The Allen Americans managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory last night losing to the Atlanta Gladiators 3-2 in a shootout. It was an emotional roller coaster ride for the Allen faithful and it was a big roller coaster that went real high and real low. Steve Martinson has coached over 1500 games and still takes losing worse than any of his players. Martinson had a one word answer when I asked him to share his thoughts after the game, "PAINFUL."
- There was no scoring in the first period which was good for the Americans since they were out shot 13-6. The first goal of the game didn't come until midway through the second period and it didn't even take a shot. The puck went in the net off the skate of Atlanta forward Colin Jacobs who is from Coppell, TX. The roller coaster took a dip at that point because Allen's record when they don't score first was 5-14-3-0. When the second period ended with a 1-0 Atlanta lead it looked even more bleak for the Americans since their record when trailing after the second period was 2-10-2-0.
- All but one second of the third period was a high on that emotional roller coaster as Allen tied the game 1-1 just 56 seconds into the period. Alex Guptill took a nifty pass from Zach Pochiro and went in all alone to score his 19th goal of the season. Here is the Guptill goal from Sporfie: https://app.sporfie.com/video-clip/-L4hz7yXK9VCqDNMp4Yt?_branch_match_id=437552802470443106
- It looked like the game was headed to overtime until Vincent Arseneau made two great plays. He intercepted a clearing pass from behind the Atlanta net and then after fanning on the first attempt buried the puck high on the glove side of the goalie. This Sporfie video captures it perfectly: https://app.sporfie.com/video-clip/-L4i5j11FVJVo0CbZsTe?_branch_match_id=437552802470443106
- Arseneau's goal came with 22 seconds left in the game and it looked like a big win for the Americans. Allen was able to put their best five defensive players on the ice and it would be no problem to kill 22 seconds, wrong! I am sure when coach Martinson breaks down the last 22 seconds there are several mistakes from the faceoff to not clearing the puck down the ice from the side boards to letting a player circle behind the net for a wrap around. When you watch the replay notice that Joel Chouinard takes a puck to the face just prior to the goal. The Americans protested the goal was scored after time had expired but it was officially ruled to be scored with .4 seconds remaining.
- Both teams had several outstanding chances to end the game in overtime. Colby McAuley had a breakaway and rang the shot of the post, Atlanta also hit the post in overtime and both goalies had some great saves.
- Allen scored in the second round of the shootout when Zach Pochiro avoided a poke check by the goalie and roofed the puck. Atlanta went first in the shootout so had to score in the third round or Allen would win the game. The Gladiators's Darby Llewellyn scored to keep Atlanta's hopes alive. It took until the sixth round for the next goal as Lindsay Sparks scored for Atlanta. Allen had the opportunity to keep the shootout going but Vincent Arseneau missed and the Gladiators secured the most unlikely of wins.
- Here are the highlights from ECHL Rewind that has all of the goals plus some misses. https://www.echl.com/
- This is the game recap issued by the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/americans-fall-atlanta-shootout/
- Here is the game recap issued by the Atlanta Gladiators: http://www.atlantagladiators.com/news/?article_id=3916
- Allen now has the worst (tied) record in the ECHL when games go to overtime. They have been in eight games not decided in regulation time and have lost six of the eight. The Americans have one overtime win, one shootout win, four overtime losses and two shootout loses.
- Talk about bad timing, Atlanta had a crowd of 10,052 on Saturday to see the Gladiators lose 6-0 to Orlando. It was the biggest crowd in four years. Last night a sparse crowd of 1914 showed up to watch what will likely be the most unbelievable game of the season in the Gladiator's 3-2 shootout win over Allen.
- Special teams didn't play much of a factor in the Allen loss. The Americans were 0-3 on the power play and Atlanta was 0-2.
- One bright note despite the outcome of the game was Allen out shot Atlanta 24-13 in the last two periods and held the Gladiators to just 26 shots in regulation time.
- Some may take the optimistic point of view that Allen got a point and they need to move on to the games against Florida on Friday and Saturday. My guess is the eight hour bus ride to Florida overnight was not the most joyous. It may be good the team has a couple of days to get over what was probably the most disappointing loss of the season.
DID YOU KNOW: Have you ever wondered how coach Martinson decides who he sends out on shootouts. There are many different factors that can be considered. Alex Guptill went first last night and he has certainly had the hot hand so that is a consideration but I am sure other factors such as experience and how players perform in practice are also considered. The team practices shootout attempts all of the time. Being a stats guy I thought it would be a good morning to look at the shootout records for the team and individual players. Here is Allen's shootout record since they joined the ECHL followed by the individual shootout records. The player stats are career records for games played in the ECHL.
Team Shootout Record
2017-18: 3-16 (18.8%)
2016-17: 5-9 (55.6%)
2015-16: 8-34 (23.5%)
2014-15: 9-39 (23.1%)
Player ECHL Shootout Record
The king of shootouts is Mathieu Aubin who has more shootout attempts than the rest of the roster combined. Mathieu is 24-60 over his career (dating back to 2006) for a 40% conversion rate. The only other player that has more than seven shootout attempts is Casey Pierro-Zabotel who is 4-21 over his career for a 19% conversion rate.
Here are the results when looking at the last four years only and just for games played in the ECHL. The goals and attempts are in parentheses:
50% - Joel Chouinard (1-2)
50% - David Makowski (1-2)
43% - Zach Pochiro (3-7)
33% - Vincent Arseneau (1-3)
25% - Spencer Asuchak (1-4)
25% - Eric Roy (1-4)
21% - Mathieu Aubin (3-14)
9% - Casey Pierro-Zabotel (1-11)
0% - Alex Guptill (0-5)
0% - Bryan Moore (0-2)
0% - Zach Hall (0-1)
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Allen vs Atlanta Game Preview, Mountain Division Weekly, Undersized Goalie with Oversized Game, Atlanta Gladiator's History and More
It is game day for the Allen Americans as they kick off the first of a four game swing through the South Division against the Atlanta Gladiators. The game pits the third place team from the Mountain Division against the third place team from the South Division. Allen's record is 24-18-4-1 compared to Atlanta's 24-23-1-2.
- As mentioned yesterday Atlanta has the misfortune of having played the best team in the league (Florida) nine times this season and has yet to beat the Everblades. If you take away from the Gladiators the eight regulation losses and one shootout loss to Florida their record is 24-15-1-1. That is a winning percentage of .610 which would rank them #7 in the league.
- Atlanta has the biggest discrepancy in the ECHL between home and road record. The Gladiators play much better on the road than at home. They have second most road wins (15) in the league with a road record of 15-10-0-0. However, at home only three teams in the ECHL have fewer wins than Atlanta. Their home record is 9-13-1-2.
- Allen will be trying to extend their four game winning streak and their streak of scoring five goals in four straight games. Atlanta will be trying to erase an embarrassing 6-0 shutout at home they suffered at the hands of the Orlando Solar Bears on Saturday. To make matters worse the 6-0 loss was in front of the largest crowd in four years (10,052).
- The game tonight will be the first time Allen has visited Atlanta and the third time these teams have ever met. They played twice last season at the Allen Event Center early in the season. On October 19, 2016 the Gladiators beat Allen 3-2. Atlanta was ahead 3-0 midway through the third period but two quick goals (Stevenson & Hanson) got Allen close. The next night Allen defeated Atlanta 3-1 led by a two goal performance from Spencer Asuchak and superb goaltending by the #1 star of the game, Riley Gill, who stopped 39 of 40 shots. Riley missed a shutout when the Gladiators scored their lone goal with 89 seconds remaining in the game.
Here are some stats that compare Allen and Atlanta:
ALLEN ATLANTA
Team Record 24-18-4-1 (52 points) 24-23-1-2 (66 points)
Division Ranking 4th - Mountain 3rd - South
Conference Ranking 6th - Western 7th - Eastern
League Ranking 12th 13th
Last Game 5-3 Win (Tulsa) 6-0 Loss (Orlando)
Goals For 162 145
Goals Against 150 159
Power Play 19.2% (33/203) 14.4% (28/195)
Home Power Play 20.2% (22/109) 13.0% (12/92)
Road Power Play 18.1% (17/94) 15.5% (16/103)
Penalty Kill 80.2% (42/212) 81.5% (37/200)
Home Penalty Kill 85.6% (16/111) 80.2% (18/91)
Road Penalty Kill 74.3% (26/101) 82.6% (19/109)
Most PIM Moore (135) Sandler (143)
Leading Scorers: Pierro-Zabotel (13-39-52) Sparks (10-33-43)
- Here is how Allen and Atlanta rank in the ECHL in major statistical categories:
Penalty Minutes Per Game: Allen 1st (22.00) - Atlanta 11th (16.24)
Goals Scored Per Game: Allen 8th (3.45) - Atlanta 22nd (2.90)
Goals Allowed Per Game: Allen 13th (3.19) - Atlanta 12th (3.18)
Shots For Per Game: Allen 16th (32.23) - Atlanta 22nd (30.76)
Shots Against Per Game: Allen 23rd (37.13) - Atlanta 17th (33.16)
Power Play Percentage: Allen 7th (19.2%) - Atlanta 23rd (14.4%)
Home Power Play %: Allen 6th (20.2%) - Atlanta 24th (13.0%)
Road Power Play %: Allen 11th (18.1%) - Atlanta 17th (15.5%)
Penalty Kill Percentage: Allen 22nd (80.2%) - Atlanta 21st (81.5%)
Home Penalty Kill %: Allen 8th (85.6%) - Atlanta 20th (80.2%)
Road Penalty Kill %: Allen 27th (74.3%) - Atlanta 13th (82.6%)
- Allen leads the league in penalty minutes (1034) while Atlanta is ranked #11 (812 minutes). However, when it comes to minor penalties the teams are much closer. Allen has taken 272 minor penalties and Atlanta 266. When it comes to power play opportunities Allen actually has had more than Atlanta (203 vs 195).
- Both teams have plenty of players willing to drop the gloves. According to the website hockeyfights.com Allen has 39 fighting majors led by Josh Thrower (7), Mike Gunn (5), Vincent Arseneau (4) and Colby McAuley (4). Atlanta has 31 fighting majors led by Tanner Pond (7), Luke Sandler (5), Alexandre Carrier (4) and former Allen defenseman Rick Pinkston (4).
- Allen has the advantage over Atlanta offensively both long term and short term. On average the Americans score over a half a goal more per game than Atlanta (3.45 vs 2.90). Allen's shooting percentage is 10.6% compared to 9.4% for Atlanta. Allen's goal differential (goals for minus goals against) is +12 while Atlanta's is -14. Allen's plus/minus is +68, Atlanta's is -27.
- In their last four games Allen has scored 20 goals and allowed eight. In their last four games Atlanta has scored nine goals and allowed 12.
- When you look at the special teams stats above you see a dynamic that Allen has seen before. Atlanta has one of the worst home power play percentages in the league ranked #24 at 13.0%. However they will be going against the #27 ranked Allen road penalty kill at 74.3%. Whichever team can outperform their poor stat will most likely win the game. On the flip side, Allen's #11 ranked road power play (18.1%) will be going against Atlanta's 20th ranked home penalty kill (80.2%).
- If the game tonight goes past regulation the advantage goes to Atlanta. Both teams have gone past regulation seven times. Allen has one overtime win, one shootout win, four overtime losses and one shootout loss. Atlanta has four overtime wins, one over time loss and two shootout losses.
