The Allen Americans entered this week as the third-ranked offense in the ECHL, but have managed a total of one goal in two games. Last night, the Americans were shut out 2-0 by the Tulsa Oilers despite putting 44 shots on goal. At Allen's season-long shooting percentage (10.3%), 44 shots would normally yield four or five goals.
- The loss was eerily similar to Allen's 2-1 loss on Wednesday. In both games, the Americans gave up the first goal and found themselves trailing by a goal after the second period. Both nights, the Americans dominated the third period, but could not score the equalizer. Last night, Allen outshot Tulsa 23-7 in the third period; only twice all season has an ECHL team had more third-period shots. Last night's loss was even more painful because Tulsa was ranked #28 in goals allowed, giving up an average of 3.8 goals per game.
- What really hurt Allen was their power play. They had five chances, compared to just one for Tulsa, and the Americans were blanked. The Allen power play had scored at least one power-play goal in the last six games against Tulsa.
- Jaxson Parsons was great in goal for the second time this week and has two losses to show for his effort. Last night, he stopped 22 of 23 shots, including a penalty shot. Allowing one goal (the 2nd was an empty net) should earn a victory. His save percentage was .957.
- In Allen's last four games, one team has scored first, led after the second period, and won the special teams battle. Unfortunately, in the last two games, it has been Allen's opponent. The 2-0 loss to Tulsa last night was just the second time the Americans have been shut out this season. Too bad it was against the worst team in the ECHL. What is even worse is that Tulsa has lost 12 of its last 14 games dating back to January 4. The two wins both came at the expense of the Allen Americans.
- Here are the game recaps from both teams and the video highlights:
- Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/news/2026/02/game-recap-americans-blanked-2-0-by-tulsa
- Tulsa Oilers: https://tulsaoilers.com/news/2026/02/buteyets-halts-44-lagrone-registers-100th-echl-point-as-oilers-blank-americans
- Video highlights: https://echl.com/videos/allen-americans-vs-tulsa-oilers-feb-13-2026
- The formula for success tonight is straightforward. Get off to a better start by scoring the first goal. Don't wait until the third period to put the pressure on Tulsa. In the two games this week, Allen has more shots in the third period (42) than in the first two periods combined (37). The Americans outshot Wichita 18-2 on Wednesday and Tulsa 23-7 last night. The Americans are taking plenty of shots, they need to get more of them earlier in the game, and they need to finish.
- Special teams have been the secret sauce for Allen over the last couple of months. The Americans were 0-5 last night on the power play; they definitely need a power play goal tonight. Allen stayed out of the penalty box last night, killing the only power play opportunity Tulsa had.
MARTINSON COMMENTS
I had the chance to check in with Coach Martinson this morning, and this is what he had to say:
"Once I get the analytics stats, I am sure it will show more than 50 shots. I told the guys after the game to stay positive, and the goals will come."
"We had a lot of great scoring chances. The #1 star for Tulsa was the goalie. He stood on his head several times in the game."
"Stange was good, especially considering he hasn't been playing much recently. He had some great chances, and he moves the puck. I will switch a couple of guys around tonight to help get us going."
"We have to have better first periods. I am not sure if it is related to the time on the bus or not skating, but we need to be ready to go."
"Unfortunately, our power play isn't clicking right now, but we had some good opportunities. Some shots were saved, and some went over the net."
"Simmons-Fischer got boarded headfirst into the boards, and all that was called was a two-minute penalty. He will not play today."
"I will give Marco one more day of rest. Parsons will play again tonight, and Marco will play Sunday afternoon."
OTHER COMMENTS
- Allen wasn't the only team shutout last night. Savannah, Worcester, and Wheeling joined the Americans in the skunk fest. In the Mountain Division, the teams even with and just behind Allen in the standings (Tahoe & Wichita) also lost. The other five division teams won last night: Kansas City, Idaho, Rapid City, Utah, and Tulsa. Here are the standings by points with points percentage in parentheses:
- 74 points - Kansas City (.804)
- 68 points - Idaho (.723)
- 52 points - Allen (.565)
- 52 points - Tahoe (.553)
- 45 points - Wichita (.511)
- 43 points - Rapid City (.478)
- 41 points - Utah (.436)
- 29 points - Tulsa (.337)
- Kansas City and Idaho are running off and hiding from the other six teams in the Mountain Division. The only question is which team wins the division. Kansas City has won 21 of its last 22 games, but hasn't been able to shake Idaho. The Steelheads are six points behind. They play each other three times in Idaho on April 1, 3, and 4, and it shapes up to be a key series. Here are the points earned by the Mountain Division teams in the last 10 games (maximum points possible is 20).
- 19 points - Idaho
- 18 points - Kansas City
- 10 points - Wichita
- 10 points - Utah
- 9 points - Allen
- 8 points - Rapid City
- 7 points - Tahoe
- 7 points - Tulsa
- It is another full schedule in the ECHL tonight with all 30 teams in action. The highlight game, if you are surfing FloHockey tonight, is Reading at Wheeling, the top two teams in the North Division. Here is the ECHL Today with all of the previews. https://echl.com/news/2026/02/echl-today-feb-14
DID YOU KNOW: Allen wasn't the only team struggling to score goals last night. The 15 losing teams last night averaged less than two goals per game:
Great so we’ll lose to a 13 win team again.
ReplyDeleteWow. Tony Robbins watch out…this motivator is on your heels
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