Allen Lays an Egg, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Steve Martinson's Comments, Player Profiles on Brett Neumann and Darian Skeoch and More

 

The Allen Americans were playing the Wichita Thunder last night for the first time since February 6. Long time rivals battling for the top spot in the Western Conference, the game was a measuring stick for both teams. The Americans fell way short of expectations as the smallest crowd of the season (1146) at the Allen Event Center (AEC) watched Allen lose to Wichita 4-1. 

- Playing without leading scorer Corey Mackin the Americans could not generate enough offense in any phase of the game. Allen did manage the first goal of the game at the 15:10 mark of the first period when Les Lancaster batted in the puck out of midair to score is 15th goal of the season, tops among ECHL defensemen. Samuel Laberge and Brett Neumann had the assists. It was Neumann's first pro point. 

- Two minutes later a defensive breakdown resulted in Wichita getting the equalizer and the teams ended the first period tied 1-1. Allen could not find the back of the net the rest of the game and special teams were the difference. After a few weeks of outstanding special teams play, the power play and penalty kill struggled against Wichita. I am sure Mackin was missed on special teams as he leads the team in power play goals and shorthanded goals and is a big part of the power play and penalty killing units. Allen was 0-6 on the power play after scoring at least one power play goals in the last six games. The Americans allowed two power play goals to Wichita in just five opportunities. Allen hadn't allowed a power play goal in the last four games and hadn't allowed two power play goals in the last month.

 

- Allen did manage to outshoot Wichita 31-25 but that is not unusual as Wichita allows more shots than any team in the ECHL. The Thunder have been outshot in 65% of their games but have a record of 18-11-3-1 in those games. Wichita is successful because of its goalie play. Allen has a great team save percentage of .912 but that does not compare to Wichita's team save percentage of .930. The Thunder have had five goalies play 5+ games this season which shows the importance of team defense in save percentage.

 

- Here are the video highlights from the Allen Americans YouTube channel: 

   

- Here is the game recap issued by the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/news/general/americans-fall-to-wichita-4-1/

 

- Here is the game recap issued by the Wichita Thunder:  https://www.wichitathunder.com/en/news/thunder-begins-busy-week-with-win-in-allen

 

- When I talked to coach Martinson this morning he was obviously not pleased with the team's performance last night. Today would normally be a day off but not the case. It won't be a hard practice but there are some things Martinson wants to work on before the weekend games. Martinson also said the flu bug has hit the team. That is the reason Corey Mackin was unable to play last night and also why Darian Skeoch could not finish the game. Martinson also shared there were some things he saw in the game last night that need to be fixed and they will be soon but he was keeping the specifics private. 

- When I asked coach Martinson about the impact of having Mackin out of the lineup he said, "Anytime you lose you leading scorer it has an impact but that is no excuse for our performance last night."

 

- As disappointing as the loss was to the Americans they now must focus their attention on Utah who come to the AEC for games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Another weekend of playing three games in less than 48 hours with a 2:05 pm start on Sunday.

 

#9 BRETT NEUMANN PLAYER PROFILE

 

Brett Neumann

- Allen fans had the chance to see rookie Brett Neumann in person for the first time last night.  Neumann was assigned to Allen a week ago by his AHL team (Bridgeport Sound Tigers) and earned his first professional point last night when he assisted on Les Lancaster's goal. 

 

- Brett is 21 years old and is 5'9'' and 176 pounds. The right shot forward is from Toronto and played his junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He had back to back 45 goal seasons his last two years in juniors (2018-19 & 2019-20). In addition to his goal scoring prowess Neumann finished his OHL career playing in an all time record of 311 consecutive regular season. Here is a story with the title, "Generals' Neumann graduates as OHL's all-time ironman" that talks about his record and career: https://ontariohockeyleague.com/article/generals-neumann-graduates-as-ohls-all-time-ironman

 

- If you read scouting reports about Brett Neumann they all mention his skating, skill and work ethic. He placed second in the hardest working player category in the OHL coaches' poll in 2018 and won the best skater category in 2019. Here is a quote from the Hockey News, "Neumann's heavy shot is overshadowed by his elite speed which separates him from the competition and he can kill penalties and unload big shots on the power play. 

 

- Here is Brett Neumann's highlight reel from last season with the Oshawa Generals which you can find on YouTube. I think it is all 45 of his goals. It is long (over six minutes) but you see his speed and skill over and over again. Even strength goals, power play goals and shorthanded goals, he can do it all. At the end of the highlights Brett talks about his OHL career.