- Some unfamiliar names to Allen fans on the officiating crew. The referee scheduled for the game is Liam Sewell (#7) and the linesmen are Paul Carnathan (#93) and Sean D'Loughy (#45). Liam Sewell is a first year ECHL referee and the first ECHL on ice official from the United Kingdom. He is from Hull, a small town 200 miles north of London. Here is Liam Sewell's story about his journey from a small town in England to the ECHL. https://www.echl.com/honor-privilege-sewell-officiate-echl
OTHER COMMENTS
- Here is the Mountain Division Weekly from the ECHL which covers a few facts for each team and the schedule for the week. https://www.echl.com/mountain-division-weekly-feb-5
- Here is an interview with former Allen goalie Jake Hildebrand who was part of the 2016 Kelly Cup championship team. The title of the story is "Undersized Goalie with Oversized Game" and Jake talks about the trials and tribulations of being shorter then the average goalie, the advantages and disadvantages and his advice for younger goalies that aren't as big as their peers. https://midwestgoalieschool.com/community/blog/
- The ECHL announced their fantasy team and golden goalie participants yesterday. The league does this every year where one skater and a goalie wear a specialty jersey that gets sent to the Meigray Group to be auctioned. Fans had the opportunity to vote to help select the team. Congrats to Casey Pierro-Zabotel and Jeremy Brodeur who were selected to wear the specialty jersey for Allen at a home game in the future. Congrats also to former Allen players Darryl Bootland (Orlando), Jake Hildebrand (Tulsa) and Dyson Stevenson (Wichita) who were selected to wear the jersey for their teams. Here is the ECHL press release with all of the details and selectees. https://www.echl.com/echl-announces-2018-fantasy-team-and-golden-goalie-participants
- The gap between the last playoff spot and the first team out of the playoffs is 12 points in the North Division, five points in the Mountain Division, two points in the South Division and no points in the Central Division.
- The gap between the first place team and the last place team is 34 points in the Mountain Division, 31 points in the South Division, 30 points in the Central Division and just 18 points in the North Division.
DID YOU KNOW: The Atlanta Gladiators play in Duluth, GA, a northeast suburb of Atlanta. The franchise was originally in Mobile, Alabama. The Mobile Mysticks started as an expansion ECHL franchise in 1995 and suspended operations in 2002. The franchise moved to Duluth for the 2003-04 season and was known as the Gwinnett Gladiators until they changed the name in 2015 to the Atlanta Gladiators. Gwinnett is the name of the county where Duluth is located.
Atlanta is affiliated with the Boston Bruins (NHL) and Providence Bruins (AHL). They have never won the Kelly Cup but made it to the finals in 2006 before losing to the Alaska Aces.
The Gladiators play at the Infinite Energy Arena which opened in 2003 at the cost of $91.5 million and has a capacity for hockey of 11,355.
- As mentioned yesterday Atlanta has the misfortune of having played the best team in the league (Florida) nine times this season and has yet to beat the Everblades. If you take away from the Gladiators the eight regulation losses and one shootout loss to Florida their record is 24-15-1-1. That is a winning percentage of .610 which would rank them #7 in the league.
- Atlanta has the biggest discrepancy in the ECHL between home and road record. The Gladiators play much better on the road than at home. They have second most road wins (15) in the league with a road record of 15-10-0-0. However, at home only three teams in the ECHL have fewer wins than Atlanta. Their home record is 9-13-1-2.
- Allen will be trying to extend their four game winning streak and their streak of scoring five goals in four straight games. Atlanta will be trying to erase an embarrassing 6-0 shutout at home they suffered at the hands of the Orlando Solar Bears on Saturday. To make matters worse the 6-0 loss was in front of the largest crowd in four years (10,052).
- The game tonight will be the first time Allen has visited Atlanta and the third time these teams have ever met. They played twice last season at the Allen Event Center early in the season. On October 19, 2016 the Gladiators beat Allen 3-2. Atlanta was ahead 3-0 midway through the third period but two quick goals (Stevenson & Hanson) got Allen close. The next night Allen defeated Atlanta 3-1 led by a two goal performance from Spencer Asuchak and superb goaltending by the #1 star of the game, Riley Gill, who stopped 39 of 40 shots. Riley missed a shutout when the Gladiators scored their lone goal with 89 seconds remaining in the game.
Here are some stats that compare Allen and Atlanta:
ALLEN ATLANTA
Team Record 24-18-4-1 (52 points) 24-23-1-2 (66 points)
Division Ranking 4th - Mountain 3rd - South
Conference Ranking 6th - Western 7th - Eastern
League Ranking 12th 13th
Last Game 5-3 Win (Tulsa) 6-0 Loss (Orlando)
Goals For 162 145
Goals Against 150 159
Power Play 19.2% (33/203) 14.4% (28/195)
Home Power Play 20.2% (22/109) 13.0% (12/92)
Road Power Play 18.1% (17/94) 15.5% (16/103)
Penalty Kill 80.2% (42/212) 81.5% (37/200)
Home Penalty Kill 85.6% (16/111) 80.2% (18/91)
Road Penalty Kill 74.3% (26/101) 82.6% (19/109)
Most PIM Moore (135) Sandler (143)
Leading Scorers: Pierro-Zabotel (13-39-52) Sparks (10-33-43)
- Here is how Allen and Atlanta rank in the ECHL in major statistical categories:
Penalty Minutes Per Game: Allen 1st (22.00) - Atlanta 11th (16.24)
Goals Scored Per Game: Allen 8th (3.45) - Atlanta 22nd (2.90)
Goals Allowed Per Game: Allen 13th (3.19) - Atlanta 12th (3.18)
Shots For Per Game: Allen 16th (32.23) - Atlanta 22nd (30.76)
Shots Against Per Game: Allen 23rd (37.13) - Atlanta 17th (33.16)
Power Play Percentage: Allen 7th (19.2%) - Atlanta 23rd (14.4%)
Home Power Play %: Allen 6th (20.2%) - Atlanta 24th (13.0%)
Road Power Play %: Allen 11th (18.1%) - Atlanta 17th (15.5%)
Penalty Kill Percentage: Allen 22nd (80.2%) - Atlanta 21st (81.5%)
Home Penalty Kill %: Allen 8th (85.6%) - Atlanta 20th (80.2%)
Road Penalty Kill %: Allen 27th (74.3%) - Atlanta 13th (82.6%)
- Allen leads the league in penalty minutes (1034) while Atlanta is ranked #11 (812 minutes). However, when it comes to minor penalties the teams are much closer. Allen has taken 272 minor penalties and Atlanta 266. When it comes to power play opportunities Allen actually has had more than Atlanta (203 vs 195).
- Both teams have plenty of players willing to drop the gloves. According to the website hockeyfights.com Allen has 39 fighting majors led by Josh Thrower (7), Mike Gunn (5), Vincent Arseneau (4) and Colby McAuley (4). Atlanta has 31 fighting majors led by Tanner Pond (7), Luke Sandler (5), Alexandre Carrier (4) and former Allen defenseman Rick Pinkston (4).
- Allen has the advantage over Atlanta offensively both long term and short term. On average the Americans score over a half a goal more per game than Atlanta (3.45 vs 2.90). Allen's shooting percentage is 10.6% compared to 9.4% for Atlanta. Allen's goal differential (goals for minus goals against) is +12 while Atlanta's is -14. Allen's plus/minus is +68, Atlanta's is -27.
- In their last four games Allen has scored 20 goals and allowed eight. In their last four games Atlanta has scored nine goals and allowed 12.
- When you look at the special teams stats above you see a dynamic that Allen has seen before. Atlanta has one of the worst home power play percentages in the league ranked #24 at 13.0%. However they will be going against the #27 ranked Allen road penalty kill at 74.3%. Whichever team can outperform their poor stat will most likely win the game. On the flip side, Allen's #11 ranked road power play (18.1%) will be going against Atlanta's 20th ranked home penalty kill (80.2%).
- If the game tonight goes past regulation the advantage goes to Atlanta. Both teams have gone past regulation seven times. Allen has one overtime win, one shootout win, four overtime losses and one shootout loss. Atlanta has four overtime wins, one over time loss and two shootout losses.
- Some unfamiliar names to Allen fans on the officiating crew. The referee scheduled for the game is Liam Sewell (#7) and the linesmen are Paul Carnathan (#93) and Sean D'Loughy (#45). Liam Sewell is a first year ECHL referee and the first ECHL on ice official from the United Kingdom. He is from Hull, a small town 200 miles north of London. Here is Liam Sewell's story about his journey from a small town in England to the ECHL. https://www.echl.com/honor-privilege-sewell-officiate-echl
OTHER COMMENTS
- Here is the Mountain Division Weekly from the ECHL which covers a few facts for each team and the schedule for the week. https://www.echl.com/mountain-division-weekly-feb-5
- Here is an interview with former Allen goalie Jake Hildebrand who was part of the 2016 Kelly Cup championship team. The title of the story is "Undersized Goalie with Oversized Game" and Jake talks about the trials and tribulations of being shorter then the average goalie, the advantages and disadvantages and his advice for younger goalies that aren't as big as their peers. https://midwestgoalieschool.com/community/blog/
- The ECHL announced their fantasy team and golden goalie participants yesterday. The league does this every year where one skater and a goalie wear a specialty jersey that gets sent to the Meigray Group to be auctioned. Fans had the opportunity to vote to help select the team. Congrats to Casey Pierro-Zabotel and Jeremy Brodeur who were selected to wear the specialty jersey for Allen at a home game in the future. Congrats also to former Allen players Darryl Bootland (Orlando), Jake Hildebrand (Tulsa) and Dyson Stevenson (Wichita) who were selected to wear the jersey for their teams. Here is the ECHL press release with all of the details and selectees. https://www.echl.com/echl-announces-2018-fantasy-team-and-golden-goalie-participants
- The gap between the last playoff spot and the first team out of the playoffs is 12 points in the North Division, five points in the Mountain Division, two points in the South Division and no points in the Central Division.
- The gap between the first place team and the last place team is 34 points in the Mountain Division, 31 points in the South Division, 30 points in the Central Division and just 18 points in the North Division.
DID YOU KNOW: The Atlanta Gladiators play in Duluth, GA, a northeast suburb of Atlanta. The franchise was originally in Mobile, Alabama. The Mobile Mysticks started as an expansion ECHL franchise in 1995 and suspended operations in 2002. The franchise moved to Duluth for the 2003-04 season and was known as the Gwinnett Gladiators until they changed the name in 2015 to the Atlanta Gladiators. Gwinnett is the name of the county where Duluth is located.
Atlanta is affiliated with the Boston Bruins (NHL) and Providence Bruins (AHL). They have never won the Kelly Cup but made it to the finals in 2006 before losing to the Alaska Aces.
The Gladiators play at the Infinite Energy Arena which opened in 2003 at the cost of $91.5 million and has a capacity for hockey of 11,355.
Monday, February 5, 2018
Allen's Last Week in Review and This Week's Four Game South Division Preview, Mountain Division Tilts, Japanese Hockey Prodigy and Is the ECHL More Balanced This Season
The Allen Americans just completed their most successful week of the season. They have won four straight games which is the longest winning streak of the season. Three of the four wins were against teams ahead of the Americans in the standings including two against the #1 team in the ECHL, the Colorado Eagles.
- The Allen offense has been on fire over this four game win streak scoring five goals in each game. Meanwhile, the Americans allowed only eight goals for a measly 2.0 goals per game average. The goal differential over the four game win streak of +12 (20 goals for 8 against) is the largest goal differential over a four game span all season.
- Jeremy Brodeur and Stephon Williams combined for a 2.00 GAA and a save percentage of .944 in the last four games. You can't ask for anything more from the goalies than that.
- With all of the success in the last week there is certainly room for improvement going into the coming week. In two of the wins during this four game win streak the Americans allowed shots in the 20's (28 & 29) but in the other two wins the shots allowed were in the 40's (46 & 40).
- You rarely have a four game win streak without excellent special teams play but that was not the case last week. Allen's power play for the season converts on 19.2% of their opportunities but during this four game win streak the power play percentage was 15.4%. Allen's penalty kill is ranked #22 in the ECHL at 80.2% but last week the Americans couldn't even match that as the penalty kill percentage was 78.6%.
- As coach Martinson said after the just completed 4-0 week, "We are generating a lot of offense, we are winning games but we are still not there yet." It is encouraging that the team has been winning games against good opponents but still has plenty of room to improve.
- This week Allen takes a rare road trip outside of the Western Conference as they are busing their way to Atlanta for the first of four games against South Division opponents. They will play Atlanta on Tuesday, Florida on Friday and Saturday and then close the road trip with a Sunday afternoon game in Jacksonville. The first leg of the road trip is 830 miles which means something like 14 hours on the bus.
