Different Perspectives Today - Allen vs Kansas City

 

The blog this morning is unique from a few perspectives:

• First and foremost it is the first blog since hearing a good friend and Allen Americans super fan Ed Bohnemann passed away yesterday. For a lot of years, Ed and I were the eyes and ears for each other as to what was happening at practice. Since we were both retired we made practice quite frequently and if one of us missed the other would share what they saw in a text message. Ed was an early riser like me and became a fact checker for the blog, which I very much appreciated. Ed and his wife Sheri did a lot to help players and maintained many friendships long after they left the Americans. Ed will be missed. 
• This blog is also unique because I am writing it on my IPad in Washington, DC. Our 3 1/2 year old granddaughter (our only grandchild) has her first dance recital today, performing in a local festival. We weren’t going to miss that despite the playoff schedule.
• Today is also unique because the game tonight is and end of the season elimination game, win or go home.
• I decided to make this blog even more unique, by asking ChatGPT to help write the story. Here is what I got.

The season is hanging by a skate lace for the Allen Americans tonight. Down 3-0 in the best-of-seven series against the ECHL’s regular-season juggernaut, Kansas City Mavericks, who are now the only undefeated playoff team (7-0). Allen faces the hockey equivalent of trying to climb Mt. Everest in flip-flops (AI humor, not mine). 

The good news? History says game four is often the toughest one to win for a team holding a 3-0 lead. Case in point, the other two 3-0 teams in the playoffs (Florida & Fort Wayne) lost game four last night. The bad news? Kansas City hasn’t exactly looked interested in history lessons the postseason.

Allen nearly stole the first two games in Kansas City, falling 2-1 and 1-0 in two tight checking grinders. The came game three at home, when the Americans finally rediscovered their high-powered offense and scored four goals —- only to discover their defense had apparently taken the night off and left no forwarding address in a 7-4 loss. 

- As Coach Martinson said after the game on Wednesday,  “We just have to get the first one,” Tonight is the perfect opportunity in game four. Last night the two other 3-0 teams lost. South Carolina beat Florida 3-1 and Toledo beat Fort Wayne 3-2 in overtime. Kansas City is the only remaking undefeated team. 

- Allen had a great start on Wednesday scoring 26 seconds after the opening puck drop. It didn’t work in Allen’s favor but the alternate is even worse. Kansas City is 5-0 in the playoffs when they score first, but then again they are 2-0 when they give up the first goal. It is clear against a team like Kansas City playing from behind is a losing proposition. 

- The most important key tonight is improving team defense. It will be a long night if the Americans surrender odd man rushes and breakaways anywhere close to Wednesday. You have to believe that will not happen again. 

OTHER COMMENTS

- There are three games on the schedule tonight, and all three could end up with teams advancing to the Conference Finals. Maine leads Wheeling 3-2, Fort Wayne leads Toledo 3-1, and Kansas City leads Allen 3-0. The teams trailing in the series are all at home. Here is the ECHL Today with the previews. https://echl.com/news/2026/05/echl-today-may-16

- What are the historical odds of Allen winning tonight in their situation (down 3-0, game 4, at home)? Based on NHL data it is 38%. Another positive is Allen hasn’t lost four straight games since November. 

- There has been 58 playoff games thus far and they have resulted in four hat tricks. In the odd stats of the day, Allen has been involved in three of them. Danny Katic scored the first one against Idaho. On Wednesday, Allen gave up two hat tricks (Bobo Carpenter & Luke Loheit). 

- I have seen numerous comments on the blog that the Allen Americans have been sold or are for sale. I do talk to the Americans leadership on a regular basis and to Myles Jack periodically and neither of these  rumors are true. You never know what might happen in the future, but this are bad rumors.

DID YOU KNOW: No matter what happens in the series with Kansas City, Coach Martinson will end the playoffs as ECHL #1 all-time (tied) in playoff appearance, #2 all-time in playoff games coached, #2 all-time in playoff wins. He is one of a eight coaches in the 38 year history of the ECHL to have won multiple championships. 

Martinson’s four straight professional championships in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 has rarely been accomplished. NHL legendary coaches like Toe Blake, Scotty Bowman and Al Arbour have done it.

I would argue it is much tougher in minor league hockey with one year contracts, low salary cap, lots of turnover and constant call ups to the AHL. plus his final two championships came immediately after Allen moved into the ECHL

Got to run or going to be late for the dance recital. I apologize for any errors from not proofreading.