  

 

#15 DARIAN SKEOCH PLAYER PROFILE

Darian Skeoch

- Darian was acquired last week in a trade with Indy that sent Conner Bleackley, the rights to Kayle Doetzel and future considerations to the Fuel.  Darian Skeoch  (pronounced Skee-Oh) is 6'4" and 225 pound. The 24 year old, right shot defenseman will bring some of the toughness Allen has lost recently from the defensive group (Lochead, Ottenbreit, Doetzel). Steve Martinson's quote about Skeoch says it all, "Skeoch is one of the toughest players to come out of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in the last 10 years.

 

- Darian is from New Liskeard, Ontario but played his junior hockey in the rough and tumble Western Hockey League (WHL) and then played two years of college hockey at Carleton University before turning pro this season with the Indy Fuel. In 13 games with Indy Darian had no points and 18 penalty minutes. 

 

- I saw this quote from his junior team coach after he left, "There was a focus on other players when Darian was here. It fell through the cracks on how important he was to the team in the public eye but not in the players' eyes. I think anybody you talk to on the team now will tell you that. Darian would do anything for the guys and that resonated with a lot of our players." Here is the complete story with the title, "Skeoch remains a leader with Giants even two years after final game: https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/junior-hockey/steve-ewen-skeoch-remains-a-leader-with-giants-even-two-years-after-final-game  

- Here is an example of Skeoch's toughness from his junior days. you can find this and many others on YouTube:

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: More reasons offensive defensemen want to play in Steve Martinson's system. A lot of familiar names on this list. Goal scoring leaders among ECHL defensemen the last six seasons:

 

2020-21 (partial season)

15 - Les Lancaster, Allen

 

2019-20 (shortened season)

15 - Stepan Falkovsky, Allen

 

2018-19

17 - Eric Knodel, Cincinnati

17 - Kevin Spinozzi, Wheeling

 

2017-18

17 - Matt Register, Colorado

17 - Taylor Richart, Utah

 

2016-17

21 - Stepan Falkovsky, Adirondack

 

2015-16

17 - David Makowski, Allen

17 - Adrian Veideman, Colorado

17 - Jacob MacDonald, Elmira

Allen vs Wichita Preview, Steve Martinson's Comments, ECHL One Goal Game Stats and More

 

There is one game in the ECHL tonight and it should be a good one as Wichita is in Allen for a rare stand alone game. Close in points percentage (Allen .649, Wichita .650), close in the Western Conference standings (Allen #3, Wichita #2) and close in head to head games with identical records of 3-2-1-0. Can't get much closer than that. 

 

- Tonight will be a good test for both teams who are ranked #1 and #2 for best record over the last 10 games. Allen is #1 with a record of 7-2-0-1 and Wichita is #2 at 7-3-0-0. 

 

- The game tonight will be the seventh of of 11 times Allen and Wichita play this regular season. They last played each other way back on February 6. In the six head to head games (each team won three) Wichita led in goals (23-20) but Allen led in shots 222-212. In a game on January 1 in Allen the Americans out shot Wichita 34-12 on the way to a 5-1 victory. 

 

- Head to head Allen's power play is 5-29 (17.2%) and Wichita's is 4-24 (16.7%). Overall Allen's power play at home this season is 15-92 (16.3%) and Wichita's road power play is 9-74 (12.2%). With all of the power play stats the one that says the most is how the Allen power play has performed recently. Over the last 11 games the power play has scored at least one goal in 10 of the 11 and the power play percentage is 28.6% (14-49).

 

Here are Steve Martinson's comments about tonight's game:

"Jake Paterson will get the start in goal."

"Zane Franklin will be back in the lineup."

"There might be a couple of other lineup changes but they will be game time decisions."

"The key tonight is to not hurt ourselves and give up easy scoring chances by playing soft and being out of position."

 

- Allen and Wichita have a combined record when scoring first of 44-10-2-0. In the three losses to Wichita this season the Americans gave up the first goal in all three. A good start will be key for both teams tonight.

 

- A lead after the first period makes both of these teams almost unbeatable. Allen is 15-0-2-1 when leading after the first period. Wichita is 11-0-1-0 when leading after the first period.  

 

- Another way to look at this game is Allen's #3 ranked scoring team against Wichita's #1 ranked defensive team. The Americans average 3.34 goals per game while Wichita allows 2.56 goals per game. 

 

- The odd stat of the day is Wichita is ranked #1 in average goals allowed (2.56) but is last (#14) in average shots allowed (36.12). You get this result because of outstanding goalie play, Wichita has far an away the best team save percentage in the league at .930. 