- How rare is it for Allen to play teams in the South Division? This is their fourth season in the ECHL and they have played South Division teams just seven times. The first two years (2014-15 & 2015-16) they didn't play the South Division at all during the regular season. In 2014-15 the teams in the South were actually called the East Division and Allen beat South Carolina in the Kelly Cup finals to win their first ECHL championship.
- Last season (2016-17) Allen went 3-1-0-1 against the South Division. They split two games at home against Atlanta in October and then took a Florida road trip at the end of January. They beat Florida and split two games in Orlando, losing in a shootout and winning in overtime.
- Orlando was in Allen for the first two home games of this season. Allen won the first game 6-2, Zach Pochiro was the #1 star with two goals. Riley Gill was the #2 star in that game stopping 23 of 25 shots he faced. That game is most memorable because late in the third period Riley Gill was carried off the ice with a head/neck injury that has kept him sidelined ever since. In the second game of the series Orlando beat Allen 4-3 in overtime.
- It will be a real challenge for Allen to match last weeks results this week. For the second week in a row they will be playing two games against the best team in the ECHL. Colorado was #1 last week but after Allen beat the Eagles twice the Florida Everblades are now #1 in points (67) and winning percentage .744. Florida's home record is 14-4-0-2 so getting a win in their house won't be easy.
- The first game of the trip to the South Division is Tuesday night against Atlanta. They are currently in third place in the division but trail second place South Carolina by 12 points and first place Florida by 16 points. Atlanta's record is 24-23-1-2 and their winning percentage is .510. Allen's winning percentage is .564. Atlanta has the misfortune of having played the best team in the league (Florida) nine times this season and has yet to beat the Everblades. If you take the eight regulation losses and one shootout loss to Florida away from the Gladiator's record their winning percentage against everyone else is .610. The point being is Atlanta is a tougher team than their record reflects.
- Jacksonville is in last place in the South Division with a winning percentage of .383. They have lost their last four home games scoring just five goals for an average goals per game of 1.25. This game is a must win for the Americans.
- The bottom line is this swing through the South Division will be a good test for the Americans to see if they can continue their winning ways. It will be nice for Allen fans to have games starting an hour earlier than normal because of the time difference.
- Allen has won four in a row but they lost six straight before that so their record over the last 10 games stands at 4-6. Here are the records for the teams they face this week over the last 10 games.
6-4-0-0 - Atlanta
5-3-0-2 - Florida
5-4-0-1 - Jacksonville
OTHER COMMENTS
- While Allen is on their road trip to the South Division, Idaho will be in Colorado for three games this week. The three games this week will be followed by three games between the same teams in Idaho next week. That's right, six in a row between these teams from February 7-17. There has already been 11 fights between Colorado and Idaho this season. Idaho has only 29 fighting majors all season so close to 40% of their fights have been with the Eagles. Keep an eye on this series as the fireworks will guarantee the fighting numbers will increase.
- The other team Allen is battling is Wichita. The teams are tied for third place in the division with 53 points but the Thunder has three games in hand over the Americans. Just like Allen the Thunder are on the road for four games this week outside the division. Wichita will be playing four games against Central Division foes. They play second place Fort Wayne on Wednesday and Friday, fourth place Cincinnati on Saturday and first place Toledo on Sunday.
- There is no contest for the ECHL comeback team of the year. The Wichita Thunder had the second worst winning percentage in the ECHL last season at .340. This season they are ranked #8 at .602. Wichita had 21 wins last season. They already have 25 wins this season with close to 40% of their games remaining. Now that is a turnaround.
- You might enjoy this story about 14 year old hockey prodigy Aito Iguchi who is from Japan and aspires to be a pro hockey player. Iguchi has played two season of spring AAA hockey with the Langley Jr. Rivermen, outside Vancouver. This is the same organization that coach Martinson's son, Logan, will join this fall to play on the Langley Rivermen Junior "A" team in the British Columbia Hockey League. This story covers Iguchi but also talks about the state of hockey in Japan. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/02/sports/hockey/aito-iguchi-japan-hockey.html
- Iguchi is an internet sensation for his stick handling videos. Here is one small sample.
DID YOU KNOW: You can make the argument that the ECHL is more balanced this season than last season. Last season there were seven teams that finished with a winning percentage below .450 and the three lowest were .292, .340 and .358. This season their are only four teams below .450 and the three lowest are .356, .372 and .383.
- The Allen offense has been on fire over this four game win streak scoring five goals in each game. Meanwhile, the Americans allowed only eight goals for a measly 2.0 goals per game average. The goal differential over the four game win streak of +12 (20 goals for 8 against) is the largest goal differential over a four game span all season.
- Jeremy Brodeur and Stephon Williams combined for a 2.00 GAA and a save percentage of .944 in the last four games. You can't ask for anything more from the goalies than that.
- With all of the success in the last week there is certainly room for improvement going into the coming week. In two of the wins during this four game win streak the Americans allowed shots in the 20's (28 & 29) but in the other two wins the shots allowed were in the 40's (46 & 40).
- You rarely have a four game win streak without excellent special teams play but that was not the case last week. Allen's power play for the season converts on 19.2% of their opportunities but during this four game win streak the power play percentage was 15.4%. Allen's penalty kill is ranked #22 in the ECHL at 80.2% but last week the Americans couldn't even match that as the penalty kill percentage was 78.6%.
- As coach Martinson said after the just completed 4-0 week, "We are generating a lot of offense, we are winning games but we are still not there yet." It is encouraging that the team has been winning games against good opponents but still has plenty of room to improve.
- This week Allen takes a rare road trip outside of the Western Conference as they are busing their way to Atlanta for the first of four games against South Division opponents. They will play Atlanta on Tuesday, Florida on Friday and Saturday and then close the road trip with a Sunday afternoon game in Jacksonville. The first leg of the road trip is 830 miles which means something like 14 hours on the bus.
- How rare is it for Allen to play teams in the South Division? This is their fourth season in the ECHL and they have played South Division teams just seven times. The first two years (2014-15 & 2015-16) they didn't play the South Division at all during the regular season. In 2014-15 the teams in the South were actually called the East Division and Allen beat South Carolina in the Kelly Cup finals to win their first ECHL championship.
- Last season (2016-17) Allen went 3-1-0-1 against the South Division. They split two games at home against Atlanta in October and then took a Florida road trip at the end of January. They beat Florida and split two games in Orlando, losing in a shootout and winning in overtime.
- Orlando was in Allen for the first two home games of this season. Allen won the first game 6-2, Zach Pochiro was the #1 star with two goals. Riley Gill was the #2 star in that game stopping 23 of 25 shots he faced. That game is most memorable because late in the third period Riley Gill was carried off the ice with a head/neck injury that has kept him sidelined ever since. In the second game of the series Orlando beat Allen 4-3 in overtime.
- It will be a real challenge for Allen to match last weeks results this week. For the second week in a row they will be playing two games against the best team in the ECHL. Colorado was #1 last week but after Allen beat the Eagles twice the Florida Everblades are now #1 in points (67) and winning percentage .744. Florida's home record is 14-4-0-2 so getting a win in their house won't be easy.
- The first game of the trip to the South Division is Tuesday night against Atlanta. They are currently in third place in the division but trail second place South Carolina by 12 points and first place Florida by 16 points. Atlanta's record is 24-23-1-2 and their winning percentage is .510. Allen's winning percentage is .564. Atlanta has the misfortune of having played the best team in the league (Florida) nine times this season and has yet to beat the Everblades. If you take the eight regulation losses and one shootout loss to Florida away from the Gladiator's record their winning percentage against everyone else is .610. The point being is Atlanta is a tougher team than their record reflects.
- Jacksonville is in last place in the South Division with a winning percentage of .383. They have lost their last four home games scoring just five goals for an average goals per game of 1.25. This game is a must win for the Americans.
- The bottom line is this swing through the South Division will be a good test for the Americans to see if they can continue their winning ways. It will be nice for Allen fans to have games starting an hour earlier than normal because of the time difference.
- Allen has won four in a row but they lost six straight before that so their record over the last 10 games stands at 4-6. Here are the records for the teams they face this week over the last 10 games.
6-4-0-0 - Atlanta
5-3-0-2 - Florida
5-4-0-1 - Jacksonville
OTHER COMMENTS
- While Allen is on their road trip to the South Division, Idaho will be in Colorado for three games this week. The three games this week will be followed by three games between the same teams in Idaho next week. That's right, six in a row between these teams from February 7-17. There has already been 11 fights between Colorado and Idaho this season. Idaho has only 29 fighting majors all season so close to 40% of their fights have been with the Eagles. Keep an eye on this series as the fireworks will guarantee the fighting numbers will increase.
- The other team Allen is battling is Wichita. The teams are tied for third place in the division with 53 points but the Thunder has three games in hand over the Americans. Just like Allen the Thunder are on the road for four games this week outside the division. Wichita will be playing four games against Central Division foes. They play second place Fort Wayne on Wednesday and Friday, fourth place Cincinnati on Saturday and first place Toledo on Sunday.
- There is no contest for the ECHL comeback team of the year. The Wichita Thunder had the second worst winning percentage in the ECHL last season at .340. This season they are ranked #8 at .602. Wichita had 21 wins last season. They already have 25 wins this season with close to 40% of their games remaining. Now that is a turnaround.
- You might enjoy this story about 14 year old hockey prodigy Aito Iguchi who is from Japan and aspires to be a pro hockey player. Iguchi has played two season of spring AAA hockey with the Langley Jr. Rivermen, outside Vancouver. This is the same organization that coach Martinson's son, Logan, will join this fall to play on the Langley Rivermen Junior "A" team in the British Columbia Hockey League. This story covers Iguchi but also talks about the state of hockey in Japan. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/02/sports/hockey/aito-iguchi-japan-hockey.html
- Iguchi is an internet sensation for his stick handling videos. Here is one small sample.
DID YOU KNOW: You can make the argument that the ECHL is more balanced this season than last season. Last season there were seven teams that finished with a winning percentage below .450 and the three lowest were .292, .340 and .358. This season their are only four teams below .450 and the three lowest are .356, .372 and .383.
Sunday, February 4, 2018
Allen Scored Five Again, Beat Tulsa 5-3, Game Recap, Martinson's Comments, A Must Read Story About Life in the ECHL, Allen Player Nicknames
The Allen Americans won in Tulsa last night 5-3 before a crowd of 5828 at the BOK Center. It was the fourth straight win for the Americans and the fourth straight game where they have scored five goals. It is no coincidence this four game win streak coincides with the return of Vincent Arseneau and Zach Pochiro to the lineup. They each had a goal last night and have combined for five goals and seven assists during this four game win streak.
- Allen scored the first and only goal of the first period and that always bodes well for the Americans. Their record when scoring first is now 19-4-1-0 and their record with a lead after the first period is now 17-4-1-0.
- The top line of Casey Pierro-Zabotel, Vincent Arseneau and Colby McAuley continued to be effective at both ends of the ice. This line was used by coach Martinson to shut down Colorado's top line and they did the same last night. All three had two points in the game and they weren't on the ice for any of the Tulsa goals.
- Spencer Asuchak was named the #1 star, scoring the game winner in Asuchak style, pounding in a rebound from right in front of the net.
- Allen had a 3-0 lead in the second period and looked to be coasting to a victory but to Tulsa's credit they came back to close within one goal twice (3-2 & 4-3) before Dalton Thrower scored an empty net goal with 35 seconds remaining in the game to seal the victory.
- Goal scorers for Allen were Colby McAuley (8), Zach Pochiro (10), Vincent Arseneau (13) and Spencer Asuchak (7). Here are the video highlights with all of the goals. A couple of things to look for in the highlights. Connor Reilly, who hadn't played in Allen's last five games, makes a great play on the Pochiro goal by dumping the puck in deep, intercepting the puck behind the net and making the pass to Zach. You will want to watch the Arseneau goal a few times because it is unusual to say the least. Vincent takes a shot which bounces off Tulsa goalie Jake Hildebrand and goes straight up in the air. You can see Arseneau tracking the puck and he drops his head at the perfect time to have the puck bounce off his helmet into the goal. Video highlights link: https://youtu.be/FNxq3vTQaaY
- Here is the game recap from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/americans-close-weekend-tulsa-5-3-win/
- When you score five goals per game as the Americans have done over this four game win streak it covers up issues that would normally be a factor. Last night Allen gave up 46 shots on goal, were 0-3 on the power play and gave up a goal on the penalty kill (1-5). When I touched base with coach Martinson after the game he gave two thoughts, "The good news is we are getting lots of offense and the bad news is we keep taking bad penalties in our offensive zone and giving up power play goals."
