The boxscore says the Allen Americans beat the Idaho Steelheads 4-3 in overtime on Sunday to take a commanding 3-0 series lead, but that doesn't tell the story.
- For a while, it looked like the game belonged to Idaho. Inside the sold-out Idaho Central Arena, the Americans found themselves in the worst kind of playoff trouble, down 3-0 in the first period on the road, chasing a game that seemed to be slipping further away with every shift.
- Losing 3-0 anytime in a playoff game is not a good sign. Losing 3-0 on the road usually means defeat. Not with this Allen team that is 14-0-1-0 in its last 15 games. Midway through the second period, the tone of the game changed, not gradually, but abruptly. In just 59 seconds, Allen scored twice, slashing Idaho's comfortable 3-0 lead to 3-2 before the building could fully process what had just happened. This sudden burst of scoring didn't just change the scoreboard; it changed the psychology of the game. A deficit that once felt safe suddenly felt fragile.
- Danny Katic scored the first goal, and as usual, it was from the blue paint. It was his 40th goal of the season. Assists went to Landon Hookey and Michael Gildon. Sam Sedley didn't get an assist but made the play with a diving save at the blueline to keep the puck in the offensive zone. Djibril Touré scored the second goal on a nifty give-and-go with Jax Bubois, with all kinds of traffic in front of the net.
- The second period ended with Idaho leading 3-2, and there was still a daunting task ahead for the Americans. For reference, when Allen had a second-period lead during the regular season, their record was 30-0-2-0. Plus, in the current playoffs, no team had trailed after the second period and gone on to win the game (12-0-0-0).
- It didn't take long in the third period, just 2:25, for Allen to complete the climb, tying the game 3-3 and turning a once-comfortable Idaho lead into a dead-even fight. Katic made a stretch pass to Watts to spring him on an odd-man rush with Gildon. The defenseman gave Watts an open shot, and he buried it.
- There was no scoring for the remaining 17:35 of the game. Jackson Parsons, who replaced Brett Mirwald at the start of the second period, made some great saves to help Allen get the game to overtime. Four minutes into overtime, Colby McAuley deflected a Sam Sedley shot from the point into the net for the game winner. It was a great deflection by Colby as he was at the faceoff dot when he tipped the shot. When the puck hit the net, the comeback was no longer improbable; it was complete.
- Here are the goal scorers with totals, including the regular season. Katic (40), Touré (1), Watts (27), and McAuley (27). The video highlights show some great effort, passes, and shots that led to goals. Take some time to watch these a few times and appreciate the great plays that led to one of the more memorable and critical playoff wins in recent years. https://echl.com/videos/allen-americans-vs-idaho-steelheads-apr-26-2026-game-3
- Here are the game recaps from both teams:
- Allen Americans: "Americans Take 3-0 Series Lead with OT Winner." https://allenamericans.com/news/2026/04/game-recap-americans-take-3-0-series-lead-with-ot-winner
- Idaho Steelheads: "Steelheads Fall Into 3-0 Series Hole With Game 3 Overtime Loss." https://allenamericans.com/news/2026/04/game-recap-americans-take-3-0-series-lead-with-ot-winner
- There is no rest for the weary, as game four of this playoff marathon is tonight (8:10 pm CDT). Allen has a chance to sweep the series and get some much-needed rest before round two. The fourth win in a series is always difficult, and you know the Steelheads don't want to get swept at home. The Americans defied the odds yesterday, coming back from a 3-0 deficit. That won't happen again. Allen needs a much better start tonight, and can't afford to play from behind. Allen scored a power play goal, but struggled getting the puck in the zone and getting shots on goal.
- I had a chance to check in with Coach Martinson this morning to get his take on the games and series.
"I felt we could come back even when we fell behind 3-0 because we have done it before this season. It is more difficult on the road against a good playoff team, but I did feel like we could come back and win it."
