Americans Storm The Thunder & Other Thoughts

With Two Goals And An Assist Brian McMillin Was Named #1 Star Of The Game - photo by SceneByKimberly.com

Brian McMillin led the way last night as the Allen Americans beat the Wichita Thunder 6-2. I saw the game described as a statement game, the best two points of the year, the most important game of the year, and the most impressive win of the year.  When you beat the team with the best home record (24-5-2) in the league after they just beat you in your building, you are playing in a close to sold out arena (7212), before the fans voted the most annoying in the league, you are playing for first place, and you silence the crowd you have accomplished something. But with all that said, the win won't mean anything unless the team comes back tonight with another great effort.

- How about the 3M boys from Minnesota (McMillin, McKenzie, & Montgomery) who all had a great game last night. They are used to cranking it up this time of year from their college days. And how about on the same night Brian McMillin is the number one star of the game his unranked  Colorado College Tigers (CC) who finished 8th in the 12 team league,  score an upset for the second game in a row (University of North Dakota Thursday and University of Minnesota Friday). CC will meet the University of Wisconsin tonight for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association title which is the last WCHA title as the league, which was started in 1951, is breaking up after this year.

- The Americans have out shot their opponents in the last three games by a total of 60 shots (122-62). Just so happens Todd Robinson arrived three games ago.

- Speaking of Robinson he has seven points (1 goal & 6 assists) in the three games he has played for Allen.

- Happy birthday to Chris Doyle who celebrated his 23rd birthday yesterday. Next up is Trevor Hendrikx who turns 28 on Friday (3/29).

- The battle for 6th, 7th, and 8th in the league continues between Quad City (70 points), Arizona (69 points) and Denver (69 points) as all three won last night. Quad City has the advantage as they are up by one point and have a game in hand over the other two. These three team are going to be a handful in the playoffs for the teams at the top. Quad City has the best record in the league in March and is 8-2 in their last ten games while Arizona is 6-2-2 and Denver is 4-4-2.

- I am sure most of you are aware of this but in case you are not you can see many of the game video highlights  by clicking on the "game live" under the CHL scoreboard. In addition to the goals from last night you can see how close Brian McMillin came to getting a hat trick as his shot barely missed the open net after Wichita pulled their goalie.

- It will be a tough turnaround for tonight's game as the team had a long ride home last night. If it is any consolation Missouri had about three hours further to travel than the Americans after beating Tulsa 5-1 at home last night.

- Speaking of tough turn arounds, Tommy Daniels gets the "above and beyond the call of duty" award as he was driving Todd Robinson's car back to Allen after the game last night so Todd could get some sleep on the bus on the way home. Todd went back to Evansville to retrieve his car and belongings after the Tuesday game in Allen and met the team in Wichita. Short night for Tommy. Hope all went well.

- Allen is 3-2 against Missouri this year with the Mavericks winning the first two games (November & December) and the Americans winning the last three (February & March).

- Look for special teams to make the difference tonight as Allen has the best penalty kill in the league while Missouri has the worst.

- I noticed Kevin Curtis, the referee who was injured (concussion) during a game at the Allen Event Center on March 1st returned last night as he worked the Missouri vs Tulsa game. Good to see Kevin back on the ice.

Aaron Dell Wins CHL Outstanding Goalie Award

Aaron Dell Wins Outstanding Goalie Award - photo by chlphotos.com

Allen’s Aaron Dell Wins Scott Brower Award

GLENDALE, AZ (March 22, 2013) – The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today that Aaron Dell of the Allen Americans has been named the recipient of the 2012-13 Central Hockey League’s Most Outstanding Goaltender award (Scott Brower Award).

The award is ‘presented annually to the Central Hockey League’s most outstanding goaltender, in memory of Scott Brower, former CHL goaltender and team staff member.’  Voting was done by CHL head coaches, communications departments and selected media members in each market. 

In what turned out to be a very close race, Dell earned 22 of the 44 votes on the ballots retuned narrowly edging out Fort Worth’s Kristofer Westblom who finished with 17 votes.  Earlier this week, Dell was named a member of the CHL All-Rookie Team and All-CHL Team and was the runner-up to Mike Hellyer (QDC) for CHL Rookie of the Year.  The other nominees for the top goaltender award were Rapid City’s Tim Boron, Denver’s Kieran Millan and Wichita’s Torrie Jung.

