Allen vs Idaho Series Preview, Best Third Period Goal Differential Equals Success and More

 

ALLEN VS IDAHO SERIES PREVIEW

 - Allen will make two trips to Idaho during the regular season. Three games this week (tonight, Friday, Saturday) and two games in March (10 & 11). Idaho will visit Allen just once for three games (March 22, 24, 25).

 

- Comparing records, Allen's overall record is 5-5-1-0 for a points percentage of .500 which is ranked #14 in the ECHL. Allen is 3-3-0-0 on the road. Idaho's overall record is 10-2-0-1 for a points percentage of .808, ranked #4 in the league. The Steelheads home record is 4-1-0-0.

 

- Allen has played well in Idaho in the past. In the last five seasons the Americans have a record of 5-1-4-1 in Idaho. 

 

- The key to this series can be seen in the stats and they all favor Idaho. The Americans average 2.9 goals per game but Idaho is a full goal per game better, averaging 3.9 goals per game. The big difference is in goals allowed. Allen gives up an average of 3.1 goals per game which is mid-pack in the league. However, the Steelheads are the best defensive team in the ECHL, allowing a paltry average of 1.85 goals per game. Better team defense will be a must to win tonight and in this series. Everything from goalie play to blocking shots to breaking out of the defensive zone to neutral zone turnovers to getting pucks in deep will have to improve to win this series. 

 

- Last week (three games) Allen was 2-1, scoring 11 goals but allowing 12. In three games last week Idaho was 3-0, scoring 13 goals and allowing three. Allen's two wins were both by scores of 5-4. A high scoring game against Idaho is unlikely. The Steelheads haven't allowed five goals in a game all season. Idaho has given up two or fewer goals in 10 of their 13 games.  

 

- As always, special teams will be key in this series. Rather than look at overall stats it is more instructive to look at home vs road stats. On the power play Allen is 19.4% (6-31) on the road and Idaho is 15.8% (3-19) at home. On the penalty kill Allen is 80.0% (5-26) on the road and Idaho is 100% (0-19) at home. 

 

- Based on the past history of games Allen has played in Idaho where 50% of the games went beyond regulation, it is highly likely you will see overtime in this series. Allen has gone extra time in three games this season winning once and losing once in OT and winning its only shootout game. Idaho has gone extra time just once this season and lost in a shootout. 

 

- Scoring first is always important but even more so in this series. The combined record for Allen and Idaho when scoring first this season is 12-0-1-0. Allen is 5-0-1-0 and Idaho is 7-0-0-0. Another stat to keep in mind is record when leading after the first period as neither team has lost. They are a combined 7-0 when leading after the first period. Needless to say, a good start will be very important for Allen in this series.

 

- The line of Combs-Finlay-Crone is working very well together. The threesome had 20 points (8G, 12A)  in Allen's three road games last week. They accounted for 80% of Allen's points in the three games. The Americans will need their continued leadership in Idaho to be successful, but will also need more scoring from other lines. Look for the Leppard-Hargrove-Pochiro line to have a good series.

 

- This series in Idaho is so important to show this team is headed in the right direction and to keep things trending up after winning two of three road games last week. There are plenty of obstacles in the way when you consider Allen is missing three players with long term injuries, one to a long term suspension and two called up/loaned to Belleville. Even with the obstacles, getting four points from this series is essential.

 

- The referee scheduled for the game tonight is #16 Jake Jackson. He was the referee for Allen's first two games of the season. In the opening game a missed call resulted in an injury to Spencer Asuchak. The next night in Wichita, Jackson made a goalie interference call that Allen thought was a clear tripping on a breakaway. Would love to be a fly on the wall at the mandatory pregame meeting with the coaches and the referee tonight. 