"The shots from our analytics software show Idaho had a big first period (13-9) because they had three power plays. The shots were 12-9 in the second period. Where we got outshot mainly was the third period (11-6)."
"We had a minute more of puck possession even-strength. The shots on goal, even-strength were 27-24. The big difference in shots on goal was the power play; they outshot us 11-1. Some of that is because they had more power plays, but sometimes we don't shoot the puck enough on the power play. We will make some adjustments to the power play tonight."
"Idaho's defense played pretty solid last night. To be successful tonight, we have to work hard, get pucks in deep, win battles for pucks, and get movement in the offensive zone. We are a bigger team, so getting pucks in deep and working the walls is to our advantage in the offensive zone."
"We have a lot of depth, and those guys that haven't been scoring just need to stay positive as they are ready to break out. We have more goals in the tank."
"We can't give up power plays in the first period and let them get off to a good start. I thought we were much more disciplined last night, because we didn't want to take penalties. It is frustrating when our player responds after an obvious penalty isn't called and then takes a retaliation penalty. Players who instigate something and then hide behind the officials should be given penalties. They initiate and then stop, and it has worked in their favor the whole series. When challenged, they will never drop the gloves."
"I will have to check in with the players this morning before determining the lineup for tonight. We may have some changes."
UPDATE
OTHER COMMENTS
- If Allen happens to wrap up this series tonight or tomorrow, there will be a long layoff before the start of round two. The first round series could go until May 6th, which is a Wednesday, so the second rounds will likely start the following Friday or Saturday (May 8 or 9). Allen may be in one of those rest vs rust dilemmas if they can win the game tonight.
- Brayden Watts (3G, 2A) and Danny Katic (2G, 3A) are leading a contingent of seven Allen players averaging 1.00+ points per game after three playoff games. Watts and Katic are averaging 1.67 points per game. Watts is on a 12-game points streak dating back to April 2. Four Allen players (Watts, Katic, Sedley, Hookey) have points in all three playoff games.
- Allen at Idaho was the only game on the schedule yesterday. It is not much better tonight, with just three games. Joining Allen at Idaho will be South Carolina at Atlanta and Toledo at Bloomington. Here is the ECHL Today with the previews: https://echl.com/news/2026/04/echl-today-april-27
DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL stats post today is about shots. Notice Allen appears on both lists. Another example of the turnaround from last season to this season. Last season, Allen set an all-time record for fewest shots in a game. This season, the Americans had the most shots in a game, and it wasn't even an overtime game:
Katic skating past the Allen bench giving fist bumps after a goal and then continuing to Idaho’s bench, where no fist bumps were forthcoming was a classic 😁
ReplyDeleteThen an Idaho player, the dirty dog #7 Mitch Wahl, slashes at Katic’s leg in front of a linesman (#51 Guillaume Ouellet) and referee (#31 Nolan Bloyer) …. Result: No Call.
We will win, regardless as to the lack of transparency and consistency in the calls.
Reading your description of last night's game gave me goosebumps again! That game was wild. This year reminds me of the long, slow climb by St Louis in 2019. Excited as to what the guys bring to the table tonight. It's gonna be oh so good!!! Let's go #RedRedRed!!! #WeBelieve
ReplyDeleteIf you're not watching this team on Flo or listening on Mixlr, you're missing out. This team is exciting. 14-0-1-0 in its last 15 games, wow!
ReplyDeleteThe ability for this team to overcome extreme adversity is WILD and AWESOME! There are zero boundaries when they put their mind to it! I cannot wait to see tonight’s game as I’m sure it will be great! Here’s hoping they earn a well deserved rest before the next series!
ReplyDeleteDoes Flo provide a replay of the game? Or is it only live?
ReplyDeleteLive and Replay.
DeleteBest $150 you'll spend each year.
Game right now = 😖 ouch Let’s go Eed and fight back.
ReplyDeleteRed. 😆
Delete