Dell, 23, has had an outstanding season that has had him at or near the top in league wins, goals against average and save percentage all season long.  Currently, the Airdire, Alberta native is 20-10-6 with a league-best 2.26 goals against average and a .919 save percentage (second in the league).  The rookie’s three shutouts are second most in the league and the youngster has carried quite a workload with the second highest minutes in the CHL (2175:25).

The former University of North Dakota star began his pro career with wins in 12 of his first 16 decisions allowing three goals or fewer in 15 of those 16 contests.  Dell shares his collegiate lineage with the person this award is named after, Scott Brower, who attended and stared at North Dakota from 1984-1988. 

The CHL Joe Burton Scoring Championship will be determined at the conclusion of the regular season on Sunday and the CHL Most Valuable Player recipient will be announced on Monday, March 25.

CHL Most Outstanding Goaltender (winners since 2001)
2012-13 – Aaron Dell (Allen)
2011-12 – Mark Guggenberger (Texas)
2010-11 – Robby Nolan (Missouri)
2009-10 – Joel Martin (Odessa)
2008-09 – Kevin Beech (Mississippi)
2007-08 – John DeCaro (Bossier-Shreveport)
2006-07 – John DeCaro (Bossier-Shreveport)
2005-06 – Ken Carroll (Bossier-Shreveport)
2004-05 – Tyler Weiman (Colorado)
2003-04 – Scott Reid (San Angelo)
2002-03 – Matt Barnes (Austin)
2001-02 – Mike Gorman (Odessa)

2012-13 CHL Awards that have already been announced are:
CHL Athletic Trainer of the Year – Vince Fedorowich, Arizona Sundogs
CHL Gunner Garrett Equipment Manager of the Year – Romeo Vivit, Rapid City Rush
CHL All-Rookie Team – Aaron Dell (ALN), Greger Hanson (WIC), Mike Hellyer (QDC), Matt McCready (ARZ), Sy Nutkevitch (FTW) and Daniel Spivak (FTW) 
All-CHL Team – Aaron Dell (ALN), A.J. Gale (DEN), Mickey Lang (QDC), Tyler Ludwig (ALN), Sebastien Thinel (MIZ) and Kevin Young (WIC)
CHL Man of the Year – Travis Wight, Wichita Thunder
CHL Rookie of the Year – Mike Hellyer, Quad City Mallards 
CHL Coach of the Year – Dan Wildfong, Fort Worth Brahmas
CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman  - Kevin Young, Wichita Thunder

Notes From Practice & Pineault Fundraiser

Just returned from practice and not much to report. The team was headed for lunch (I heard something about Five Pie Pizza) and then hitting the road for the close to six hour trip to Wichita.

- Jim Mckenzie was a full participant in practice so I assume he is good to go for Friday night.

- Anthony Maiani is not ready to go so Saturday would be best case scenario for him and as coach Martinson said at the press conference on Tuesday we may not see Anthony until playoffs.

- Todd Robinson was not at practice as he is back in Evansville picking up some of his belongings. He will meet the team in Wichita.

- Talked briefly to Adam Pineault after practice and he asked me to let eveyone know about a fundraiser he is putting together for 21 year old Martine Durelle, who is battling the same kind of cancer and treatment Monique Pineault has dealt with.  Adam and Monique know all to well how hard it can be worrying about treatments as well as all of the financial burdens. They are just putting the details together put there will be an auction and/or raffle during the first two playoff games. If anyone reading this can help Adam and Monique out by donating any items ( game used jerseys, gift certificates, services etc.) to this effort please let me know. It would go to a great cause.

Martine Durelle

- For those of you in the area I would like to invite you to our fan club meeting next Tuesday, March 26th from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. The meeting will take place in the ballroom at Heritage Ranch and our special guest will be legendary coach, Bill McDonald, Special Advisor to the Americans, who will be talking about the Americans, the upcoming playoffs, and all things hockey. Plenty of time for questions and discussion. It will be both fun and informative. We will also have a drawing at the end of the meeting for playoff tickets. We will be giving away eight pair of tickets to the first round of the playoffs. Heritage Ranch is located about five miles east of the Allen Event Center on Stacy Road.