OTHER COMMENTS
- The Americans made the 230 mile trek back to Allen immediate after the game last night but will turn right around tonight and leave for the east coast. They will play Atlanta on Tuesday, Florida on Friday and Saturday and then close the road trip with a Sunday afternoon game in Jacksonville. A total of about 2800 miles on the bus.
- During this four game winning streak nine different players have scored goals for Allen led by Alex Guptill with five. Zach Pochiro and Joel Chouinard each have three goals in the last four games.
- During this four game winning streak Allen has scored 20 goals on 135 shots for a shooting percentage of 14.8% which is extremely efficient. For the season the Americans shooting percentage is now 10.6%. Colorado leads the ECHL in shooting percentage at 12.0%.
- You don't win four in a row without good goaltending. Both goalies have played well during this win streak. The save percentages in the last four games have been .931, .929, .975 & .935.
- What a difference a few days make. Allen woke up Thursday morning in fifth place in the Mountain Division and outside of a playoff spot. Three days and three wins later they are now tied for third place in the division, just three points out of second place and home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. While Allen was winning in Tulsa last night both Wichita and Idaho lost.
- Olivier Archambault scored the first goal of the game last night in a losing cause as Syracuse lost to Utica 4-2 at home. Archambault has two goals in five games since he joined Syracuse but just as important he has not had a minus game yet and is +3 over the five games. Per coach Martinson the report from Syracuse is not that Olivier is playing well but he is playing very well.
- Allen released defenseman Anthony Calabrese on Friday and he was claimed off waivers by the Worcester Railers.
- You may have heard about a relatively new startup company called "The Athletic" which focuses on local subscription based sports journalism. They started in Chicago in 2016 and have been expanding ever since to Cleveland, Detroit, Minnesota, Montreal, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, San Francisco and will launch in Dallas on February 12. They are also adding New York and Cincinnati. Here is a story from the Dallas Observer about the company and the details about who they have signed for their Dallas group. Among other things the article covers why unlimited access to ad free content for $59.99 per year is a good business model. http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/dallas-is-getting-a-new-paid-sports-journalism-site-the-athletic-10325639
- If you read the story above about The Athletic one of their goals is to write stories that appeal to specialized audiences through longer and more detailed articles. Here is one of those stories written by Scott Wheeler who is a national prospects writer and Toronto Marlies reporter for The Athletic Toronto. Scott recently spent four days with the Brampton Beast when they were on the road during some horrible weather. This is a must read for every ECHL fan. Through his words and photos Scott makes you see, feel and smell what it is like on the bus and inside the locker room. You will have even more respect for everyone that makes a living on the road in the ECHL after you read this story. Notice at the end of the story you can sign up for a free trial of The Athletic. Here is the story which has a great title, "In One: My four wild days trapped in minor-league hell with the Brampton Beast" https://theathletic.com/206515/2018/02/02/in-one-my-four-insane-days-trapped-in-minor-hockey-hell-with-the-brampton-beast/
DID YOU KNOW: Several times each year I get asked about nicknames for the players. I tend to call the players by the their first names so don't think about nicknames a lot. My impression is that hockey players aren't very creative when it comes to nicknames. In most cases all you have to do is add a "sy" to the last name or drop a few letters from the last name and then add the "sy" and you have the nickname. I did ask players during training camp what nicknames they have had in the past and what their nickname is in Allen. Here a few of the obvious ones and some you might not have heard before. Not sure of the spelling on nicknames but you will get the idea. I will save a few for a later blog post.
Mike Gunn - It has always been "Gunner"
Vincent Arseneau - Primarily "Vinny" in Allen but also "Arse" & "Arsey"
Eric Roy - It has always been "Roysy"
Spencer Asuchak - "Ass" or "Assman" and sometimes "Chucky"
Peter MacArthur - Peter had season ending surgery and isn't with the team but had the best response to past nicknames. His family called him "Poo Bear" because he loved the children's story, he was "Cotton" in college after Peter Cottontail because he could jump high but he admitted it is now just "Mac"
Stephon Williams - It has always been "Willy"
The Throwers - They have had the same nickname most of the time, "Throwsy" but that didn't work once they both signed in Allen. Older brother Dalton, who has also been called "Dalts" and "Salty" in the past got "Throwsy" and Josh who admitted to being called "Rocket" and "Joshy" in the past got a brand new nickname when he arrived in Allen, "J.T."
Casey Pierro-Zabotel - Primarily "Zabby" but also "CPZ"
- Allen scored the first and only goal of the first period and that always bodes well for the Americans. Their record when scoring first is now 19-4-1-0 and their record with a lead after the first period is now 17-4-1-0.
- The top line of Casey Pierro-Zabotel, Vincent Arseneau and Colby McAuley continued to be effective at both ends of the ice. This line was used by coach Martinson to shut down Colorado's top line and they did the same last night. All three had two points in the game and they weren't on the ice for any of the Tulsa goals.
- Spencer Asuchak was named the #1 star, scoring the game winner in Asuchak style, pounding in a rebound from right in front of the net.
- Allen had a 3-0 lead in the second period and looked to be coasting to a victory but to Tulsa's credit they came back to close within one goal twice (3-2 & 4-3) before Dalton Thrower scored an empty net goal with 35 seconds remaining in the game to seal the victory.
- Goal scorers for Allen were Colby McAuley (8), Zach Pochiro (10), Vincent Arseneau (13) and Spencer Asuchak (7). Here are the video highlights with all of the goals. A couple of things to look for in the highlights. Connor Reilly, who hadn't played in Allen's last five games, makes a great play on the Pochiro goal by dumping the puck in deep, intercepting the puck behind the net and making the pass to Zach. You will want to watch the Arseneau goal a few times because it is unusual to say the least. Vincent takes a shot which bounces off Tulsa goalie Jake Hildebrand and goes straight up in the air. You can see Arseneau tracking the puck and he drops his head at the perfect time to have the puck bounce off his helmet into the goal. Video highlights link: https://youtu.be/FNxq3vTQaaY
- Here is the game recap from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/americans-close-weekend-tulsa-5-3-win/
- When you score five goals per game as the Americans have done over this four game win streak it covers up issues that would normally be a factor. Last night Allen gave up 46 shots on goal, were 0-3 on the power play and gave up a goal on the penalty kill (1-5). When I touched base with coach Martinson after the game he gave two thoughts, "The good news is we are getting lots of offense and the bad news is we keep taking bad penalties in our offensive zone and giving up power play goals."
OTHER COMMENTS
- The Americans made the 230 mile trek back to Allen immediate after the game last night but will turn right around tonight and leave for the east coast. They will play Atlanta on Tuesday, Florida on Friday and Saturday and then close the road trip with a Sunday afternoon game in Jacksonville. A total of about 2800 miles on the bus.
- During this four game winning streak nine different players have scored goals for Allen led by Alex Guptill with five. Zach Pochiro and Joel Chouinard each have three goals in the last four games.
- During this four game winning streak Allen has scored 20 goals on 135 shots for a shooting percentage of 14.8% which is extremely efficient. For the season the Americans shooting percentage is now 10.6%. Colorado leads the ECHL in shooting percentage at 12.0%.
- You don't win four in a row without good goaltending. Both goalies have played well during this win streak. The save percentages in the last four games have been .931, .929, .975 & .935.
- What a difference a few days make. Allen woke up Thursday morning in fifth place in the Mountain Division and outside of a playoff spot. Three days and three wins later they are now tied for third place in the division, just three points out of second place and home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. While Allen was winning in Tulsa last night both Wichita and Idaho lost.
- Olivier Archambault scored the first goal of the game last night in a losing cause as Syracuse lost to Utica 4-2 at home. Archambault has two goals in five games since he joined Syracuse but just as important he has not had a minus game yet and is +3 over the five games. Per coach Martinson the report from Syracuse is not that Olivier is playing well but he is playing very well.
- Allen released defenseman Anthony Calabrese on Friday and he was claimed off waivers by the Worcester Railers.
- You may have heard about a relatively new startup company called "The Athletic" which focuses on local subscription based sports journalism. They started in Chicago in 2016 and have been expanding ever since to Cleveland, Detroit, Minnesota, Montreal, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, San Francisco and will launch in Dallas on February 12. They are also adding New York and Cincinnati. Here is a story from the Dallas Observer about the company and the details about who they have signed for their Dallas group. Among other things the article covers why unlimited access to ad free content for $59.99 per year is a good business model. http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/dallas-is-getting-a-new-paid-sports-journalism-site-the-athletic-10325639
- If you read the story above about The Athletic one of their goals is to write stories that appeal to specialized audiences through longer and more detailed articles. Here is one of those stories written by Scott Wheeler who is a national prospects writer and Toronto Marlies reporter for The Athletic Toronto. Scott recently spent four days with the Brampton Beast when they were on the road during some horrible weather. This is a must read for every ECHL fan. Through his words and photos Scott makes you see, feel and smell what it is like on the bus and inside the locker room. You will have even more respect for everyone that makes a living on the road in the ECHL after you read this story. Notice at the end of the story you can sign up for a free trial of The Athletic. Here is the story which has a great title, "In One: My four wild days trapped in minor-league hell with the Brampton Beast" https://theathletic.com/206515/2018/02/02/in-one-my-four-insane-days-trapped-in-minor-hockey-hell-with-the-brampton-beast/
DID YOU KNOW: Several times each year I get asked about nicknames for the players. I tend to call the players by the their first names so don't think about nicknames a lot. My impression is that hockey players aren't very creative when it comes to nicknames. In most cases all you have to do is add a "sy" to the last name or drop a few letters from the last name and then add the "sy" and you have the nickname. I did ask players during training camp what nicknames they have had in the past and what their nickname is in Allen. Here a few of the obvious ones and some you might not have heard before. Not sure of the spelling on nicknames but you will get the idea. I will save a few for a later blog post.
Mike Gunn - It has always been "Gunner"
Vincent Arseneau - Primarily "Vinny" in Allen but also "Arse" & "Arsey"
Eric Roy - It has always been "Roysy"
Spencer Asuchak - "Ass" or "Assman" and sometimes "Chucky"
Peter MacArthur - Peter had season ending surgery and isn't with the team but had the best response to past nicknames. His family called him "Poo Bear" because he loved the children's story, he was "Cotton" in college after Peter Cottontail because he could jump high but he admitted it is now just "Mac"
Stephon Williams - It has always been "Willy"
The Throwers - They have had the same nickname most of the time, "Throwsy" but that didn't work once they both signed in Allen. Older brother Dalton, who has also been called "Dalts" and "Salty" in the past got "Throwsy" and Josh who admitted to being called "Rocket" and "Joshy" in the past got a brand new nickname when he arrived in Allen, "J.T."
Casey Pierro-Zabotel - Primarily "Zabby" but also "CPZ"
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Allen Wins 5-1 Over Colorado, Game Recap, Martinson's Comments, Sporfie Highlights, Allen vs Tulsa Preview, Comparison of Average Goals Per Game for Allen's Top Scorers
The Allen Americans got another big win last night with their second five goal performance in as many nights to sweep the series against the Colorado Eagles. Allen won last night 5-1 before a crowd of 4105 at the Allen Event Center. It is always great to win a game 5-1 but it was not as dominating a performance as the score would indicate.
- There were definitely some bright spots for the Americans. They scored first and they are hard to beat when they get the first goal. Allen's record when scoring first now stands at 18-4-1-0. They won the special teams battle by going 1-2 on the power play while killing all four Colorado power play opportunities. The Americans got outstanding goaltending from Stephon Williams who stopped 39 of 40 shots for a save percentage of .975.
- When you win a game 5-1 it is easy to conclude the team played a complete game but that was not the case last night. Allen scored five goals on just 23 shots which is a save percentage of .783. The last two times they had such a low shot total they lost 5-0 and 4-1.