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- It is a busy Wednesday around the ECHL with 11 games on the schedule. In addition to Allen at Idaho, other Mountain Division action has Tulsa at Wichita and Kansas City at Rapid City. Utah is idle. Here is the ECHL Today with previews of all 11 games:  https://www.echl.com/en/news/2022/11/echl-today-nov-23

- Here is a weekly recap issued by Idaho. Take a look at the "Steelheads Standouts" section if you are interested in knowing the players to look for in this series:  https://www.idahosteelheads.com/en/articles/idaho-steelheads-weekly-week-6-11-21-22

 

- Kelly Bent, who left the Americans at Thanksgiving last season to go home to pursue a career in law enforcement has just signed with the Wichita Thunder. Bent played 13 games for Allen last season, had two assists and 40 penalty minutes.

 

- Three time ECHL Defenseman of the Year, Matt Register has a habit of of signing with teams that make deep playoff runs and win championships. He won three straight Kelly Cups, one with Allen and two with Colorado. He signed with Idaho this season and it looks like the Steelheads will be a factor in the playoffs. It has been a different type of season for Register thus far, as he has just five points in 13 games and is third in scoring among Idaho defensemen. It doesn't mean he is not contributing in other ways. Matt leads the team in plus/minus at +15 and is ranked #3 in the league.   

 

- All of the glass seats I had available are gone with the exception of December 4th (Sunday 2:05). The seats are in the end of the rink Allen is on offense twice. There is plenty of leg room and only two seats in the row so nobody will be going in or out. The seats are in Section 101, Row A, Seats 1 & 2. These tickets would normally sell for $60+ each, but I will sell for $25 each. Glass seat are a unique experience, especially for kids. If interested email me at janssenfamily@msn.com. First come first serve.

DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL Stats post today is about goal scoring by period. FYI, Allen's best period has been the second. The Americans goals for and against by period are 6-7 in the first period, 16-14 in the second period and 8-12 in the third period.

 

Four ECHL teams have points percentages above .800. Playing well in the 3rd period is a sign of a good team. Three ECHL teams have 3rd period goal differentials greater than +10. All have points percentages above .800 (goals for and against in parenthesis):

 

+17 Idaho (23-6)

+14 Newfoundland (20-6)

+12 Cincinnati (17-5)

 

The fourth team with an .800 points percentage is Worcester. The Railers 3rd period goal differential is only +4 (16-12) but Worcester is the best 1st period team in the league. The Railers have scored 25 goals in the 1st period and have a +12 goal differential (25-13).

 

Another Challenging Week for the Allen Americans, Travel Roster, Idaho Stats, Game Winning Goal Rant and More

 

It is back on the road for the Allen Americans today as they fly to Boise for three important games with the Mountain Division leading Idaho Steelheads (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday). The team will practice this morning and fly this afternoon. 

 

- Allen has traditionally been on the road for the American Thanksgiving. There has only been a couple of exceptions in the 14 year history of the franchise. There will be a team Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday and the guys won't have to spend their per diem money. Props to the Americans front office as they will pick up the tab.   

- The series against Idaho will be another big challenge for the Americans, but one they are prepared for. Last week it was the top team in the Central Division, this week the top team in the Mountain Division. Idaho's record is 10-2-0-1 which is a points percentage of .808. The Steelheads are the best defensive team in the ECHL allowing a paltry average of 1.85 goals per game. In 13 games Idaho has had three shutouts, two one goal games and five two goal games. Idaho's goal differential (goals for minus goals against) is +27, Allen's is -2. 

- The good news for Allen is the offense has picked up. The Americans have won three of the last four games and scored 14 goals in the three wins, scoring four or five goals in each game. 

- Allen will have 18 skaters on the trip to Idaho, 11 forwards and seven defensemen. As of this morning Luke Peressini will be the only goalie and Allen will use an EBUG. Jared Bethune gives the Americans flexibility since he can play defense and forward. Here is the roster for the Idaho trip. A reminder of who is not on the trip; Spencer Asuchak (IR), Justin Young (IR), Stephen Baylis (IR) and Mikael Robidoux (Suspended). 