11 Americans Statistical Leaders

Jamie Schaafsma Leads The Team In Four Categories - photo by chlphotos.com

I plan on attending practice today and will post any news I pick up but thought I would post our team leaders in various statistical categories as we head into the last weekend of regular season. In case you didn't notice Fort Worth lost to Arizona 6-2 last night. While the Brahmas loss doesn't clinch second place for Allen it would take the Americans losing their last three games and Ft. Worth winning their last two games (in Arizona) for the Americans to finish third.

Here we go:

TEAM
Record: 37-17-9 (1st)
Goals For: 201 (5th)
Goals Against: 168 (1st)
Penalty Minutes 1535 (1st by over 400 minutes)
Power Play: 20.55% (3rd)
PPSSL*: 14.12% (10th)   *power play since Skinner left
Penalty Kill: 85.80% (1st)
Short Handed Goals Against: 8 (tied 3rd)
Short Handed Goals For: 7 (tied 3rd)
Attendance: 4119 (4th)

INDIVIDUAL
Goals: Jamie Schaafsma: 24 - (tied 14th in league)
Assists: Tyler Ludwig: 40 - (tied 7th)
Points: Anthony Maiani: 55 - (15th)
Plus/Minus: Maiani & Bootland: +14 - (tied 10th)
PIM: Garrett Clarke: 221 - (3rd)
Game Winning Goals: Jamie Schaafsma: (tied 3rd)
Shots: Jamie Schaafsma: 185 - (16th)
Shooting Percentage: Scott Howes 28% - (2nd)
3 Stars Leader: Jamie Schaafsma 46 points -  (6th)
Goals Against Average: Aaron Dell 2.26 - (1st)
Save Percentage: Aaron Dell 91.9% - (2nd)

Dell Misses Rookie of Year by One Vote

Aaron Dell Misses Rookie Of The Year Honors By One Vote - Photo by chlphotos.com

Mike Hellyer Named CHL Rookie of the Year

Quad City’s Mike Hellyer Named CHL Rookie of the Year

GLENDALE, AZ (March 20, 2013) – The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today that Quad City Mallards forward Mike Hellyer
has been selected the recipient of the 2012-13 Central Hockey League Rookie of the Year award following balloting among CHL head coaches, communications departments and selected media members in CHL markets. 

The Rookie of the Year award is ‘presented annually to the Central Hockey League player adjudged to be the most proficient in his first year of professional competition.’

In the closest vote in the history of the award, Hellyer won by just one vote receiving 15 of the 44 votes cast, while Allen goaltender Aaron Dell received 14 votes.  The other finalists were Greger Hanson (WIC), Kenton Miller (MIZ) and Sy Nutkevitch (FTW).  

The Brandon, Manitoba native leads all rookies in scoring with 60 points (23-37=60) and is tied for second among all first year players with a +13 plus/minus rating.  Earlier this week, the 5-9, 170-pound rookie was named a forward on the CHL All-Rookie Team.

Martinson Post Game Comments & Is The Party Over?

Turn Out The Lights, Is The Party Over? - photo SceneByKimberly.com

Of course the party is not over, it has just begun but it was difficult getting rejected by the best looking team at the CHL party last night. The Americans wasted a great comeback to lose to Whichta 4-3 with the game winner coming with just over a minute left in the game. There were a lot of similarities with the loss to Ft. Worth on Sunday. A very important game in the race for first place, playing at home, out shooting the opponent (43-19) and loosing the game.

We have been at this point several times before this year where it appeared we might be heading for second place and have always risen to the occasion . First place is still totally in control of the Americans. Is the path more difficult, yes but this team has shown time and again it can get the job done under adversity.

Here are some of Coach Martinson's post game comments:

- I was disappointed in the start of the game as we gave up a couple of soft plays and you can't give Wichita an inch. Every time we were soft they put the puck in the net.

- I changed goalies even though it wasn't really our goalies fault and then we had some guys go really hard and get us back in the game. Wichita was ripe for the picking but our veterans did not step up. We need our veterans guys to step up and that hasn't happened the last few games.

- We went brain dead on the power play as we got away from some of the things we had been working on.

- I thought Baldwin played great tonight and I think he is going to help us. He is good at blocking shots and moving guys out.
 
