It was predictable a tired Allen Americans team would travel to Wichita overnight on Saturday to take on a rested Wichita Thunder team on Sunday afternoon would end in defeat. The end result was Allen got doubled up in shots (42-21) and the Americans were shutout (2-0) for the ninth time this season. The Americans finished the season series against Wichita with a record of 3-8-2-0 (.308).
- Despite the outcome in Wichita, if you watched the game, the team played hard and were still in the game until the Thunder scored a power play goal late in the third period to take a 2-0 lead. Goalie Dylan Myskiw, playing his first game for Allen, kept the Americans in the game stopping 40 of 42 shots for a .952 save percentage.
- If you want the blow by blow recap of the game, here are the recaps from both teams:
- Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/news/2025/04/game-recap
- Wichita Thunder: https://wichitathunder.com/news/2025/04/thunder-closes-home-schedule-with-2-0-win-vs-allen
- I swapped messages with coach Ferguson after the game and asked him one question:
Q: I know losing sucks, getting doubled up on shots sucks, getting shutout sucks and moral victories suck, but you must be proud of the effort your team gave you today under tough circumstances, your thoughts?
A: I am extremely proud of our group today. We were dealt the hand with the schedule makers and other circumstances (team had hotel issues) and didn't let it affect our game. We knew this was a playoff game for Wichita and we matched their intensity. Myskiw stood tall in net and gave us a chance. We had our chances, including two power play opportunities early in the third period. We just came up short today.
- The season is now down to three home games this week (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday) against the Tulsa Oilers, as another desperate team comes to Allen. Ironically, Allen's last seven games of the season have been against the three teams battling for two playoff spots. Tulsa, Wichita and Idaho are all in playoff mode trying to make the playoffs.. Here is how the final seven games are going:
- April 1: 3-2 win over Tulsa at home
- April 4: 7-3 loss to Idaho at home
- April 5: 7-2 loss to Idaho at home
- April 6: 2-0 loss to Wichita on the road
- April 9: ???? Tulsa at home
- April 11: ???? Tulsa at home
- April 12: ???? Tulsa at home
- Allen has plenty to play for in addition to a direct impact on the teams making the Kelly Cup playoffs. The stats below show how close Allen is to making the record book in several categories. Here is a list of the stats for losing/ineptness and Allen's current number. These aren't the all-time records, but the number to make the all-time record book list (usually the top 6-10 depending on the category).
- Fewest points - 39 makes the the list, Allen has 43.
- Lowest point percentage - .271 makes the list, Allen at .312.
- *Fewest wins - 16 makes the list, Allen has 16.
- *Fewest home wins - 9 makes the list, Allen has 7.
- Fewest road wins - 5 makes the list, Allen has 9.
- Most losses - 49 makes the list, Allen has 42.
- *Most home losses - 24 makes the list, Allen has 21.
- Most road losses - 27 makes the list, Allen has 21.
- Longest winless streak - 15 makes the list, Allen had 12.
- Longest home winless streak - 12 makes the list, Allen had 10.
- Longest road winless streak - 18 makes the list, Allen had 12.
- *Fewest goals scored - 168 makes the list, Allen has 166.
- Lowest goal per game average - 2.33 makes the list, Allen at 2.41
- *Fewest shots on goal one game - Allen has the all-time record of 7, vs Indy (12/13/24).
- *Most games shutout - 9 makes the list, Allen has 9.
OTHER COMMENTS
- The EIHL (Great Britain) playoff teams are set. The first round is a best of two with total goals the tiebreaker. The first round is this weekend. Here are the first round match ups, with seeding and former Allen players on the rosters:
- #1 Belfast - Scott Conway
- #8 Dundee - Kameron Kielly
- #2 Sheffield - Colton Saucerman, Dominic Cormier, Daniel Leavens, Patrick Watling
- #7 Glasgow - Liam Finlay
- #3 Nottingham - Tim Doherty
- #6 Guilford - Travis Brown
- #4 Cardiff - None
- #5 Coventry - Terrance Amorosa
- The three Mountain Division teams in the playoff race seem to switch places after every game. Yesterday Idaho and Wichita won while Tulsa lost. The loss dropped Tulsa from third place to fifth place. It will be easy to track the playoff race this week because all three teams play three games, all on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and all against the same team. Here is the schedule:
- Tulsa plays st Allen
- Wichita plays at Tahoe
- Idaho plays Kansas City at home
- 8-2-0-0 - Idaho
- 6-4-0-0 - Wichita
- 3-7-0-0 - Tulsa
- 125 points - Chad Costello (2014-15)
- 103 points - Chad Costello (2015-16)
- 122 points - Chad Costello (2016-17)
- 105 points - Hank Crone (2022-23)
I may have missed it, but what is the records for most times shut out in a season?