 

- Three of Allen's top six scorers against Wichita this season (Jesse Mychan, Joe Garreffa, Tyler Sheehy) are no longer with the team. Wichita's leading scorer against Allen has been #91 Anthony Beauregard who has nine points in six games. He also leads the ECHL in scoring with 57 points (19G, 38A).  

- Two of the six head to head games between Allen and Wichita went to overtime. Allen won in overtime in Wichita and Wichita won in overtime in Allen. Overall Allen has been in eight extra time games and is 2-2 in overtimes and 3-1 in shootouts for a points percentage of .625. Overall Wichita has been in 12 extra time games and is 5-4 in overtimes and 2-1 in shootouts for points percentage of .583.

 

- Allen fans will see get to see #9 forward Brett Neumann and #16 defenseman Darian Skeoch for the first time on home ice tonight. Two players to watch that are very different in the skills they bring to the team. I will have a player profile on them tomorrow.    

 

DID YOU KNOW: ECHL teams ranked by the number of one goal games they have been involved in this season with points percentage in one goal games:

 

30 - Wichita, .650

28 - Indy, .679

28 - Utah, .625

28 - Kansas City, .536

26 - Greenville, .615

25 - Tulsa, .620

23 - South Carolina, .717

23 - Jacksonville, .565

22 - Rapid City, .682

20 - Orlando, .675

20 - Wheeling, .500

18 - Allen, .750

13 - Florida, .769

12 - Fort Wayne, .667

 

It's a Big Week for the Allen Americans On and Off the Ice

 

It seems like every week is a big week in this crazy season but this week is clearly a big one for the Allen Americans on and off the ice. The Americans play four games against the team just ahead of them in the standings and just behind them in the standings.  The week gets underway against Wichita tomorrow night followed by a three game series against Utah on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Americans could end the week with a points percentage as high as .676 and in first place in the Western Conference and as low as .598 and fighting for a playoff spot. By the end of the week Allen will have only 21 games remaining in the regular season.

- A great opportunity lays ahead for the Americans with 11 of their next 12 games at home. The 12 games are against three teams, Tulsa (5), Wichita (4) and Utah (3). The lone away game is in Tulsa. Why is this a great opportunity? Allen's home points percentage is the best in the ECHL at .786 (15-3-2-1). The Americans road points percentage is .538 (14-12-0-0) ranked #8 in the ECHL.

 

- As important as the four games on the ice this week, what takes place off the ice may be more important. Thursday is the ECHL trade deadline and it is hard to believe general manager Steve Martinson isn't trying to find ways to improve the roster. There are 15 rookies on the Allen roster if you include the two players that Martinson has signed that won't report until next week. The team could use more veteran presence/leadership and there is a vet slot available. I am sure it is difficult to trade for a vet with every ECHL team still believing they can make the playoffs. The bottom line is the last time to improve the roster through trades is Thursday (2:00 pm Allen time).

- Other roster movements you may see this week is AHL players being assigned to ECHL teams. Wednesday is the deadline for AHL teams to switch players from one ECHL teams to another. It does not prevent players from being assigned to ECHL teams after Wednesday, this rule just relates to switching  AHL players from one ECHL team to another.

 

- Another decision this week is whether co-captain Dyson Stevenson, who last played on March 14, be cleared to play? Stevenson's leadership on and off the ice has been missed, especially on the road since he has not traveled with the team.

 

- There is no doubt all playoff bound teams will get stronger as the playoffs approach. It is important to remember AHL/NHL contracted players (with few exceptions) assigned to the ECHL must play five games in the ECHL to be eligible for the playoffs. These five games must be played before the end of the AHL season which is May 16. For AHL players assigned to ECHL teams that have no games played in the ECHL this season the assignment date will have to be around May 7 in order for them to play in five ECHL games. The assignment date will be even earlier if teams want to build in a couple of game cushion in addition to the five games. The point is these decisions are right around the corner.

 

- The number of games remaining in the regular season varies from 21 (Florida & Tulsa) to 26 (Jacksonville & Wheeling). Allen has 21 games remaining. The final standings will be based on winning percentage rather than points this season. 

 

- The elephant in the room keeps growing as each week passes and there is no news on Steve Martinson's future with the Allen Americans. As of today Martinson has 73 days left on his contract and remember his quote when I interviewed him about his contract:

"I don't want to be wondering in July what I am doing. Right now I want to climb the standings and have other organizations take notice of the entertaining brand of hockey we are playing." 