- Robinson has made our power play a lot better. When we got the puck to him things happened and when we got away from that it didn't. I think some of our guys are more worried about how much power play time they are getting rather doing everything they can to help win the game.

- McKenzie may play this weekend but don't look for Maiani to play until the first round of the playoffs.

- Kerbashian is suspended for three games. A bad time of the year to spear somebody. He won't be back until the weekend.

- We miss the speed of McKenzie, Maiani, & Kerbashian in a game like tonight.

- I have one amateur signed who will be here this weekend but he can't play until the playoffs. I am waiting to see what else happens before I sign another amateur.

- Doesn't look like the Europeans players we have signed will be coming.

- We will be adding another defenseman but I don't know yet if it will be a pro or an amateur.

- The playoff roster (which must be submitted by March 26th) is made up of 19 players plus one additional player can be on the injured reserve (IR) for a total of 20 pro players. The person who starts the playoffs on IR (most likely Berube) will not be able to play in the first round. In addition to the 20 pro players you can have two amateur players. You can also have a third goalie on the playoff roster as back up.

One of the more interesting comments Coach Martinson  made from my perspective was in response to a question from the audience regarding whether the players we are bring in late in the season will be here next year. This is not a quote and I am reading between the lines but the response was something like we are not thinking about signing anyone until all the stuff going on in the league sorts itself out. I took this to mean there is still the possibility of something going on between the CHL or CHL teams and the ECHL. We can only hope.

Finally, best of luck to equipment manager Kacee Coberly and his wife Roxanne who will be headed to the hospital today for the birth of their second child, a son, named Noah. 

Baldwin Loaned to Allen- Stats & Info

New Allen Defensemen Corbin Baldwin

The Houston Aeros have sent defenseman Corbin Baldwin to the Americans on loan. Corbin has been playing with the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL. He was at practice today and should be in the line up tonight.

He signed an AHL contract with Houston last August and the press release (dated August 12,2012) is below which gives some of his background.

Corbin Baldwin Signs WIth Houston Aeros of the AHL

August 12, 2012

Turning Point Sports Management client Corbin Baldwin who has played the last four years with the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League has signed a one way American Hockey League contract with the Houston Aeros. The Aeros are the top minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League. Baldwin, 21, had just completed his overage season with the Chiefs, serving as an Assistant Captain, and collecting 6 goals and 27 assists for 33 points. Baldwin is an exceptional shot blocker, has a great defensive stick and is tough, amassing 138 penalty minutes in his final season in the WHL.

Baldwin attended the Minnesota Wild Development Camp in early July, and was able to earn the one year AHL deal based on his performance at that camp. The contract also includes a signing bonus. “I’m excited to get the opportunity to show what I can do as a professional,” said Baldwin when reached at his home in Winnipeg, Manitoba, “and I want to thank the Spokane Chiefs and coach Don Nachbaur for all that they have done in helping me get to this point in my career.” Baldwin will attend training camp with the Minnesota Wild barring a work stoppage in the NHL, and if that event occurs, will report to the Houston Aeros camp on September 27 to commence his professional career.

“Corbin has tremendous work ethic, is a prototypical defensive defenseman, and has the drive and determination and ability to make it to the highest level,” said Turning Point Executive Director Carlos Sosa. “Corbin also has something you cannot teach – exceptional size at 6’5”, and is quite mobile for a big man.” Turning Point wishes Corbin the best as he turns the page to the next chapter in his hockey journey.

Here are his stats:

Corbin Baldwin

Defense
Born Feb 5 1991 -- Winnipeg, MAN
[22 yrs. ago]
Height 6.05 -- Weight 215 -- Shoots L

 

			Regular Season						Playoffs
Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	+/-	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2008-09	Spokane Chiefs	WHL	42	0	4	4	64	3	2	0	0	0	0
2009-10	Spokane Chiefs	WHL	66	3	6	9	77	14	7	0	1	1	8
2010-11	Spokane Chiefs	WHL	71	2	18	20	110	5	17	0	4	4	9
2011-12	Spokane Chiefs	WHL	69	6	27	33	128	35	13	2	0	2	14
2012-13	Orlando Solar Bears*	ECHL	38	0	5	5	49	-5
2012-13	Houston Aeros*	AHL	4	0	1	1	7	0