The Allen Americans earned a split last night. The Alumni Team, comprised of former players that go back as far as the team's first season (2009-10) and filled with 11 players that won championships in Allen (22 rings among them) defeated a group of DFW All-Stars. However, in the main event Allen lost to Kansas City 3-1. In between the two games Chad Costello had his #13 jersey retired.
- I had a chance to talk to most of the alumni players after the game and everyone mentioned how much they enjoy getting together for these games. It is not just the game itself but the time off the ice, where they can tell stories, reminisce about their playing days, interact with their families, play some golf and visit with fans.
- As for the actual game the Americans alumni were the victors over the DFW All-Stars. My unofficial scorecard had Jack Combs leading the Americans with four goals and a bunch of players with a single goal including Chad Costello (he played only one period), Jason Deitsch, David Makowski, Mathieu Aubin, Joel Chouinard, Brian McMillin and Daniel Tetrault.
- I heard a lot of chirping in the locker room after the game and many agreed with one player pointing out the ice sheet has gotten a lot bigger since they retired. My impression in watching the game is yes the players have slowed down but the way they see the ice and the mental part of the game is still sharp. They can't always execute what they see, but there were lots of great passes to set up teammates.
- Some post game quotes. I asked some of the players what it is like coming back to the alumni games and to give me a kid update:
Tyler Ludwig: It was good to see the out of town guys like Milly, Tetsy and Booter again. We had a great time playing golf yesterday. When we all get together it is like we played with them yesterday. My daughter update: the oldest Sydney is 11 and playing softball and I help coach that. The middle one Hayden, is nine and plays soccer. I don't know anything about soccer but helping coach that too. The youngest is Bradley who is seven and stays active.
Trevor Ludwig: My daughter Lyn is going to be 10 in three weeks and my son, Beau is seven. Beau just finished his first season playing hockey. I like to say he is following in my footsteps but hopefully he is falling in his grandpa's footsteps. A number of us play together in a men's league (Aubin, Descoteaux, Deitsch, Chouinard) out of Farmers Branch.
Mathieu Aubin: It is fun to see everyone. I didn't know everyone so it was good to meet some of the guys from the past. I had a great time playing the game and at the golf tournament.
David Makowski: It was fun out there at least until I lost my breath. I told Costy I could help out on the power play but nothing else. We (wife Carrie) are still involved in dog rescue. Our two dogs are now 10 and five so we will probably get another one soon.
Brian McMillin: It is always fun to come back and get the old group back together. Our son (three and a half Eddie) is enjoying himself. Between the golf tournament and the game a lot of stories were shared.
Daniel Tetrault: Oh my goodness that was a good time. It was so much fun seeing my old teammates. We might not be in the best shape but there was a lot of hockey sense on the ice. Allen is extra special for me winning a championship here in my 14th season and you never forget those teammates.We have to do this more than every five years.
Darryl Bootland: It was a blast out there on the ice. I just don't have the energy anymore. The kids are now 18, 11 and 7. The 11 year old daughter is into volleyball. My seven year old daughter is doing karate and I think she is going to be MMA. She has a lot of me in her. All she wants to do everyday is fight. It is scary but fun if you know what I mean.
Erik Adams: It is fun being back with the group and just to get out there and skate is great. My daughter Brooklyn was just 11 and because I am leap year baby I was 11 this year so we celebrated being 11 together. She is big into cheerleading competitions. Henrik is nine and plays hockey, football, baseball, basketball and does jujitsu so he stays busy. Both the kids also like to ski.
Joel Chouinard: Tonight and the golf outing was a lot of ton. I still skate with some of these guys every week. Julien is five and a half and Luca is three.
Jason Deitsch: I don't ever desire to play hockey anymore but when get out there it is fun and hanging out with the guys and passing the puck around. My daughter Charlie is 14 and her activities are volleyball, basketball, cheer and softball. My son Cohen is 12 and plays football, baseball, basketball and track. My youngest daughter, Cory, is into cheer and baseball.
- I have to say it was also fun to chat a little bit with all the hockey wives many of which have now become hockey moms. Hannah Combs, Ashley Costello, Kelly Gens, Angie Gill, Holly Ludwig, Taylor Ludwig and Wendy McMillin.
- Just before the Allen vs Kansas City game there was a jersey retirement ceremony for Chad Costello and his #13 jersey. Chad's family, friends, and fans watched a video tribute and witnessed his #13 head to the rafters.
- In the main event the Allen Americans finished their regular season against Kansas City with a 3-1 loss. The bad news is Allen's record against the Mavericks this season was 4-10-0-1 including 1-7-0-0 at the CUTX Event Center. The good news is Kansas City's home record is 20-8-2-1 with three of the eight regulation losses coming against Allen.
- The game last night looked to be a high scoring affair when Kansas City scored on the first shot of the game just 17 seconds after the puck drop. Allen tied the score 1-1 on its third shot of the game at the 3:05 mark on James Hardie's second goal in his second game with the Americans. Hardie's goal turned out to be the only goal Allen scored in the game.
- The Allen offense sputtered again last night after exploding for six goals on Friday. Here are the stats from the game last night:
- Allen gave up the first goal of the game which they did in all three games in this series.
- Allen was out shot in every period by a total of 44-27.
- Allen's penalty kill was excellent killing six power play opportunities while going 0-2 on the power play.
- Kansas City had a 2-1 lead after the second period with a record when leading after the second period of 31-1-1-0.
- Here is the game recap issued by the Allen Americans. https://allenamericans.com/news/2024/03/mavericks-take-the-series-with-3-1-victory
- Here are the video highlights: https://echl.com/videos/allen-americans-vs-kansas-city-mavericks-march-23-2024
OTHER COMMENTS
- Friday night Allen won but gained nothing on the teams ahead of them in the standings because they also won. Last night Allen lost but the teams ahead of the Americans also lost. Tulsa lost 10-1 to Idaho, Utah had 58 shots but lost to Rapid City 4-3 and Wichita lost to Iowa 3-2. Allen remains six points behind Tulsa, four points behind Utah and three points ahead of Wichita. Today Wichita plays at Iowa and Utah is at Rapid City.
- It was another Saturday night, big crowd (6030), specialty jersey loss for the Allen Americans. The specialty jersey curse seems real as the Allen record when wearing specialty jerseys this season is now 1-7-0-0.
- The Americans now hit the road for the next four games. Next week Allen will be in Rapid City for games on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The Americans play in Wichita on April 3 before they play Adirondack three games at home starting April 5.
They did not continue to shoot. Once in awhile they tried 😡. Friday night when they continued to shoot they SCORED!!
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