 

Goalies 

• #31 - Luke Peressini
• #1 - EBUG
  

Defensemen 

• #3 - Ryan Gagnon 
• #4 - Kris Myllari
• #19 - Jared Bethune 
  
• #23 - Colton Saucerman
• #24 - Dalton Skelly
• #49 - Zachary Massicotte
  
• #55 - Lord-Anthony Grissom
   

Forwards

• #7 - Colton Hargrove
• #10 - Jackson Leppard
• #15 - Liam Finlay
  
• #18 - Zach Pochiro
• #20 - Kolten Olynek
  
• #21 - Jack Combs
• #29 - Nico Blachman
• #44 - Andrew Durham
• #52 - Joe Widmar
  
• #58 - Marcel Godbout
  
• #67 - Hank Crone

 

-  Listening to Belleville Senators coach Troy Mann's post game interview, it sounds like he expects one of his injured goalies to return to the lineup for their game on Wednesday. If that happens you could see Logan Flodell returning to Allen. 

 

- Allen has won five games but only four game winning goals are credited. The reason for that is a game winning goal is not credited for shootout wins which Allen had in Fort Wayne on Saturday. I have never understood why the winning goal scorer (Hank Crone in Fort Wayne) in shootouts isn't given credit for a goal scored or a game winning goal.  

 

- Allen has had four game winning goals this season, Jack Combs has three of them, Colton Saucerman the fourth. Combs is tied for the league lead in game winning goals.

 

- I will have a complete series preview tomorrow but here are some interesting head to head record stats for Allen against Idaho:

• 6-1-1-0 in 2021-22
• 18-7-6-2 last five years
• 10-3-2-1 last five years in Allen
• 8-4-4-1 last five years in Idaho     

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- The difference from top to bottom in the North Division could hardly be any wider. Newfoundland has a points percentage of .893 (12-1-1-0) which is on record pace. The all time record is .806 set by the Louisiana IceGators in 2001-02. Norfolk has a points percentage of .067 which is also on record pace. The all time lowest points percentage is .227 (14-49-1) set by the Roanoke Valley Rampage in 1992-93.

 

- Here is the points percentage range from top to bottom for the other three divisions:

• South: .708 (South Carolina & Florida) to .385 (Orlando)
• Central: .850 (Cincinnati) to .200 (Iowa)
• Mountain: .808 (Idaho) to .409 (Tulsa)

 

- No ECHL team remains undefeated at home, but one team is still undefeated on the road. Cincinnati has a 4-0-0-0 road record. Norfolk is perfect on the road but not in a good way. The Admirals road record is 0-11-0-0.

 

- Zach O'Brien (Newfoundland) leads the ECHL in points with 24. If he maintains that pace and plays in the remaining Growler games he will finish the season with 130 points. 

 

- Talk about turning things around quickly all you have to do is look at the Reading Royals. On November 4th, Reading had a record of 1-4-1-0 and points percentage of .250. a couple of weeks later they have reeled off an ECHL best six straight wins and  now have a record of 7-4-1-0 with a points percentage of .625.

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: The 2023 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic will consist of a tournament featuring the ECHL All-Stars and the Norfolk Admirals, with an integrated skills competition with points counting towards each team’s score.

 

The game will take place on Monday, January 16, 2023, at Norfolk Scope Arena.

 

You have to wonder how competitive the game will be since Norfolk is on pace for the worst record in ECHL history. The Admirals are 1-14-0-0 which is a points percentage of .067. The all time worst record is .227 (14-49-1) set by the Roanoke Valley Rampage in 1992-93.

Chad Costello Reflects on the Weekend and the Season, Special Team Stats, ECHL vs AHL Attendance and Glass Seats Available

 

Welcome to the ECHL schedule. The Allen Americans returned home last night after taking four of six points on the road trip to Cincinnati and Fort Wayne. They will be back on the road tomorrow as they fly to Boise to take on the Idaho Steelheads on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Idaho leads the Mountain Division with a record of 10-2-0-1 (.808).