- Despite outscoring the Eagles in every period the Americans were out shot in every period for a total shot count of 40-23. As coach Martinson shared with the fans after the game the team fell into old habits of too many turnovers and not winning battles for the puck. That creates more puck possession for the opponent which leads to more shots.
- Goal scorers for Allen were Joel Chouinard (9), Alex Guptill (17&18), Zach Pochiro (9) and Vincent Arseneau (12). I wouldn't be surprised if the Chouinard goal gets changed because when you look at the replay it is pretty clear Colby McAuley got a stick on the shot and tipped the puck past the goaltender. The video highlights of all the goals are posted at ECHL Rewind: https://www.echl.com/
- Here are the Sporfie highlights for all five Allen goals. A great way to slow down the play to see exactly what took place on each and every goal. If you haven't tried it you can grab the orange dot and move the reply back and forth to go as slow as frame by frame.
Joel Chouinard - A couple things to notice on this goal. The first is the great cross ice pass Arseneau makes to Chouinard. The second is how it is pretty clear when you go frame by frame and watch both Colby McAuley and the goalie that Colby got a piece of the puck. https://sporfie.app.link/6ZIytJaSdK
Alex Guptill - Bryan Moore makes two great plays on this goal. The first was to get the puck past the defenseman to create a two-on-one and then a great pass to Guptill past a sprawling defender. Notice how Bryan stays wide to keep the goalie further to his side of the net. Guptill, who has been red hot, makes no mistake on the finish. https://sporfie.app.link/acox9AOUdK
Zach Pochiro - This is another goal to slow down and take several looks. This is the power play goal and the first thing to notice is Eric Roy in the middle of the ice out at the blue line. Makowski spots Asuchak with a lot of open ice and makes a cross ice pass. Asuchak makes a great play first to catch the pass which was behind him and then skates toward the net (staying wide to draw the goalie) and makes a pass (ala Chad Costello) through the slot right on the tape to Zach Pochiro who was wide open. The goalie didn't have a chance as Zach puts the puck in the back of the net. https://sporfie.app.link/Tt7DLgyVdK
Vincent Arseneau - Arseneau makes two great plays on this goal. First he creates the goal scoring opportunity by getting the puck past Eagles defenseman Matt Register and then he uses his wicked snap shot to cleanly beat the goalie. Here are two different views:
https://sporfie.app.link/aIf7YKaZdK
https://sporfie.app.link/nMZB0OaZdK
Alex Guptill - Lots to watch on this replay. You will see Mike Gunn take a shot, break his stick and head to the bench. Zach Pochiro comes up with the puck and backs off to the side boards, spots Josh Thrower, who you can see calling for the puck. Pochiro makes a cross ice pass to Thrower. Josh makes a great pass to Gutpill in the slot who can't seem to miss the last couple of games and puts a backhand past the goalie. https://sporfie.app.link/VwRvDgc0dK
- Here is the game recap from the Colorado Eagles website: http://coloradoeagles.com/eagles-news/colorado-drops-third-straight-with-5-1-loss-to-americans/
- Five players had multi point games for Allen last night led by Zach Pochiro who had a goal and two assists, Alex Guptill with two goals including the game winner, Joel Chouinard with a goal and an assist along with a +3, Vincent Arseneau with a goal and assist and David Makowski with two assists.
STEVE MARTINSON'S POST GAME COMMENTS
- Before the coach's post game quotes here is what he had to say in his pregame interview with Kayla McLain.
- Post Game Quotes:
"I liked that we scored five goals and I liked that we won the game but to watch us give up that goal was painful. It was a three-on-three and our back checking forward leaves the top goal scorer in the league and cheats over to a guy with a much lower probability of scoring."
"After not playing the last few games Stephon Williams comes out and battles like that and does an outstanding job so it was extra painful to watch us give up the lone goal Colorado scored."
"It was good to see some of the goals we scored tonight. Arseneau is playing better each game coming off an injury. That was a typical Arseneau snap shot on his goal which is just a rocket."
"I thought Josh Thrower really stepped up his game tonight. He had more ice time, he made a really nice play on Guptill's second goal, he moved the puck well and he moved his feet well."
"There were some positives but there are still guys turning over the puck and losing puck battles so we are not there yet. We are winning but there are some things we need to improve and some guys need to step up their game. We have some guys playing really strong and some playing a little weak and they have to step it up."
"Tomorrow night is a big game for us."
"The penalty kill was 4-4 but we weren't great up top so there is room for improvement on the PK."
"They made some mistakes and we were able to capitalize. We had two goals on two-on-ones and we haven't seen that too often over the last month."
ALLEN VS TULSA GAME PREVIEW
- Allen has now won three in a row but have no time to rest on their laurels as they will leave early this afternoon for a game tonight against the Tulsa Oilers (7:05 pm). Tulsa played in Wichita last night and lost 4-1.
- Since it is one game up and back to Tulsa coach Martinson will not take everyone on the trip. Who will go is undetermined because of a potential injury from the game last night and the possibility of getting some fresh legs in the lineup with this game being the third in three nights. Defenseman Anthony Celebrese was released yesterday so the roster currently has seven defensemen and 12 forwards (including Zach Hall).
- I would expect Jeremy Brodeur will get the start in goal against Tulsa.
- The game tonight will be the 12th of 13 times Allen plays Tulsa this season. After tonight these teams will not see each other again until March 21 when Tulsa visits Allen for their final regular season game against each other. In the 11 games they have played thus far Allen's record against the Oilers is 5-4-2-0 overall and 2-3 in Tulsa.
- The combined stats for the 11 previous games shows Allen has the edge in goals (36-32) but to no surprise Tulsa has the edge in shots (456-400). Allen has the better power play in the head to head games, 11/51 (21.6%) versus 5/38 (13.2%).
- Here is the match up between Allen and Tulsa:
ALLEN TULSA
Team Record 23-18-4-1 (51 points) 20-19-3-5 (49 points)
Division Ranking 4th - Mountain 5th -Mountain
Conference Ranking 6th - Western 10th - Western
League Ranking 13th 17th
Last Game 5-1 Win (Colorado) 4-1 Loss (Wichita)
Goals For 157 139
Goals Against 147 152
Power Play 19.5% (29/200) 12.9% (25/194
Home Power Play 20.2% (22/109) 12.9% (11/85)
Road Power Play 18.7% (17/91) 12.8% (14/109
Penalty Kill 80.2% (41/207) 81.7% (36/197)
Home Penalty Kill 85.6% (16/111) 83.5% (14/85)
Road Penalty Kill 74.0% (25/96) 80.4% (22/112)
Leading Scorer Pierro-Zabotel (13-37-50) Sampair (20-16-36)
Most PIM's Moore (133) Kessy (134)
- Here is how Allen and Tulsa rank in the ECHL in some statistical categories:
Penalty Minutes Per Game: Allen 1st (22.26) - Tulsa 9th (16.28)
Goals Scored Per Game: Allen 8th (3.41) - Tulsa 20th (2.96)
Goals Allowed Per Game: Allen 16th (3.20) - Tulsa 17th (3.23)
Shots For Per Game: Allen 16th (32.20) - Tulsa 1st (37.43)
Shots Against Per Game: Allen 23rd (36.93) - Tulsa 22nd (34.94)
Power Play Percentage: Allen 7th (19.5%) - Tulsa 26th (12.9%)
Penalty Kill Percentage: Allen 22nd (80.2%) - Tulsa 19th (81.7%)
- The most striking stats above are shots on goal. Tulsa leads the ECHL averaging almost 38 shots on goal per game while the Americans are ranked #23 in the ECHL allowing an average of 37 shots on goal per game. Against Allen the Oilers have averaged over 41 shots on goal. Coach Martinson talks about the way to reduce shots on goal is to avoid so many turnovers in the neutral zone and just inside the offensive blue line. If there is no play to be made dump the puck. Puck possession will be key tonight if the Americans expect to win. Allen won last night even though they allowed Colorado 40 shots on goal. The two games prior to last night (both wins) Allen allowed fewer than 30 shots on the goal. Allen doesn't necessarily have to out shoot Tulsa to win tonight but they need to keep the shot differential close.
- If you look at the special teams stats above, Tulsa struggles on the power play (12.9%) which is ranked #26 in the league. But they will be going up against the worst road power play in the league in Allen's 74.0%. Over the the last four games these teams have faced each other Allen has a big advanatge on special teams. Allen is 8-25 (32%) on the power play while Tulsa is 3-19 (15.8%). One thing the Allen power play unit has to guard against is shorthanded goals. Tulsa leads the ECHL with 11 shorties this season.
- It is a good bet the team that scores first tonight will win the game. That has been the case 10 of the 11 games Allen and Tulsa have played this season.
- Officials scheduled for the game are referee Andy Howard (#2) and linesmen Chuck Schamel (#97) and Addison Brush (#80).
OTHER COMMENTS
- Allen didn't gain any ground on Wichita or Idaho as they both won last night. They are both in action tonight, Wichita is at Quad City and Idaho is at home against Utah.
- In AHL action last night Olivier Archambault's team (Syracuse) lost to Utica 3-1. Archambault did play in the game but had all zeros on the score sheet. The San Jose Barracuda were in Stockton and shutout the Heat 3-0. San Jose is now tied for sixth place in the Pacific Division.
DID YOU KNOW: The top goal scorers for Allen this season are Alex Guptill who is ranked #16 in the ECHL with 18 goals and Bryan Moore who is ranked #48 in the ECHL with 14 goals. Another way to look at goal production is to look at average goals per game which accounts for games missed due to call ups and injuries. Here are the top players from last season and this season when you look at average goals per game.
Last season Allen's top three goal scorers were Greger Hanson (35), Chad Costello (33) and Bryan Moore (27). When you look at their average goals per game it looks like this:
.60 - Hanson
.54 - Moore
.46 - Costello
Here are the averages for this season:
.68 - Archambault
.56 - Pochiro
.52 - Arseneau
.46 - Guptill
.41 - Moore
The numbers for this season show just how potent the offense would be with everyone in the lineup.
- There were definitely some bright spots for the Americans. They scored first and they are hard to beat when they get the first goal. Allen's record when scoring first now stands at 18-4-1-0. They won the special teams battle by going 1-2 on the power play while killing all four Colorado power play opportunities. The Americans got outstanding goaltending from Stephon Williams who stopped 39 of 40 shots for a save percentage of .975.
- When you win a game 5-1 it is easy to conclude the team played a complete game but that was not the case last night. Allen scored five goals on just 23 shots which is a save percentage of .783. The last two times they had such a low shot total they lost 5-0 and 4-1.
- Despite outscoring the Eagles in every period the Americans were out shot in every period for a total shot count of 40-23. As coach Martinson shared with the fans after the game the team fell into old habits of too many turnovers and not winning battles for the puck. That creates more puck possession for the opponent which leads to more shots.
- Goal scorers for Allen were Joel Chouinard (9), Alex Guptill (17&18), Zach Pochiro (9) and Vincent Arseneau (12). I wouldn't be surprised if the Chouinard goal gets changed because when you look at the replay it is pretty clear Colby McAuley got a stick on the shot and tipped the puck past the goaltender. The video highlights of all the goals are posted at ECHL Rewind: https://www.echl.com/
- Here are the Sporfie highlights for all five Allen goals. A great way to slow down the play to see exactly what took place on each and every goal. If you haven't tried it you can grab the orange dot and move the reply back and forth to go as slow as frame by frame.