 

DID YOU KNOW: Last season 10 of 26 (38%) ECHL teams finished with a winning percentage below .500, the top team was at .742 and the bottom team was at .300. This season one of 14 (7%) teams is below .500, the top team in the league is at .677 and the bottom team is at .413. An example of how close teams are this season is looking at the records over the last 10 games. While all teams are close, Allen has the best record in the ECHL over the last 10 games. Here is the ECHL Stats post from today:

 

Here are ECHL teams listed by best record over their last 10 games. Standings rank by points percentage is in parenthesis. These records show how much parity there is in the league this season. 13 of 14 teams have a points percentage at .500 or higher with no team above .677. Every team in the league with the possible exception of last place Wheeling (.413) has a chance for the playoffs and Wheeling has been one of the best teams over the last 10 games. Lots of hockey to play over the final third of the season when you consider a team with a .677 (Florida) is at the bottom of this list and a team towards the top (Wheeling) has a .413 points percentage:

 

7–2-0-1: Allen (4th)

7-3-0-0: Wichita (3rd)

6-3-0-1: Wheeling (14th)

6-3-1-0: Orlando (6th)

6-3-1-0: Fort Wayne (1st)

6-4-0-0: Jacksonville (10th)

5-3-1-1: Greenville (7th)

5-4-1-0: Rapid City (11th)

5-5-0-0: Kansas City (13th)

4-3-2-1: Tulsa (12th)

4-3-2-1: South Carolina (8th)

4-4-1-1: Utah (9th)

4-6-0-0: Florida (2nd)

3-6-1-0: Indy (5th)

  

Allen Win Series Finale in Rapid City, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Steve Martinson's Comments, Average Attendance Decline for All ECHL Teams and More

 

One of Rapid City coach Daniel Tetrault's post game quotes, "You've got to burn that film and move on" best describes how Allen dominated the Rush last night. The Americans beat Rapid City 4-1 before a crowd of 3675 at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Allen didn't pull away until the third period but the dominance started from the opening puck drop. The Americans had 20 shots on goal in the first period but managed only one goal. The game was tied 1-1 after the first period. After a scoreless second period the Americans exploded for three goals in the third period outshooting the Rush 15-3.

 

- The final tally showed Allen with two even strength goals, a power play goal and a shorthanded goal for a 4-1 victory while outshooting Rapid City 46-22.

 

- Allen struggled in the first two games of the series scoring even strength goals. They had twice as many last night (2) as combined in the first two games (1). 

 

- Allen's special teams played a key role in the win. Allen's power play goal (scored by Chad Butcher) was the sixth straight game the Americans have scored a power play goal. In the three game series against Rapid City the Allen power play was 50% (4-8). The penalty kill was perfect again (0-3) and has not allowed a power play goal to Rapid City in the last 10 games. Allen's penalty kill percentage against Rapid City this season (11 games) is now 97.4% (1-39). 

 

- The odd stat of the day is Allen's penalty kill unit has outscored Rapid City's power play unit in the 11 head to head games 5-1. That's right, Rapid City has one power play goal in the 11 games but Allen has five shorthanded goals. The Americans have seven shorthanded goal this season with five of them coming against the Rush. Rapid City has allowed the most shorthanded goals (11) in ECHL. 

- The goal scorers for Allen were Corey Mackin (20), Scott Conway (5), Les Lancaster (14) and Chad Butcher (3). Steve Owre and Mackin both had two assists. Here are the video highlights from the Allen Americans YouTube channel: 

- Here is the game recap from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/americans-score-three-in-the-third-to-beat-rapid-city/

 

- You don't get to see game recaps written by the local newspaper very often. Here is the story from the Rapid City Journal with a complete story of the game including quotes from coach Tetrault, great photos and a slide show. This is worth the read: https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/rush-s-winning-streak-snapped-as-allen-special-teams-aid-in-4-1-win/article_4e52c79a-5951-50e5-bed8-7d053ff58621.html

 

- I had a chance to catch up with Steve Martinson this morning just before the team headed back to Dallas on an early flight (6:00 am departure). Here are some of his comments:

"We played the way we are capable of playing last night both offensively and defensively. Jake Paterson was good in goal."

"We didn't shoot the puck as well as we could with too many pucks right at the goalie. We dominated the first period with 20 shots but came away with only one goal."

"We will have a light practice on Monday before we play Wichita on Tuesday."

"Zane Franklin will be ready to go by Tuesday."

"Dyson Stevenson should be back in the lineup sometime this week."

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- Allen's power play is up to 19.7% and is ranked #2 in the ECHL. The road power play is now the best in the ECHL at 22.9%.  Over the last 11 games the power play has scored at least one goal in 10 of the 11 and the power play percentage is 28.6% (14-49).