 

CHAD COSTELLO COACH'S CORNER

I had a chance to check in with coach Costello after he landed back in Dallas last night to get his perspective on the past week. The Americans handed Cincinnati its first regulation loss of the season and beat Fort Wayne, who had won three straight games. Here is what Costello had to say:

"I was proud of the effort from the guys on the road trip this week."

"We are learning a lot about ourselves as we played against two good teams in their buildings and now we know we can hang with anyone in the league."

"We need to be more consistent in our game plan to have longer stretches of success, rather than game to game success."

"We have a few things to improve upon as a team, but effort, attitude, leadership and caring for one another will never be a problem with this group. It is just some systems related things we can improve on."

"We will be getting healthier soon and that will make us stronger."

"Hank and Finns are very talented and I have told them I will give them room to show their talent, but it needs to stay in the team concept. It is kind of like giving them the keys to the sports car but helping them keeping it on the road mentally. We believe in them and they are a big part of our team."

"Watching the two young guys (Crone & Finlay) with the old man (Combs) is sure a lot of fun. They have great chemistry together."

"Every player on our team has a role in our success and growth. We are still learning those roles but we are getting there."

"We will have a optional practice tomorrow (Monday) and will fly to Boise on Tuesday."

 -  Special teams have been a bit of mixed bag for Allen. The good news is after giving up a league leading 22 shorthanded goals last season the Americans are one of just five ECHL teams that have not allowed a shorthanded goal this season. On the flip side, Allen joins Jacksonville as the only two teams that have not allowed a shorthanded goal, but have also not scored a shorthanded goal. 

 

- Allen's overall power play percentage is ranked #18 at 16.3% (7-43). Over the last nine games the power play percentage was 12.5% (4-32). On the road trip last week the power play was 2-14 (14.3%) which included 1-9 in Fort Wayne. The team spends a lot of time working on the power play and that will bear fruit going forward. When Allen was winning championships and Costello was quarterbacking the power play, the Americans power play percentage always exceeded 21%. A realistic goal for the current team would be 18%-20%.

 

- On a positive note the Americans have cut down on the penalties that have resulted in power plays for the opponent. In the three game road trip last week Allen had 14 power plays compared to nine for the opponent. In the three games prior to last week, Allen had eight power plays compared to 20 for the opponent.

 

- Allen's overall penalty kill percentage is ranked #12 at 80.7% (11-57). In the three games last week the penalty killers allowed just one goal on nine power plays for a penalty kill percentage of 88.9%.  

- If you look at goal differential (goals for minus goals against) by period the best teams typically excel in the third period. Allen has scored eight goals in the third period and allowed 12 for a -4 goal differential. As a comparison, division leading Idaho has scored a league leading 23 goals in the third period and allowed just six for a +17 goal differential. Allen's best period has been the second period when it has outscored opponents 16-14. 

 

- Liam Finlay leads the Americans in shooting percentage followed closely by Jack Combs. Finlay has scored on 23.8% of his shots (5-21) and Combs has scored on 21.9% of his shots (7-32).  As a team the Americans shooting percentage is 8.9% which is ranked #18 in the ECHL. 

- How well is Jack Combs playing?  Combs leads the Americans in points (15) and goals (7). At his present pace and if he played in all remaining games (61), Jack could finish the season with 100 points and 45 goals with a plus/minus of +52. 

OTHER COMMENTS

- On a personal note, Nancy and I will be heading to Ushuaia, Argentina next month to get on a ship for a 16 day trip to Antarctica and South Georgia Island.  It will be the last of the seven continents we have visited and should be quite the adventure. Being a stats guy this one struck me. The layers of ice in Antarctica can exceed nearly three miles thick and contain 90% of the ice on Earth. If it were to all melt it would raise sea levels worldwide by over 200 feet. The multitude of seals, penguins, whales, birds and other wildlife will be spectacular. It is a place regarded as the last nature preserve on our planet. It should be an amazing trip as we go ashore in zodiacs to observe up close. 