Joel Chouinard - A couple things to notice on this goal. The first is the great cross ice pass Arseneau makes to Chouinard. The second is how it is pretty clear when you go frame by frame and watch both Colby McAuley and the goalie that Colby got a piece of the puck. https://sporfie.app.link/6ZIytJaSdK
Alex Guptill - Bryan Moore makes two great plays on this goal. The first was to get the puck past the defenseman to create a two-on-one and then a great pass to Guptill past a sprawling defender. Notice how Bryan stays wide to keep the goalie further to his side of the net. Guptill, who has been red hot, makes no mistake on the finish. https://sporfie.app.link/acox9AOUdK
Zach Pochiro - This is another goal to slow down and take several looks. This is the power play goal and the first thing to notice is Eric Roy in the middle of the ice out at the blue line. Makowski spots Asuchak with a lot of open ice and makes a cross ice pass. Asuchak makes a great play first to catch the pass which was behind him and then skates toward the net (staying wide to draw the goalie) and makes a pass (ala Chad Costello) through the slot right on the tape to Zach Pochiro who was wide open. The goalie didn't have a chance as Zach puts the puck in the back of the net. https://sporfie.app.link/Tt7DLgyVdK
Vincent Arseneau - Arseneau makes two great plays on this goal. First he creates the goal scoring opportunity by getting the puck past Eagles defenseman Matt Register and then he uses his wicked snap shot to cleanly beat the goalie. Here are two different views:
https://sporfie.app.link/aIf7YKaZdK
https://sporfie.app.link/nMZB0OaZdK
Alex Guptill - Lots to watch on this replay. You will see Mike Gunn take a shot, break his stick and head to the bench. Zach Pochiro comes up with the puck and backs off to the side boards, spots Josh Thrower, who you can see calling for the puck. Pochiro makes a cross ice pass to Thrower. Josh makes a great pass to Gutpill in the slot who can't seem to miss the last couple of games and puts a backhand past the goalie. https://sporfie.app.link/VwRvDgc0dK
- Here is the game recap from the Colorado Eagles website: http://coloradoeagles.com/eagles-news/colorado-drops-third-straight-with-5-1-loss-to-americans/
- Five players had multi point games for Allen last night led by Zach Pochiro who had a goal and two assists, Alex Guptill with two goals including the game winner, Joel Chouinard with a goal and an assist along with a +3, Vincent Arseneau with a goal and assist and David Makowski with two assists.
STEVE MARTINSON'S POST GAME COMMENTS
- Before the coach's post game quotes here is what he had to say in his pregame interview with Kayla McLain.
- Post Game Quotes:
"I liked that we scored five goals and I liked that we won the game but to watch us give up that goal was painful. It was a three-on-three and our back checking forward leaves the top goal scorer in the league and cheats over to a guy with a much lower probability of scoring."
"After not playing the last few games Stephon Williams comes out and battles like that and does an outstanding job so it was extra painful to watch us give up the lone goal Colorado scored."
"It was good to see some of the goals we scored tonight. Arseneau is playing better each game coming off an injury. That was a typical Arseneau snap shot on his goal which is just a rocket."
"I thought Josh Thrower really stepped up his game tonight. He had more ice time, he made a really nice play on Guptill's second goal, he moved the puck well and he moved his feet well."
"There were some positives but there are still guys turning over the puck and losing puck battles so we are not there yet. We are winning but there are some things we need to improve and some guys need to step up their game. We have some guys playing really strong and some playing a little weak and they have to step it up."
"Tomorrow night is a big game for us."
"The penalty kill was 4-4 but we weren't great up top so there is room for improvement on the PK."
"They made some mistakes and we were able to capitalize. We had two goals on two-on-ones and we haven't seen that too often over the last month."
ALLEN VS TULSA GAME PREVIEW
- Allen has now won three in a row but have no time to rest on their laurels as they will leave early this afternoon for a game tonight against the Tulsa Oilers (7:05 pm). Tulsa played in Wichita last night and lost 4-1.
- Since it is one game up and back to Tulsa coach Martinson will not take everyone on the trip. Who will go is undetermined because of a potential injury from the game last night and the possibility of getting some fresh legs in the lineup with this game being the third in three nights. Defenseman Anthony Celebrese was released yesterday so the roster currently has seven defensemen and 12 forwards (including Zach Hall).
- I would expect Jeremy Brodeur will get the start in goal against Tulsa.
- The game tonight will be the 12th of 13 times Allen plays Tulsa this season. After tonight these teams will not see each other again until March 21 when Tulsa visits Allen for their final regular season game against each other. In the 11 games they have played thus far Allen's record against the Oilers is 5-4-2-0 overall and 2-3 in Tulsa.
- The combined stats for the 11 previous games shows Allen has the edge in goals (36-32) but to no surprise Tulsa has the edge in shots (456-400). Allen has the better power play in the head to head games, 11/51 (21.6%) versus 5/38 (13.2%).
- Here is the match up between Allen and Tulsa:
ALLEN TULSA
Team Record 23-18-4-1 (51 points) 20-19-3-5 (49 points)
Division Ranking 4th - Mountain 5th -Mountain
Conference Ranking 6th - Western 10th - Western
League Ranking 13th 17th
Last Game 5-1 Win (Colorado) 4-1 Loss (Wichita)
Goals For 157 139
Goals Against 147 152
Power Play 19.5% (29/200) 12.9% (25/194
Home Power Play 20.2% (22/109) 12.9% (11/85)
Road Power Play 18.7% (17/91) 12.8% (14/109
Penalty Kill 80.2% (41/207) 81.7% (36/197)
Home Penalty Kill 85.6% (16/111) 83.5% (14/85)
Road Penalty Kill 74.0% (25/96) 80.4% (22/112)
Leading Scorer Pierro-Zabotel (13-37-50) Sampair (20-16-36)
Most PIM's Moore (133) Kessy (134)
- Here is how Allen and Tulsa rank in the ECHL in some statistical categories:
Penalty Minutes Per Game: Allen 1st (22.26) - Tulsa 9th (16.28)
Goals Scored Per Game: Allen 8th (3.41) - Tulsa 20th (2.96)
Goals Allowed Per Game: Allen 16th (3.20) - Tulsa 17th (3.23)
Shots For Per Game: Allen 16th (32.20) - Tulsa 1st (37.43)
Shots Against Per Game: Allen 23rd (36.93) - Tulsa 22nd (34.94)
Power Play Percentage: Allen 7th (19.5%) - Tulsa 26th (12.9%)
Penalty Kill Percentage: Allen 22nd (80.2%) - Tulsa 19th (81.7%)
- The most striking stats above are shots on goal. Tulsa leads the ECHL averaging almost 38 shots on goal per game while the Americans are ranked #23 in the ECHL allowing an average of 37 shots on goal per game. Against Allen the Oilers have averaged over 41 shots on goal. Coach Martinson talks about the way to reduce shots on goal is to avoid so many turnovers in the neutral zone and just inside the offensive blue line. If there is no play to be made dump the puck. Puck possession will be key tonight if the Americans expect to win. Allen won last night even though they allowed Colorado 40 shots on goal. The two games prior to last night (both wins) Allen allowed fewer than 30 shots on the goal. Allen doesn't necessarily have to out shoot Tulsa to win tonight but they need to keep the shot differential close.
- If you look at the special teams stats above, Tulsa struggles on the power play (12.9%) which is ranked #26 in the league. But they will be going up against the worst road power play in the league in Allen's 74.0%. Over the the last four games these teams have faced each other Allen has a big advanatge on special teams. Allen is 8-25 (32%) on the power play while Tulsa is 3-19 (15.8%). One thing the Allen power play unit has to guard against is shorthanded goals. Tulsa leads the ECHL with 11 shorties this season.
- It is a good bet the team that scores first tonight will win the game. That has been the case 10 of the 11 games Allen and Tulsa have played this season.
- Officials scheduled for the game are referee Andy Howard (#2) and linesmen Chuck Schamel (#97) and Addison Brush (#80).
OTHER COMMENTS
- Allen didn't gain any ground on Wichita or Idaho as they both won last night. They are both in action tonight, Wichita is at Quad City and Idaho is at home against Utah.
- In AHL action last night Olivier Archambault's team (Syracuse) lost to Utica 3-1. Archambault did play in the game but had all zeros on the score sheet. The San Jose Barracuda were in Stockton and shutout the Heat 3-0. San Jose is now tied for sixth place in the Pacific Division.
DID YOU KNOW: The top goal scorers for Allen this season are Alex Guptill who is ranked #16 in the ECHL with 18 goals and Bryan Moore who is ranked #48 in the ECHL with 14 goals. Another way to look at goal production is to look at average goals per game which accounts for games missed due to call ups and injuries. Here are the top players from last season and this season when you look at average goals per game.
Last season Allen's top three goal scorers were Greger Hanson (35), Chad Costello (33) and Bryan Moore (27). When you look at their average goals per game it looks like this:
.60 - Hanson
.54 - Moore
.46 - Costello
Here are the averages for this season:
.68 - Archambault
.56 - Pochiro
.52 - Arseneau
.46 - Guptill
.41 - Moore
The numbers for this season show just how potent the offense would be with everyone in the lineup.
Friday, February 2, 2018
Allen Beats Colorado 5-2, Game Recap, Martinson's Post Game Comments, Rematch Preview and Chad Costello's 120+ Point Seasons in Perspective
The Allen Americans rose to the challenge to beat league leading Colorado 5-2 last night in a game that was much closer than the final score. The 3184 fans that showed up at the Allen Event Center (AEC) for the only Thursday night game of the season were entertained with five goals by the home team, three fights and of course the victory.
- Allen got off to the good start they were looking for by scoring the first goal of the game at the 1:58 mark of the opening period on a shot from the point by Joel Chouinard. Scoring first put the odds of winning in Allen's favor as they are now 17-4-1-0 when scoring first.
- Colorado scored late in the first period to tie the score 1-1 and had the only goal in the second period to take a 2-1 lead heading into the locker room for the second intermission. Allen dominated the third period with four unanswered goals while out shooting the Eagles 14-9. The game wasn't decided until Allen scored two empty net goals by Alex Guptill and Casey Pierro-Zabotel.
- It was quite the accomplishment for the Americans to come back when trailing after the second period. It was only the second time all season Allen won in regulation when trailing after the second period. It was the first time all season Colorado has lost a game in regulation when leading after the second period.
- Allen used last change to get the matchup they wanted and throttled Michael Joly, the leagues top goal scorer, who is averaging almost a goal a game. Allen didn't allow Joly a goal or an assist, limited him to just two shots in the game and he was -3. Allen also kept their former player, long time nemesis and the ECHL 's top scoring defenseman, Matt Register off the score sheet.
- Goal scorers for Allen were Joel Chouinard (8), Alex Guptill (15&16), David Makowski (8) and Casey Pierro-Zabotel (13). Unfortunately as I write this there are no video highlights on ECHL Rewind, no Sporfie highlights and no game recap on the Allen Americans website. Maybe they will show up later in the day. Here is the game recap from the Colorado Eagles: http://coloradoeagles.com/eagles-news/eagles-surrender-four-goals-in-3rd-period-fall-5-2-to-allen/
- Here is Kayla McLain's pregame interview with coach Martinson where he talks about his approach to slowing down the Eagle's top scorer, Michael Joly.
STEVE MARTINSON'S POST GAME COMMENTS
"I liked the beginning of the game but then we had a little lull. I didn't like the power play and probably you guys didn't like it either but I really liked the third period."
"We got in behind their defense a couple of times. It was good to see us show some resolve in the third period and up our game."
"That was quite a play Moore made to hold the puck and give it to Guptill for the hat trick attempt empty net."
"We dug ourselves a hole over the last month so we have to play like this every game now. I am confident in our team. We have to get a little quicker and a couple of our guys with speed need to use that speed more. We will get more speed in the lineup when we get Zach Hall back. He has been cleared to play so it is day to day when he is ready."
"Pierro-Zabotel had a nice night against his old team with a goal and an assist plus he screened their goalie on a couple of our goals."
"We didn't move the puck very well and didn't make good decisions on our power play chances. Sometimes as we were coming into the zone we had the outside guy open but didn't make the pass. At other times we made bad passes when guys were set up for one timers. There are some things we need to do to help the power play without being specific."
"I thought we got pucks to the net and were strong in front of the net tonight and that was the difference."
"We were strong in the third period but I don't think we played our best game. I think we played better in our last game against Wichita."
ALLEN VS COLORADO REMATCH PREVIEW
- Allen came away with a win last night despite losing the special teams battle. Allen was 0-5 on the power play while Colorado was 1-3. The Americans have a slight advantage on special teams when you look at the percentages and they need to capitalize on that advantage if they expect to win tonight. Allen's home power play percentage is 19.6% compared to Colorado on the road of 18.9%. Allen's home penalty kill is 85.0% compared to Colorado on the road of 82.3%.
