It was a heartbreaking 6-5 overtime loss for the Allen Americans in Idaho last night in game one of the playoffs. Allen went toe to toe with the Steelheads before a Monday night crowd of 4711 at the Idaho Central Arena. A turnover behind the Allen net just 23 seconds into overtime led to an open net goal and a disappointing ending to a game Allen should have probably won.
Allen scored the first goal of the game, led 2-0, took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission, led 4-2 in the second period and led 5-4 in the third period but Idaho kept responding. The Americans were leading 4-2 with 98 seconds remaining in the second period when the two offensive defensemen Allen had to control (Register and Kudla) scored twice in 53 seconds to tie the score. Allen managed to take a 5-4 lead on a James Hardie goal early in the third period but lees than three minutes later Kudla scored again to tie the score. Allen was on its heels most of the third period as the Americans were outshot 13-3, but they managed to force overtime. Idaho won the overtime faceoff, dumped the puck behind the Allen goal, a turnover resulted, Costantini couldn't get back to the net and Idaho's leading goal scorer, Mark Rassell, put the puck in an empty net, just 23 seconds into the overtime.
- Allen was in control the majority of the game but surrendered two goal leads twice. The Americans took a 2-0 lead at the 13:51 mark of the first period and a 4-2 lead at the 14:16 mark of the second period. Keys to the game included staying out of the penalty box and the Americans did that taking just four penalties for eight minutes. Battling the best power play unit in the league in Idaho, Allen gave up two power play goals in four opportunities. Allen matched Idaho going 2-4 on the power play themselves.
- The key to the game that cost Allen was this one:
"Another key to this series is controlling Idaho's offensive defensemen, specifically Matt Register and Patrick Kudla. Kudla was just selected as the ECHL Defenseman of the Year and Register finished third in the voting. Both were named to the All-ECHL teams. Just four ECHL defensemen had 60+ points this season, Register (10G, 54A) and Kudla (10G, 50A) were two of them. Register and Kudla combined for 104 assists this season. Allen's entire team of defensemen totaled 123 assists. For Allen to be successful it will have to take time and space away from Register and Kudla. It doesn't necessarily mean big hits but the Americans have to stay in their face."
Register and Kudla single-handedly turned the game around when Allen took a 4-2 lead. They scored Idaho's third, fourth and fifth goals.
- Here are game recaps from both teams with goal by goal details:
- Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/news/2024/04/americans-lose-heartbreaker-in-ot
- Idaho Steelheads: https://idahosteelheads.com/news/2024/04/mark-rassell-scores-23-seconds-into-overtime-as-idaho-takes-a-1-0-series-lead-on-allen
- Five different players scored goals for Allen; Colby McAuley, Colin Jacobs, Liam Finlay, Chaz Smedsrud and James Hardie. Every Allen line scored goals. Here are the video highlights with all of the goals: https://echl.com/videos/allen-americans-vs-idaho-steelheads-april-22-2024-game-1
- The teams will take the day off today before resuming the series with game two tomorrow night (Wednesday, 8:10 pm CDT). The plan for Allen was to hold a practice today.
OTHER COMMENTS
- The Kansas City Mavericks advanced to the second round of the playoffs last night with a 2-1 win in Tulsa to sweep the Oilers 4-0. Kansas City advanced to the second round at 9:28 pm CDT, before Allen and Idaho completed the second period of their first playoff game. The Mavericks will have a long wait for the start of round two against either Idaho or Allen.
- There is just one playoff game on the schedule tonight. Indy is at Wheeling and the #2 seeded Fuel trails the #3 seed Nailers 2-0. It is the only one of the eight first round series that a lower seed is leading.
- Here is a post game video after Sheffield won the EIHL playoff championship on Sunday. The "beard" Colton Saucerman is interviewed in this video.
DID YOU KNOW: Here is a breakdown of the ECHL playoffs:
Disappointing loss. I will say I haven't seen Allen play like that regardless as to the winning score all season.
ReplyDeleteThe grit, determination and desire was clearly evident.
If they continue to play like that and correct small errors including the one that cost us the game, and can keep the SOG up and not experience seismic drop offs like they did in the 3rd period, they CAN win this series.
They are a different team than during the season.
The massive challenge is how the team comes out and performs on Wednesday. We need the win, and we need the same drive as shown in Game 1.
GO RED!!!
I would’ve rather gotten beat 6 to 0 than to lose like that. There are no moral losses in the playoffs. A game like this during the regular season probably gives you something to build on. This game actually creates doubt. No matter what the lead, especially late in any given period, Allen is susceptible to Panic when handling the puck. That has been the number one weakness of our team all year long. Allen wasted the opportunity to surprise Idaho with their different team. Idaho will not be surprised on Wednesday. I completely disagree with the assertion that we need to just score 7 or eight goals every game. That will not work against Idaho They can play any kind of game you want to play. If we are going to win on Wednesday, we need a lower scoring game, and we need to dominate possession and puck control in our own zone.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that the game stats show just how many non-Quality Shots we took, and still scored five goals. Compared to how many quality shots Idaho took to score 6. It means we have a better goalie than them. Which means we need to limit their shots, which means we need to control the puck in the neutral zone and our own zone. That will surprise the hell out of Idaho on Wednesday.
Then looking forward if we mix it up from game to game, we could surprise the hell out of them with trying to play run and gun at some point.
Maybe I’m being overs-simplistic, but from a stupid fan’s perspective, we look predictable, constantly. Our best streak at the end of the year came when we handled the puck, we forchecked, and we won mostly lower scoring games.
-Bobby 226
Because I posted this, and because I am constantly wrong about everything(ask my wife), it probably means we are either going to lose on Wednesday 1-0, or win 9-8. Can we just get three playoff games in Allen? That’s all I’m asking for.
Delete-Bobby 226