ReplyDeleteNever mind, I overlooked it the first time. And yes, I am replying to my own comment!
DeleteWhat is Watt's split for points for the first 36 games of the season and the 33 so far on the back half? I suspect it is polarizing.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see the following in the next 30 days:
ReplyDelete- Commitment moving forward from ownership, what's going to change
- JM's commitment to the team
- Coach plan
- Ferguson plan
- Who do we want to come back
- What can be improved from a Hockey Ops perspective?
- Game Day, more change is needed. As someone posted recently, get the in game interviews on the big screen, pregame show a Ferguson/Player interview, show some happenings.... before the players hit the ice.
- Bring back Red Kingdom, that was so popular
- Work with the City of Allen to improve the overall food experience. It's bad, real bad. Food is subpar, service is way below subpar, there are some exceptions but there is no way a leader is managing all of this.
- More interaction with the team, don't hide the players.
- Settle the damn Costello lawsuit
- Allow for mechanisms for former players to come back more often, fix things with Costello and Gens so maybe one will attend a game (Gens is local still).
- Weekly or Monthly emails in season to Patriot Club Members from JM with "President's Message", include something from Players, Dutes, Miletich, Lee Hastings ... I get nothing, except game ticket solicitation.
- Improve the entertainment, action and fun during the 1st and 2nd intermission. Add some helmets, get the puck in there and get a 50% off coupon for the team store, think outside the box, maybe a signed puck.
- Negotiate with the City of Allen to expand the team store, it's too crowded most of the time.
- Glow sticks are a must. They look great.
- Track the Buy 1, Get 1 free I hope you gave to the kids during the school game ... what is the take rate? How can we do better? What is the buy in from the schools to have a link in newsletters/emails to future Allen Americans games and tickets?
- Can we improve the broadcast and have Tommy and Maurice do a pre game that is on the PA in the arena before the players warm up? Again, think outside the box.
There's so much more. Step up. Take notice what other teams are doing pre game, during the game, see what gets kids excited.
I would like to know what the plan is with our AHL/NHL affiliate and if it remains Tucson/Utah, what will change for next season?
DeleteWells was a constant early on when we delivered nothing, Gavin being out injured wasn't given the opportunity he deserves.
Thornton was inconsistent, allowing Richardson to morph into our #1 Goalie. We need more from Tucson. We need more from Utah. Allow our team to interact pre season and train on their ice.
In the next 30 days? In the next 8 days, I will be locked into another season with my tickets or locked out because I still haven't committed 100%. But I have to be in or out in a week. How about hearing SOMETHING within the next week instead of the next month? Silence tells me you have no plans
DeleteIf you're hoping change will occur inside of 8 days, you're clutching at straws. You are either onboard or not. Change will take months. I believe changes will be made. Myles is soon all in on the Americans.
DeleteGreat post. Very well written and to the point.
DeleteBut ultimately - new ownership is needed.
Agree, great post. Most of these things are little or no cost. Imagine if we could get 100 ideas to improve the game experience and be able to implement them to fill the Rink of Red.
DeleteJust sayin
This is a good start! Will they follow through? All this does not matter without a proven winning Coach/GM who can recruit quality players and implement a winning system and winning mindset. Who could that be?
DeleteThe owners/mangers need to strive to communicate more effectively with the fans and general public utilizing e-mail, texting as well as social media. Keeping in mind that not everyone has social media accounts. Social media cannot be the only form of communication to get the news out! Wake Up!
DeleteLets win the last 3 games
ReplyDeleteThat's cute
DeleteI'm thinking if you put down money on that you would have a lot of takers. This team is not beating a decent team 3 games in a row...much less once.
DeleteDidn't we beat Tulsa last week?
DeleteOh wait your right. One win in like 15 games...how could we miss that???
DeleteSure did.
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