- Allen beat the odds coming back from a 2-1 deficit after the second period. Against the Eagles it is imperative to get off to a good start and not play from behind. The Americans tempted fate last night and it worked but don't expect Colorado to cough up a lead late in the game again tonight.
- Allen did a great job against Micheal Joly last night. They need to repeat that tonight but it won't be easy. Until last night Joly had not gone more than one game without a point. He had his worst game of the season against the Americans with no points, just two shots and a -3. Using the same tactic as last night with Chouinard, Makowski and the Pierro-Zabotel line matched up against Joly, the Americans will have their hands full keeping him off the score sheet for the third straight game.
OTHER COMMENTS
- With a goal and assist last night Casey Pierro-Zabotel once again sits atop the ECHL scoring race with 50 points (13 goals 37 assists). Shawn Szydlowski (Fort Wayne) is in second place with 49 points (21 goals 28 assists) and Micheal Joly is in third with 48 points (33 goals 15 assists).
- Alex Guptill had two goals last night and a couple of great chances for the hat trick with the net empty. Guptill is now the leading goal scorer for Allen with 16 (7 in Rapid City, 9 in Allen).
- Allen and Colorado are the two most penalized teams in the ECHL so you had to expect some fisticuffs last night and it didn't take long. The top fighters on both teams got things going in the first period with a great scrap. Josh Thrower rocked Colorado's Joey Ratelle with a couple of huge right hands that buckled Ratelle's knees but he didn't go down. They went toe to toe in one of the most entertaining fights of the season. Vincent Arseneau had two fights in the game and was throwing his body around finishing checks all over the ice as only Arseneau can do.
- Jeremy Brodeur was in goal for Allen for the third straight game and has played great in all three. His save percentage for the three games was .951, .931 and last night .929. Allen is in the midst of three games in three days so you can expected Stephon Williams to get a start in one of the next two games.
- With the win last night Allen jumped over Tulsa in the standings back into fourth place and the final playoff spot. With all of the trouble over the last month Allen is only five points out of second place in the Mountain Division. With a full slate of games around the ECHL tonight Allen will have to win to keep pace. In addition to Colorado at Allen, Tulsa is at Wichita and Utah visits Idaho.
- Midweek games are a tough draw and the 3184 at the game last night is not a great number but compared to the other two games around the league last night Allen did pretty good. Allen averages 3903 per game and had 3184 in attendance last night. Jacksonville averages 5379 per game but only had 2978 last night. Kalamazoo averages 2692 per game but drew only 1104 last night. It seems like for the vast majority of teams in the ECHL if they eliminated six midweek games during the season and reduced the total games to 66 they would actually make more money. Addition by subtraction!
DID YOU KNOW: In the 30 year history of the ECHL scoring 120 or more points in a season has only been accomplished 12 times by 10 different players. Chad Costello scored 120+ points in 2014-15 and 2016-17. With the exception of Chad all of the other 120+ point performances took place in an era of high scoring. It makes what he was able to do all that more impressive. Here are the seasons when 120 or more points were scored.
1988-89
1989-90
1990-91 (twice)
1991-92
1992-93
1993-94 (twice)
1995-96 (twice)
2014-15
2016-17
- Allen got off to the good start they were looking for by scoring the first goal of the game at the 1:58 mark of the opening period on a shot from the point by Joel Chouinard. Scoring first put the odds of winning in Allen's favor as they are now 17-4-1-0 when scoring first.
- Colorado scored late in the first period to tie the score 1-1 and had the only goal in the second period to take a 2-1 lead heading into the locker room for the second intermission. Allen dominated the third period with four unanswered goals while out shooting the Eagles 14-9. The game wasn't decided until Allen scored two empty net goals by Alex Guptill and Casey Pierro-Zabotel.
- It was quite the accomplishment for the Americans to come back when trailing after the second period. It was only the second time all season Allen won in regulation when trailing after the second period. It was the first time all season Colorado has lost a game in regulation when leading after the second period.
- Allen used last change to get the matchup they wanted and throttled Michael Joly, the leagues top goal scorer, who is averaging almost a goal a game. Allen didn't allow Joly a goal or an assist, limited him to just two shots in the game and he was -3. Allen also kept their former player, long time nemesis and the ECHL 's top scoring defenseman, Matt Register off the score sheet.
- Goal scorers for Allen were Joel Chouinard (8), Alex Guptill (15&16), David Makowski (8) and Casey Pierro-Zabotel (13). Unfortunately as I write this there are no video highlights on ECHL Rewind, no Sporfie highlights and no game recap on the Allen Americans website. Maybe they will show up later in the day. Here is the game recap from the Colorado Eagles: http://coloradoeagles.com/eagles-news/eagles-surrender-four-goals-in-3rd-period-fall-5-2-to-allen/
- Here is Kayla McLain's pregame interview with coach Martinson where he talks about his approach to slowing down the Eagle's top scorer, Michael Joly.
STEVE MARTINSON'S POST GAME COMMENTS
"I liked the beginning of the game but then we had a little lull. I didn't like the power play and probably you guys didn't like it either but I really liked the third period."
"We got in behind their defense a couple of times. It was good to see us show some resolve in the third period and up our game."
"That was quite a play Moore made to hold the puck and give it to Guptill for the hat trick attempt empty net."
"We dug ourselves a hole over the last month so we have to play like this every game now. I am confident in our team. We have to get a little quicker and a couple of our guys with speed need to use that speed more. We will get more speed in the lineup when we get Zach Hall back. He has been cleared to play so it is day to day when he is ready."
"Pierro-Zabotel had a nice night against his old team with a goal and an assist plus he screened their goalie on a couple of our goals."
"We didn't move the puck very well and didn't make good decisions on our power play chances. Sometimes as we were coming into the zone we had the outside guy open but didn't make the pass. At other times we made bad passes when guys were set up for one timers. There are some things we need to do to help the power play without being specific."
"I thought we got pucks to the net and were strong in front of the net tonight and that was the difference."
"We were strong in the third period but I don't think we played our best game. I think we played better in our last game against Wichita."
ALLEN VS COLORADO REMATCH PREVIEW
- Allen came away with a win last night despite losing the special teams battle. Allen was 0-5 on the power play while Colorado was 1-3. The Americans have a slight advantage on special teams when you look at the percentages and they need to capitalize on that advantage if they expect to win tonight. Allen's home power play percentage is 19.6% compared to Colorado on the road of 18.9%. Allen's home penalty kill is 85.0% compared to Colorado on the road of 82.3%.
- Allen beat the odds coming back from a 2-1 deficit after the second period. Against the Eagles it is imperative to get off to a good start and not play from behind. The Americans tempted fate last night and it worked but don't expect Colorado to cough up a lead late in the game again tonight.
- Allen did a great job against Micheal Joly last night. They need to repeat that tonight but it won't be easy. Until last night Joly had not gone more than one game without a point. He had his worst game of the season against the Americans with no points, just two shots and a -3. Using the same tactic as last night with Chouinard, Makowski and the Pierro-Zabotel line matched up against Joly, the Americans will have their hands full keeping him off the score sheet for the third straight game.
OTHER COMMENTS
- With a goal and assist last night Casey Pierro-Zabotel once again sits atop the ECHL scoring race with 50 points (13 goals 37 assists). Shawn Szydlowski (Fort Wayne) is in second place with 49 points (21 goals 28 assists) and Micheal Joly is in third with 48 points (33 goals 15 assists).
- Alex Guptill had two goals last night and a couple of great chances for the hat trick with the net empty. Guptill is now the leading goal scorer for Allen with 16 (7 in Rapid City, 9 in Allen).
- Allen and Colorado are the two most penalized teams in the ECHL so you had to expect some fisticuffs last night and it didn't take long. The top fighters on both teams got things going in the first period with a great scrap. Josh Thrower rocked Colorado's Joey Ratelle with a couple of huge right hands that buckled Ratelle's knees but he didn't go down. They went toe to toe in one of the most entertaining fights of the season. Vincent Arseneau had two fights in the game and was throwing his body around finishing checks all over the ice as only Arseneau can do.
- Jeremy Brodeur was in goal for Allen for the third straight game and has played great in all three. His save percentage for the three games was .951, .931 and last night .929. Allen is in the midst of three games in three days so you can expected Stephon Williams to get a start in one of the next two games.
- With the win last night Allen jumped over Tulsa in the standings back into fourth place and the final playoff spot. With all of the trouble over the last month Allen is only five points out of second place in the Mountain Division. With a full slate of games around the ECHL tonight Allen will have to win to keep pace. In addition to Colorado at Allen, Tulsa is at Wichita and Utah visits Idaho.
- Midweek games are a tough draw and the 3184 at the game last night is not a great number but compared to the other two games around the league last night Allen did pretty good. Allen averages 3903 per game and had 3184 in attendance last night. Jacksonville averages 5379 per game but only had 2978 last night. Kalamazoo averages 2692 per game but drew only 1104 last night. It seems like for the vast majority of teams in the ECHL if they eliminated six midweek games during the season and reduced the total games to 66 they would actually make more money. Addition by subtraction!
DID YOU KNOW: In the 30 year history of the ECHL scoring 120 or more points in a season has only been accomplished 12 times by 10 different players. Chad Costello scored 120+ points in 2014-15 and 2016-17. With the exception of Chad all of the other 120+ point performances took place in an era of high scoring. It makes what he was able to do all that more impressive. Here are the seasons when 120 or more points were scored.
1988-89
1989-90
1990-91 (twice)
1991-92
1992-93
1993-94 (twice)
1995-96 (twice)
2014-15
2016-17
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Shocker - Three Strange Things About Today, Allen vs Colorado Game Preview, Sharks Affiliated Teams Update & The Penalty Free Playoff Game
It is gameday for the Allen Americans and it is a strange one for several reasons. It is the only Thursday game of the season, home or away. The Americans will be playing Colorado for the first time all season, the last Mountain Division team for Allen to play. After playing Tulsa 11 times, Wichita 10 times, Idaho seven times, Rapid City five times and Utah twice it is finally time to see the Kelly Cup champs.
- The strangest thing about today is the Allen Americans find themselves outside of a playoff spot for the first time all season. Tulsa beat Wichita 6-3 at home last night and leaped over Allen into fourth place in the Mountain Division. Allen has never been on the outside looking in at the playoffs this late in the season since Steve Martinson became the coach. To be fair Allen has two games in hand over Tulsa and a chance to get back into fourth place and the playoffs with a win tonight against Colorado.
- It won't be an easy task for Allen going against the Eagles tonight. After all Colorado is the best team in the ECHL and has more points (66-47) and a better winning percentage (.767-.534) than the Americans. Colorado is 7-3 in their last 10 games while Allen is 3-7.
- What works in Allen's favor is they are at home, they are well rested having not played since last Saturday, they have some momentum from breaking their losing streak with a 5-2 win over Wichita in their last game and they will have their best lineup in a long time on the ice tonight.
- Coach Martinson has mentioned Zach Pochiro and Vincent Arseneau will get better with each game after sitting out with injuries. They have both had a good week of practice and should be standouts in the game tonight. Zach Hall was a full participant in practice yesterday and will be activated at some point this weekend but not necessarily for tonight. Activating Hall may require other roster changes since he would make the 22nd healthy player.
- Jeremy Brodeur has started the last two games for Allen and had save percentages of .951 and .931. Even though coach Martinson has rotated goalies all season I wouldn't be surprised if he goes with the hot hand and Brodeur gets his third straight start in this critical game against Colorado. With three games in the next three days both goalies will see action.
- Several readers have asked about the status of Gary Steffes. Because of his work commitments and the the number of healthy players now available he will not be joining the team anytime soon. Don't count him out, however, for another stint in Allen later in the season if the need arises.
