An early wake up call, a quick breakfast and out the door on the bus at 8:00 am is not the typical game day routine for the Allen Americans. It worked yesterday in Wichita with a 10:30 am puck drop. The Americans beat the Thunder 2-1 in overtime before a crowd of 4492 (mostly kids) on Education Day to keep their playoff hopes alive. Allen improved its morning game record to 3-1 this season.
- Allen beat the odds in a game that had a lot of shots but very few goals, thanks to great goaltending by both goalies. The Americans gave up the first goal of the game, trailed after the first period and trailed after the second period. Wichita's record when leading after the second period was 17-2-3-1 and Allen's record when trailing after the second period was 3-27-1-0. Yes, the Americans beat the odds.
- Allen outshot Wichita 42-38 which was only the seventh time all season the Americans outshot an opponent. Wichita scored on its first shot of the game at 3:50 of the opening period. That 1-0 lead held up until less than seven minutes were left in the game. The Americans scored on their 33rd shot of the game. Liam Finlay won a puck battle behind the net and made a quick pass to Chaz Smedsrud at the side of the net, who scored from in close. Smedsrud has now played in three pro games, has points in all three and a total of five points (2G, 3A).
- Both teams had plenty of opportunities to win the game. The Americans out shot Wichita 7-5 in the last six minutes of the game with five of the Allen shots coming in the minute after Smedsrud had tied the score 1-1. Wichita's best chance came as time expired.
- Wichita had more puck possession in the overtime and the better opportunities until the Thunder took an interference penalty at the 4:16. It took just 35 seconds into the 4-on-3 power play for Kris Myllari to make a perfect cross ice pass to Liam Finlay who rifled a one-timer into the net for the game winner. It was Finlay's 10th goal of the season and Myllari's team leading 36th assist.
- One of the keys to the game I talked about in the preview yesterday was special teams. Wichita has one of the best power plays in the ECHL and Allen couldn't stop it in the first eight games these teams played this season. Wichita was 8-20 (40%) on the power play. In the game yesterday Allen most importantly stayed out of the penalty box taking only three minor penalties in the game. The Americans killed all three Tulsa power play opportunities. Allen won the special teams battle when the Americans scored the game winning overtime goal on the power play.
- How good were the goalies in this game? Wichita goalie Trevor Gorsuch stopped 40 of 42 shots for a save percentage of .952. Allen goalie Marco Costantini was even better saving 37 of 38 shots for a save percentage of .974. Here are the video highlights with the three goals along with what I would call a highlight reel for both goalies who made numerous grade A saves. You can also see the interference penalty in overtime that had Wichita so incensed and judge for yourself. It looks like a basketball pick play that led to a breakaway for the Thunder. https://echl.com/videos/allen-americans-vs-wichita-thunder-april-3-2024
- Here is the game recap issued by both teams:
- Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/news/2024/04/back-to-back-overtime-wins
- Wichita Thunder: https://wichitathunder.com/news/2024/04/thunder-loses-series-finale-to-americans-in-ot
- I had a chance to talk to coach Costello as he was traveling back to Allen after the game. Here is what he had to say:
"The game today was as close to a must win as you can have. I am so proud of how the guys stuck with what were were trying to do and they were rewarded."
"We did not play a good first period and were lucky to only be down 1-0."
"After the first period I thought we controlled the game."
"Liam Finlay made a great play on the first goal and had a great finish off a picture perfect pass from Kris Myllari on the game winner in overtime. Finlay is playing better and better after missing so many games.
"We had a couple of players get dinged up in the game but I am hopeful everyone will be ready for the weekend against Adirondack."
"Hank Crone will return on Friday so that will require a roster change."
OTHER COMMENTS
- Yesterday went as good as possible with the Americans earning two points on the road while both Rapid City and Utah lost. Here are the current Mountain Division standings with each team's maximum possible points in parenthesis:
- 106 points - Kansas City (116 points)
- 92 points - Idaho (100 points)
- 65 points - Tulsa (77 points)
- 65 points - Utah (73 points)
- 61 points - Allen (73 points)
- 58 points - Rapid City (68 points)
- 57 points - Wichita (69 points)
- The playoff picture won't be decided this weekend but it will get clarified somewhat. Here is the schedule for the five teams battling for two playoff spots:
- Tulsa plays Wichita in Tulsa on Friday, in Wichita on Saturday and Sunday.
- Utah plays Kansas City at home on Friday and Saturday.
- Allen plays Adirondack at home on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
- Rapid City plays at Idaho on Friday and Saturday.
- Kansas City needs two points in its last five games to win the Brabham Cup as the ECHL regular season champion. The Mavericks have 106 points and will likely end the season in the top seven all time in single season points. The top seven in points all time range from 119 (Idaho last season) to 112. The Mavericks could end up with 116 points if they win their last five games.
- Seven of the 16 teams that will make the Kelly Cup playoffs have been determined. Here is the list:
- North Division - Adirondack, Norfolk
- South Division - Greenville, Jacksonville
- Central Division - Toledo
- Mountain Division - Kansas City. Idaho
Toledo and Kansas City have clinched the #1 seed as the division champion in its respective division.
- I have had several questions about the player acquired from Newfoundland (forward Serron Noel) for the futures Allen was owed when it traded Joe Gatenby to the Growlers. Noel's rights to Allen are for next season. All of the Newfoundland ECHL contracted players are unrestricted free agents and can sign with any ECHL team for the remainder of this season, but some have opted to just go home. My reporting is Noel is one of those players that will not play the rest of the season.
Don't release Walker ..... I hope there is a desire to bring him back next season. He's a good guy.
ReplyDeleteYou just missed the daily transaction post. Walker was released. Dang 😧
DeleteDang. Walker is gone.
ReplyDelete