- Jake Paterson still hasn't qualified for the ECHL official stats because a goalie now needs 900 minutes to qualify and Jake has played 788 minutes. If Jake was qualified (he will be soon) his .928 save percentage would rank him #2 in the ECHL. FYI, #1 is former Allen goalie Jake Hildebrand (.929) and #3 is former Allen goalie Evan Weninger (.926).

- The top four teams in the Western Conference standings (Fort Wayne, Wichita, Allen, Utah) all won last night and the bottom three (Rapid City, Tulsa, Kansas City) all lost. 

- After the win last night Allen's record in the last 10 games (7-2-0-1) is the best record in the ECHL. The only other ECHL team with seven wins in their last 10 games is Wichita (7-3-0-0). It should be a great game when Wichita comes to town on Tuesday.

 

- With his goal (shorthanded) and assist last night Les Lancaster, who is playing hurt, extended his scoring lead among all ECHL defensemen. Les has 37 points, two more than second place Samuel Jardine (Greenville) and four more than third place Matt Register. Lancaster now has 14 goals, three more than Willie Raskob (Indy). No other ECHL defensemen have more than seven goals. 

 

-  You may have noticed Conner Bleackley, who was traded to Indy on Tuesday, was suspended by the team to retain his rights. What I understand is Conner decided to go home rather then continue to play pro hockey. Bleackley's stint in Allen was disappointing for the former 1st round (23rd overall) NHL draft pick. He was on a 22 game goal scoring drought when he was traded. Even though he wasn't scoring Bleackley played hard every shift, finished his checks, never was afraid of contact and created plenty of opportunities. Since turning pro in 2016-17 Conner has played for five AHL teams (some were loans) and Indy would have been his sixth ECHL team. If this is the end of his playing career I am sure it has to be disappointing at some level given the potential others saw in him. I was hoping to do a story about Conner after the pandemic but it will now be another story that won't get told. It is also a reminder of what a tough occupation pro hockey at the ECHL level can be. I am sure all Allen fans wish Conner the best no matter whatever endeavor he pursues inside or outside of hockey.

 

DID YOU KNOW: Allen's average attendance this season is down 2178 per game from last season which is better than most teams. Losing an average of 2178 fans per game is a big hit but seven ECHL teams have lost even more revenue from ticket sales. Here is the post from ECHL Stats today:

Average attendance compared to last season is way down for all ECHL teams in this pandemic season. Some teams have been hit much harder than others because of COVID 19 restrictions in their state. Lost attendance ranges from 842 to 5028 per game:

 

5028 - Fort Wayne

3340 - Orlando

3193 - Wichita

3096 - Utah

2821 - Kansas City

2736 - Jacksonville

2305 - Tulsa

2178 - Allen

2145 - Florida

2136 - Indy

1924 - South Carolina

1352 - Greenville

1284 - Wheeling

842 - Rapid City 

 

- ECHL average attendance is down from 4327 last season (26 teams) to 2186 (14 teams this season. An average loss of 2141 per game.

 

   

Allen Struggles Even Strength and Excels on Special Teams in Loss, Game Recap, Steve Martinson's Comments, Game Three Preview, Stats and More

Last night, the second game of the three game series in Rapid City ended with an identical score as game one, a 4-2 loss for the Americans. The score was the same but the games were different. As a matter of fact, last night the Americans met the keys of the game but still lost. Allen scored the first goal of the game though it didn't come until the 7:57 mark of the second period. The other key to the game was to win the special teams battle. Mission accomplished as Allen was 2-4 on the power play and perfect on the penalty kill (0-3). The Americans have not allowed a power play goal to Rapid City for nine straight games.

- Allen rarely loses a game when they score first, score two power play goals and are perfect on the penalty kill but that was the case last night. The Americans were shutout when even strength. In the two losses to the Rush in this series Allen has scored just four goals but only one was at even strength. That is not good enough to be successful. The Americans were out shot last night in every period and 36-26 for the game.

 

- Goal scorers for Allen were Colby McAuley (7) and Spencer Asuchak (12). Asuchak has a goal in three straight games and has scored five goals in the last five games. 

 

- Here is the game recap from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/news/general/empty-net-goal-spoils-americans-third-period-rally/  

- Here is the game recap from the Rapid City Rush: https://www.rapidcityrush.com/en/news/2021/4/garlent-s-hat-trick-downs-allen-win-streak-at-four-games

 

- Here are Steve Martinson's comments when I talked to him this morning:

"Too many times we had offensive zone possession but generated no shots."

"We had too many offensive zone turnovers on low percentage/soft plays."