Here are the updated stats between Allen and Colorado:
ALLEN COLORADO
Team Record 21-18-4-1 (47 points) 31-8-4-0 (66 points)
Division Ranking 5th - Mountain 1st - Mountain
Conference Ranking 9th - Western 1st - Western
League Ranking 16th 1st
Last Game 5-2 Win (Wichita) 3-1 Win (Kansas City)
Goals For 147 169
Goals Against 144 124
Power Play 19.7% (38/193) 19.1% (37/194)
Home Power Play 20.5% (21/102) 19.6% (21/107)
Road Power Play 18.7% (17/91) 18.4% (16/87)
Penalty Kill 80.0% (40/200) 84.9% (26/172)
Home Penalty Kill 85.6% (15/104) 87.8% (12/98)
Road Penalty Kill 74.0% (25/96) 81.1% (14/74)
Most PIM Moore (129) Ratelle (121)
Leading Scorers: Pierro-Zabotel (12-36-48) Joly (33-15-48)
- Here is how Allen and Colorado rank in the ECHL in major statistical categories:
Penalty Minutes Per Game: Allen 1st (22.52) - Colorado 2nd (19.79)
Goals Scored Per Game: Allen 9th (3.34) - Colorado 2nd (3.93)
Goals Allowed Per Game: Allen 17th (3.27) - Colorado 5th (2.88)
Shots For Per Game: Allen 15th (32.30) - Colorado 20th (31.21)
Shots Against Per Game: Allen 23rd (37.07) - Colorado 12th (31.51)
Power Play Percentage: Allen 5th (19.7%) - Colorado 9th (19.1%)
Home Power Play %: Allen 4th (20.6%) - Colorado 6th (19.6%)
Road Power Play %: Allen 12th (18.7%) - Colorado 13th (18.4%)
Penalty Kill Percentage: Allen 22nd (80.0%) - Colorado 6th (84.9%)
Home Penalty Kill %: Allen 8th (85.6%) - Colorado 3rd (87.8%)
Road Penalty Kill %: Allen 27th (74.0%) - Colorado 17th (81.1%)
- The most important stats above are goals scored and allowed where Colorado scores more than Allen (3.93 vs 3.34) and allows fewer goals than Allen (2.88 vs 3.27). That translates to a goal differential of +3 for Allen (147-144) and +45 (169-124) for Colorado. Big advantage for the Eagles.
- Allen does have a slight advantage on special teams when you look at the percentages. Allen's home power play percentage is 20.6% compared to Colorado on the road of 18.4%. Allen's home penalty kill is 85.6% compared to Colorado on the road of 81.1%.
- A good start is always important but even more so against a team like Colorado. Both of these teams are best in the first period with Allen out scoring their opponents 52-33 and Colorado outscoring their opponents 50-29. With a a lead after the first period Colorado is 19-2-0-0 so the Americans don't want to get behind.
- Even with a lead after the second period Allen needs to be careful as Colorado has outscored their opponents 53-43 in the third period while Allen has been outscored 52-45 in the third period. Allen is 1-10-2-0 when trailing after the second period, Colorado is 4-6-0-0.
- A big key for Allen tonight is to find a way to control the most prolific goal scorer in the league in #16 Michael Joly. If the Americans can keep him off the score-sheet they will have a good chance of winning. That is what Kansas City did on Tuesday night when they beat the Eagles 3-1. It will be easier said than done as Joly has been held scoreless only five times all season and never in back to back games. He has scored 33 goals in 35 games this season. This is the second year in the league for the 22 year old and he has 56 goals in 64 games. Joly has 13 goals in his last 10 games. If you are attending the game tonight keep an eye on #16 every time he takes the ice.
- Officials scheduled for the game are referee Stephen Reneau (#17) and linesmen Brian Bull (#95) and Cameron Dykstra (#0).
OTHER COMMENTS
- It is a light schedule around the ECHL tonight with just three games on the schedule. In addition to Colorado at Allen, Rapid City is at Kalamazoo and Atlanta visits Jacksonville. With a win tonight Allen can move back into fourth place in the Mountain Division and gain two points on all the teams ahead of them in the standings. Here are the current Mountain Division standings with games played in parentheses.
66 points - Colorado (43 games)
54 points - Idaho (44 games)
51 points - Wichita (42 games)
48 points - Tulsa (46 games)
47 points - Allen (44 games)
42 points - Utah (45 games)
32 points - Rapid City (43 games)
- Here is the ECHL Today for February 1st which covers the three ECHL games on tap tonight. https://www.echl.com/echl-today-feb-1-2018
- It has been a tough slog for the San Jose Sharks affiliated teams. Allen has fallen to fifth place in the Mountain Division and out of a playoff spot. The Barracuda are out of the playoffs in seventh place in the Pacific Division. The Sharks are still in the playoffs and are in second place in the Pacific Division but lost last night to Detroit (2-1 in a shootout) and have now lost four straight. The Sharks winning percentage is .600 with the Barracuda at .538 and the Americans at .534. This compares to last season (2016-17) when the winning percentages were .722 (Allen), .699 (Barracuda) and .604 (Sharks).
DID YOU KNOW: Allen was eliminated by Colorado in the second round of the playoffs last season and went on to win the Kelly Cup. In the regular season these teams were ranked #1 and #2 in penalty minutes in the ECHL. Allen had 1432 minutes and Colorado had 1415. When it came to crunch time in that playoff series the teams either turned into angels or the referees decided to swallow their whistles. Allen was called for two penalties in game five and three penalties in game six. That was nothing compared to Colorado who was called for one penalty in game five and none in the series deciding game six.
- The strangest thing about today is the Allen Americans find themselves outside of a playoff spot for the first time all season. Tulsa beat Wichita 6-3 at home last night and leaped over Allen into fourth place in the Mountain Division. Allen has never been on the outside looking in at the playoffs this late in the season since Steve Martinson became the coach. To be fair Allen has two games in hand over Tulsa and a chance to get back into fourth place and the playoffs with a win tonight against Colorado.
- It won't be an easy task for Allen going against the Eagles tonight. After all Colorado is the best team in the ECHL and has more points (66-47) and a better winning percentage (.767-.534) than the Americans. Colorado is 7-3 in their last 10 games while Allen is 3-7.
- What works in Allen's favor is they are at home, they are well rested having not played since last Saturday, they have some momentum from breaking their losing streak with a 5-2 win over Wichita in their last game and they will have their best lineup in a long time on the ice tonight.
- Coach Martinson has mentioned Zach Pochiro and Vincent Arseneau will get better with each game after sitting out with injuries. They have both had a good week of practice and should be standouts in the game tonight. Zach Hall was a full participant in practice yesterday and will be activated at some point this weekend but not necessarily for tonight. Activating Hall may require other roster changes since he would make the 22nd healthy player.
- Jeremy Brodeur has started the last two games for Allen and had save percentages of .951 and .931. Even though coach Martinson has rotated goalies all season I wouldn't be surprised if he goes with the hot hand and Brodeur gets his third straight start in this critical game against Colorado. With three games in the next three days both goalies will see action.
- Several readers have asked about the status of Gary Steffes. Because of his work commitments and the the number of healthy players now available he will not be joining the team anytime soon. Don't count him out, however, for another stint in Allen later in the season if the need arises.
Here are the updated stats between Allen and Colorado:
ALLEN COLORADO
Team Record 21-18-4-1 (47 points) 31-8-4-0 (66 points)
Division Ranking 5th - Mountain 1st - Mountain
Conference Ranking 9th - Western 1st - Western
League Ranking 16th 1st
Last Game 5-2 Win (Wichita) 3-1 Win (Kansas City)
Goals For 147 169
Goals Against 144 124
Power Play 19.7% (38/193) 19.1% (37/194)
Home Power Play 20.5% (21/102) 19.6% (21/107)
Road Power Play 18.7% (17/91) 18.4% (16/87)
Penalty Kill 80.0% (40/200) 84.9% (26/172)
Home Penalty Kill 85.6% (15/104) 87.8% (12/98)
Road Penalty Kill 74.0% (25/96) 81.1% (14/74)
Most PIM Moore (129) Ratelle (121)
Leading Scorers: Pierro-Zabotel (12-36-48) Joly (33-15-48)
- Here is how Allen and Colorado rank in the ECHL in major statistical categories:
Penalty Minutes Per Game: Allen 1st (22.52) - Colorado 2nd (19.79)
Goals Scored Per Game: Allen 9th (3.34) - Colorado 2nd (3.93)
Goals Allowed Per Game: Allen 17th (3.27) - Colorado 5th (2.88)
Shots For Per Game: Allen 15th (32.30) - Colorado 20th (31.21)
Shots Against Per Game: Allen 23rd (37.07) - Colorado 12th (31.51)
Power Play Percentage: Allen 5th (19.7%) - Colorado 9th (19.1%)
Home Power Play %: Allen 4th (20.6%) - Colorado 6th (19.6%)
Road Power Play %: Allen 12th (18.7%) - Colorado 13th (18.4%)
Penalty Kill Percentage: Allen 22nd (80.0%) - Colorado 6th (84.9%)
Home Penalty Kill %: Allen 8th (85.6%) - Colorado 3rd (87.8%)
Road Penalty Kill %: Allen 27th (74.0%) - Colorado 17th (81.1%)
- The most important stats above are goals scored and allowed where Colorado scores more than Allen (3.93 vs 3.34) and allows fewer goals than Allen (2.88 vs 3.27). That translates to a goal differential of +3 for Allen (147-144) and +45 (169-124) for Colorado. Big advantage for the Eagles.
- Allen does have a slight advantage on special teams when you look at the percentages. Allen's home power play percentage is 20.6% compared to Colorado on the road of 18.4%. Allen's home penalty kill is 85.6% compared to Colorado on the road of 81.1%.
- A good start is always important but even more so against a team like Colorado. Both of these teams are best in the first period with Allen out scoring their opponents 52-33 and Colorado outscoring their opponents 50-29. With a a lead after the first period Colorado is 19-2-0-0 so the Americans don't want to get behind.
- Even with a lead after the second period Allen needs to be careful as Colorado has outscored their opponents 53-43 in the third period while Allen has been outscored 52-45 in the third period. Allen is 1-10-2-0 when trailing after the second period, Colorado is 4-6-0-0.
- A big key for Allen tonight is to find a way to control the most prolific goal scorer in the league in #16 Michael Joly. If the Americans can keep him off the score-sheet they will have a good chance of winning. That is what Kansas City did on Tuesday night when they beat the Eagles 3-1. It will be easier said than done as Joly has been held scoreless only five times all season and never in back to back games. He has scored 33 goals in 35 games this season. This is the second year in the league for the 22 year old and he has 56 goals in 64 games. Joly has 13 goals in his last 10 games. If you are attending the game tonight keep an eye on #16 every time he takes the ice.
- Officials scheduled for the game are referee Stephen Reneau (#17) and linesmen Brian Bull (#95) and Cameron Dykstra (#0).
OTHER COMMENTS
- It is a light schedule around the ECHL tonight with just three games on the schedule. In addition to Colorado at Allen, Rapid City is at Kalamazoo and Atlanta visits Jacksonville. With a win tonight Allen can move back into fourth place in the Mountain Division and gain two points on all the teams ahead of them in the standings. Here are the current Mountain Division standings with games played in parentheses.
66 points - Colorado (43 games)
54 points - Idaho (44 games)
51 points - Wichita (42 games)
48 points - Tulsa (46 games)
47 points - Allen (44 games)
42 points - Utah (45 games)
32 points - Rapid City (43 games)
- Here is the ECHL Today for February 1st which covers the three ECHL games on tap tonight. https://www.echl.com/echl-today-feb-1-2018
- It has been a tough slog for the San Jose Sharks affiliated teams. Allen has fallen to fifth place in the Mountain Division and out of a playoff spot. The Barracuda are out of the playoffs in seventh place in the Pacific Division. The Sharks are still in the playoffs and are in second place in the Pacific Division but lost last night to Detroit (2-1 in a shootout) and have now lost four straight. The Sharks winning percentage is .600 with the Barracuda at .538 and the Americans at .534. This compares to last season (2016-17) when the winning percentages were .722 (Allen), .699 (Barracuda) and .604 (Sharks).
DID YOU KNOW: Allen was eliminated by Colorado in the second round of the playoffs last season and went on to win the Kelly Cup. In the regular season these teams were ranked #1 and #2 in penalty minutes in the ECHL. Allen had 1432 minutes and Colorado had 1415. When it came to crunch time in that playoff series the teams either turned into angels or the referees decided to swallow their whistles. Allen was called for two penalties in game five and three penalties in game six. That was nothing compared to Colorado who was called for one penalty in game five and none in the series deciding game six.
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