been playing well. Wichita has won five straight games, second longest win streak in the ECHL right now. Tulsa just earned three points in a series against Idaho (1-1-1-0).
- It seems like forever ago but as a reminder Allen's last six games were against Tulsa (5 games) and Wichita (1 game). The Americans beat Wichita and were 3-2 against Tulsa. Allen is seven points behind Tulsa and two points ahead of Wichita in the standings, but the Americans have two games in hand on both teams.
- There was some good news at practice yesterday. Bennett MacArthur is back with the team after spending some time in the AHL (Syracuse). Liam Finlay has been practicing with the team during the optional skates last week and was a full participant (no restrictions) the last two days. He looks ready to go and could be in the lineup this weekend. Liam hasn't played since October 29. His career points per game average of 1.26 and goals per game average .60 in 58 games played for the Americans will be welcome back in the lineup.
- In other roster news Ty Fournier is practicing and it looks like he is also close to returning to the lineup, maybe as early as nest week. Hank Crone is still recovering from his injury and has not started skating. There has been no news about the possibility of players being assigned by Belleville this week, but those things can change each day. What is clear is as players return or get assigned the Americans will have too many players. Teams are limited to 22 players, 20 on the active roster and two on reserve. Players on injured reserve don't count. By my calculation with the addition of MacArthur the Americans now have the maximum 22 players on the roster. That means if Finlay comes off IR, a player will have to be released unless another player goes on IR. It is easy to see coach Costello could have to release several players in the coming days as players return from IR and/or players get assigned from Belleville.
- Allen season ticket holders (STMs) will have a chance to buy tickets at a discount for the 3ICE tournament being held at the CUTX Event Center on June 19. All STMs should get an email today (scheduled at 10:30 am) with the details and a link to buy tickets. If you are a season ticket holder and haven't received an email from the Allen Americans you should followup ASAP. Here is what I have been told:
- STMs will get a $10 discount on all ticket prices.
- Discount pricing is only available today and tomorrow.
- Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday.
- Ticket prices vary from $20-$40.
- There are a lot of special prices for seniors (60+), children (2-12), youth sports players (5-18) and military.
If you haven't had a chance to watch 3ICE it is a fast paced 3-on-3 game that is very entertaining. You will likely see some current and former Allen Americans and ECHL stars, though that won't be decided until the league conducts its draft which takes place in the middle of April. A reminder this will be the third season for 3ICE and the league MVP in year one was Chad Costello and in year two was Hank Crone.
- Here is an article written by Justin Cohn for FloSports where he ranks his top 10 most underrated players in the ECHL. Former Allen player Jackson Leppard makes his list. Easton Brodzinski doesn't make the list but is named as an honorable mention. Cohn mentions Brodzinski is an opportunistic goal scorer who has 19 goals on 95 shots. What he doesn't mention is Easton has scored his 19 goals in his last 30 games for a goals per game average of .63. That is among the highest goals per game average in the league. Brodzinski would be high on my top 10 list. Here is Cohn's list which will give you information on a bunch of ECHL players doing very well, but do not get a lot of publicity. A good read for sure: https://www.flohockey.tv/articles/12208829-walleyes-keenan-k-wings-vorva-among-10-most-underrated-echl-players?nav_id=75
- Games and promotions that honor our military are always popular as are the military specialty jerseys. On March 9, against Kansas City, it will be Top Gun Night. The first 2500 fans will get an Allen Americans dog tag:
DID YOU KNOW: Here is the latest info on NHL/AHL contracted players assigned to ECHL teams. Allen's number is four (Fizer, MacArthur, Murray, Sinclair) plus Hank Crone on injured reserve.
ttps://x.com/AllenAmericans/status/1761894415079977235?s=20https://x.com/AllenAmericans/status/1761894415079977235?s=20
Be nice if they sold tickets without the ticketmaster fees.
ReplyDeleteThe way Poulson had played against Allen this is a nice timing…
ReplyDeletePoulson was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for cross-checking at
16:12 of the second period. He is fined and suspended under Rule #28 - Supplementary Discipline.
Poulson will miss Tulsa's games at Allen (March 1) and vs. Kansas City (March 2).