"We need to get more shots. When you are not scoring you need to get more shots on net and look for rebounds. That is how we scored the two power play goals."

"Greasy goals are what we need to look for tonight."

"We are not defending hard enough to overcome our lack of scoring."

"We need players that have scored goals in the past that have not been scoring to step up tonight."

"Jake Paterson will start in goal tonight."

"I will probably make a change at forward for the game tonight because a player is dinged up and needs a rest."

 

GAME THREE PREVIEW

- The formula to salvage a win out of this series with Rapid City is even strength scoring. One even strength goal in six periods of hockey won't win many games even if special teams are going well. Allen is 3-6 (50%) on the power play in the two losses and (0-7) 100% on the penalty kill so you can't expect more from special teams. The game tonight will require Allen to improve when the teams are playing 5-on-5 which is the majority of the game. Rapid City has outscored Allen 7-1 in the first two games when the teams have been playing 5-on-5. Allen leads 3-0 on special teams in the two losses.

 

- Allen's recent power play success has improved its overall ECHL power play rank to #2 (19.8%). The road power play is also ranked #2 at 22.3%. 

 

- The Americans need to generate more than 26 shots if they expect to win tonight. Allen has a decent record when being out shot by its opponent (13-8-2-1) but it is rare to get only 26 shots, be out shot by 10 and win a game. 

- The referee scheduled tonight is the same as the first two games of the series, #29 Logan Gruhl. He called only six minor penalties in game one and seven last night. Wouldn't expect a lot of power play opportunities for either team tonight.

 

- Rapid City has been one of the best teams in the ECHL over the last five weeks. The Rush have beaten Allen four of five times they have played during that time. Rapid City's overall record since March 6 is 12-3-1-1. Allen's record over that same period is 11-6-1-1.

OTHER COMMENTS

- The Western Conference standings had another shakeup last night with teams at the top (Allen & Wichita) losing and teams at the bottom (Tulsa and Kansas City) winning. Rapid City's win over Allen moved the Rush into a tie for fourth place and the final playoff spot. Here are the current standings with each team's record over the last 10 games in parenthesis. You can see why the standings remain close with no team winning more than six games. 

.679 - Fort Wayne (6-3-1-0)

.656 - Wichita (6-4-0-0)

.641 - Allen (6-3-0-1)

.531 - Utah (4-4-1-1)

.531 - Rapid City (6-3-1-0)

.510 - Tulsa (3-4-2-1)

.510 - Kansas City (5-5-0-0)

 

- Look for more movement in the standings after the games tonight as crunch time is fast approaching. Most teams have fewer than 25 games remaining in the season. In the games tonight Allen is at at Rapid City, Tulsa is at Wichita, Kansas City is at Utah and Fort Wayne is at Indy. Here is the ECHL Today with previews: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2021/4/echl-today-april-17  

- With his next goal Corey Mackin will join the Allen Americans 20 goal club. Less than 30 players have scored 20 goals in a season in the history of the franchise. If he stays healthy Corey has a shot at 30 goals this season which is an exclusive club. Seven players have scored 30 goals in a season. The most exclusive club is the 40 goals club. The only members are Chad Costello and Gary Steffes who accomplished the feat the same season (2014-15). It was Allen's first year in the ECHL and the year the Americans won their first Kelly Cup.

 

- Allen's road record has fallen to 13-12-0-0 which is a points percentage of .520. Rapid City and Utah are the only teams in the conference with a worse road points percentage than Allen. FYI, last season Allen's road points percentage was .677. The Americans home points percentage last season was .742, this season it is .786. 

 

DID YOU KNOW: If you are an offensive defenseman nothing shows why you should want to play in Steve Martinson's system more than the stats below from the ECHL Stats post this morning. Les Lancaster would also be on this list with his .775 points per game average but he doesn't qualify because he has only played in 80 ECHL games. 

 

Since 2016-17 just seven ECHL defensemen have played a minimum of 100 games and averaged more than .700 points per game. Here are the ECHL defensemen with the best points per game average over the last five seasons (minimum 100 games) with their last ECHL team:

.837 - Matt Register, Allen

.825 - Alex Breton, Allen

.810 - David Makowski, Allen

.791 - Kevin Schultz, Wheeling

.756 - Simon Dennis, Toledo

.751 - Eric Knodel, Reading

.744 - Nolan Zajac, Reading

 

 

Allen vs Rapid City Game Preview, ECHL Teams Who Play Each Other the Most and More

 

Allen's three game series in Rapid City resumes tonight (8:05 pm CDT) after the Americans lost game one 4-2 on Wednesday. It is an important game for the Americans given they have lost three of the last four games they have played against the Rush. 

- Allen has been playing great hockey and had a seven game point streak snapped on Wednesday. Coach Martinson talked about one factor in the loss on Wednesday was overall team defense which has been excellent recently. In the seven game point streak Allen never allowed more than three goals and the goals allowed average was just 2.29 per game. On Wednesday Allen allowed four goals and gave up too many odd man rushes. In addition, two of Rapid City's goals were scored when players on the weak side were left uncovered. 

 

- Allen will have some lineup changes tonight. Jake Paterson will be in goal. Martinson has been alternating goalies since Paterson returned from injury but at some point, based on performance, a goalie will get back to back starts. 

 

- Darian Skeoch  (I think it is pronounced Skee-Oh) will make his Allen debut tonight after being acquired in a trade from Indy. The 6'4" and 225 pound, 24 year old, right shot defenseman will bring some of the toughness Allen has lost recently. Steve Martinson's quote about Skeoch says it all, "Skeoch is one of the toughest players to come out of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in the last 10 years. Darian will wear jersey #16.

- A big key for Allen tonight will be to get off to a better start. The Americans fell behind 2-0 in the fourth minute of the game on Wednesday and could never recover. Scoring first and leading after the first period makes Allen almost unbeatable so a good start will be key.

 

- The other key tonight will be special teams. The referee scheduled is the same as Wednesday night (#29 Logan Gruhl) and he called only six minor penalties in that game. It is never wise to predict penalties especially in a game between Rapid City and Allen but based on Wednesday there may not be a lot power play opportunities.

 

- Allen's power play has been outstanding recently. The Americans were 1-2 on Wednesday, have at least one power play goal in four straight games and had a power play goal in eight of their last nine games. In those nine games dating back to March 27, Allen's power play percentage is 25.6% (11-43).

 

- Allen's penalty kill has not allowed Rapid City a power play goal in the last eight games these teams have played. They have played nine games this season and Allen's penalty kill percentage is now 97.0% (1-33).

 

- The leading scorers in the head to head games between these teams is Josh Lammon for Allen who has eights points (4G, 4A) and Tyler Coulter for Rapid City who has nine points (5G, 4A). Other Allen players to watch tonight are Corey Mackin who has three goals and three assists in the last four games, Spencer Asuchak who has four goals in the last four games and Matt Register who has seven assists in the last four games.

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- There are six games scheduled in the ECHL tonight with all seven Western Conference teams in action. Here is the ECHL Today with previews on all six games: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2021/4/echl-today-april-16

-  I had a question about what the AHL loan deadline that is coming up next week (April 21) means for ECHL teams? I haven't been able to verify this but my understanding is the loan deadline date is the last time AHL teams can move a contracted player from one ECHL team to another. AHL teams could still send players from their roster to the ECHL after April 21 and the players could qualify for the ECHL playoffs as long as they play five games before the end of the AHL season (May 16). 

 

- Darian Skeoch's recent fight card defies his toughness. He fought twice in the 13 games he played in Indy. His two years in college (Carleton University) he couldn't fight. If you go back to his last season in the WHL (2017-18) he had 10 fights.  

 

DID YOU KNOW: Allen plays Utah 18 times which ranks in the top five for most games two ECHL teams play each other this season. Here is the ECHL Stats post from today. If you are on Facebook you can get this directly if you "Like" the ECHL Stats & Information page and if you are on Twitter follow ECHL Stats (@EchlStats):

 

If absence makes the heart grow fonder these teams are not very fond of each other. ECHL teams that play the most games against each other this season:

 

27 - Florida & Orlando

19 - Fort Wayne & Wheeling

19 - Fort Wayne & Indy

19 - Indy & Wheeling

18 - Allen & Utah

18 - Jacksonville & Greenville 

 

- Florida and Orlando play each other 38% of their 72 game schedule.

 

- Fort Wayne plays 76% of their 50 game schedule against just two teams. That is 38% of the Komet’s games against Wheeling and 38% against Indy.

 

 

 

Allen's Seven Game Point Streak Snapped by Rush, Game Recap, ECHL Rookie Goalie Stats and More

 

Two goals in the fourth minute of the game just 46 seconds apart doomed the Allen Americans last night as they lost 4-2 to the Rapid City Rush before a crowd of 1718 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. To make matters worse the first two goals were scored by former Allen Americans, Garrett Klotz and Mike Hedden. 

 

- After falling behind 2-0 Allen closed the gap to 2-1 with 49 seconds remaining in the first period on Zane Franklin's sixth goal of the season but that is as close as Allen would get. Rapid City had a 4-1 lead when Spencer Asuchak scored his 11th goal of the season and fourth goal in the last four games. Asuchak's goal came at the 15:36 mark of the third period on the power play to make the score 4-2. The Americans pulled goalie Frank Marotte and had some opportunities but could not close the the gap from 4-2.

 

- Here is the press release issued by the Rapid City Rush with a detailed recap of the game: https://www.rapidcityrush.com/en/news/2021/4/total-team-effort-gives-rush-series-opener-against-allen 

 

- The odds were against the Americans from the time they gave up the two goals early in the game. Here are the facts:

7-9-1-1: Allen's record when they give up the first goal of the game.

1-9-0-0: Allen's record when trailing after the first period.

3-10-0-0: Allen's record when trailing after the second period.

0-8-0-0: Allen's record on the road when trailing after the second period.

 

- If there was a silver lining from the loss last night it was special teams. Allen managed a power play goal going 1-2. The Americans have at least one power play goal in four straight games and in eight of their last nine games. In those nine games dating back to March 27, Allen's power play percentage is a lofty 25.6% (11-43).

 

- Allen's penalty kill has not allowed Rapid City a power play goal in the last eight games these teams have played. They have played nine games this season and Allen's penalty kill percentage is now 97.0% (1-33).

 

- Les Lancaster was able to play last night after being banged up in the series against Kansas City. it was good that Lancaster was able to play because the Americans played with just five defensemen.

 

- Matt Register had two more assists in the loss last night and now has a four game assist streak. He  has nine assists in his last six games. Matt ranks #3 in points by defenseman in the ECHL with 33 (2G, 31A). Les Lancaster is still #1 with 35 points (13G, 22A).  

- Coach Martinson thought team defense was an issue last night which included losing track of players on the weak side on a couple of the goals and the forwards not getting back quick enough on some of the goals. Martinson also said the team was missing some of the toughness in front of the net. Some of the defensemen with the most hits are gone including Ottenbreit, Kneen, Doetzel and Lochead. The team will get some of that toughness back with the addition of Darian Scoech who arrived in Rapid City last night and will play on Friday. Another tough defenseman will join the team at the end of next week. 

 

- Allen's record against Rapid City is now 5-4-0-0 but the Rush have won three of the last four games including two in Allen. 

 

- Today is an off day before the three game series resumes on Friday and Saturday. It was only one game but with the loss last night Allen moved from first place to third place in the Western Conference standings. Wichita is first (.670), Fort Wayne is second (.667) and Allen is third (.656).

 

- The top three spots in the Western Conference seem to shuffle after each game. Here is what is in store for the weekend:

Allen - plays in Rapid City on Friday and Saturday

Wichita - plays Tulsa in Tulsa on Friday and in Wichita on Saturday and Sunday

Fort Wayne - plays Wheeling at home on Friday, at Indy on Saturday and at Wheeling in Sunday. FYI, starting on Sunday, Fort Wayne plays Wheeling six straight times.

 

- Rapid City's win last night along with Utah's overtime loss to Kansas City pulled the Rush closer to the fourth and final playoff spot. Utah is in fourth place in the conference (.543) but Rapid City is right behind (.521). Tulsa and Kansas City bring up the rear with matching .500 points percentages.

 

- Garrett Klotz scored the first goal of the game against his old team. It was just the second goal and sixth point of the season for Klotz in 35 games played. Garrett was playing his first game after missing the last four because of the birth of his daughter last week. 

 

- Here is the odd stat of the day. Because of so many extra time games this season when three points are awarded instead of two for a game won in regulation time, every team in the ECHL has a points percentage of .500 or above with the exception of Wheeling who has a points percentage of .409. South Carolina has lost 25 of 44 games but has a points percentage of .545.

 

DID YOU KNOW: Two rookie goalies that have played in Allen (one current, one last season) are among the top rookie goalies in the ECHL:

 

ECHL rookie goalies with the most wins this season:

 

15 - Evan Weninger, Wichita

9 - Devin Cooley, Florida

7 - Justin Kapelmaster, Allen

7 - Stefanos Lekkas, Fort Wayne

7 - Matt Greenfield, Kansas City

6 - Hunter Shepard, South Carolina

 

 

ECHL rookie goalies with the best save percentage this season (minimum 600 minutes played):

 

.926 - Evan Weninger

.920 - Matt Greenfield

.915 - Hunter Shepard

.914 - Stefanos Lekkas

.913- Devin Cooley

.913 - David Tendeck

.912 - Justin Kapelmaster