- I will be missing the home games in December so if you are interested in sitting on the glass, my two seats are available for the following games. The seats are in the end of the rink Allen is on offense twice. There is plenty of leg room and only two seats in the row so nobody will be going in or out. The seats are in Section 101, Row A, Seats 1 & 2. These tickets would normally sell for $60+ each, but I will sell for $25 each. If interested email me at janssenfamily@msn.com. First come first serve. Games available are:

• December 2 vs Rapid City (Friday, 7:05)
• December 3 vs Rapid City (Saturday, 7:05)
• December 4  vs Rapid City (Sunday, 2:05)
• December 16 vs Wichita (Friday, 7:05)
• December 17 vs Wichita (Saturday, 7:05) 
• December 30 vs Wichita (Friday, 7:05)
• December 31 vs Wichita (Saturday 6:05)
  

DID YOU KNOW: Here is my ECHL Stats post for today which compares attendance between the ECHL and AHL. The ECHL is doing very well this season and that is also true for Allen. The Americans are averaging 3900 per game this season which is an improvement of 680 per game over last season. 

Average ECHL attendance is up 320 per game from last season. Four ECHL teams have average attendance above 7000, which is higher than most AHL teams. 27 of 32 AHL teams average below 7000. Here are the teams averaging more than 7000 per game in both leagues:

 

ECHL (28 teams)

7946 - Jacksonville

7670 - Fort Wayne

7235 - Toledo

7100 - Tulsa

 

AHL (32 teams)

8400 - Chicago

7955 - Cleveland

7736 - Hershey

7449 - San Diego

7250 - Grand Rapids

 

- ECHL attendance ranges from 7946 to 1683 with an overall average of 4256.

 

- AHL attendance ranges from 8400 to 2202 with an overall average of 5118.

Rookies Lead Allen to Shootout Win, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Stats and More

 

The Allen Americans finished the first half of their six game road trip with a 5-4 shootout win over the Fort Wayne Komets last night before a disappointed crowd of 7717 at Memorial Coliseum. Allen returns home today before heading to Idaho on Tuesday for the final three games of the road trip. 

 

- Splitting with division leading Cincinnati while playing shorthanded and beating Fort Wayne, who had won three straight, was a great result for the Americans to get them back to the .500 mark. Allen has now won three of its last four games.

- Allen scored the first goal of the game last night but it took until the 5:46 mark of the second period. Liam Finlay scored the first of his three goals. Scoring first has been an almost perfect predictor of Allen's success this season. Here are the stats:

• 5-0-1-0: When Allen scores first
• 0-5-0-0: When Allen doesn't score first

 

-  There were eight goals scored in this game (plus a shootout goal) and seven of them were scored in the second period. Allen took a 2-0 lead on Zachary Massicotte's first professional goal before Fort Wayne scored three unanswered goals to take a 3-2 lead. Allen responded with two more Liam Finlay goals at 18:09 and 18:58 to take a 4-3 lead into the second intermission

 

- Fort Wayne tied the score 4-4 midway through the third period on a power play goal and that was the end of the regulation scoring. Allen did a great job of getting the game to a shootout. The Americans were out shot 4-0 in the overtime period which included killing off a full two minute 4-on-3 power play.

- Hank Crone was the hero in the shootout. Both teams missed in the first round with the Komets going first. Fort Wayne missed in the second round before Crone went forehand, backhand, forehand and slid the puck in the net. Luke Peressini stopped the third Komets shooter to give Allen the win. Peressini had to play Friday night in Cincinnati and Saturday night in Fort Wayne since Allen was using an EBUG. In the two games, Luke faced close to 100 shots (95) including the three shootout attempts and compiled a save percentage of .916. 

 

- Liam Finlay led Allen with four points including a hat trick. It was the first Allen hat trick since late last season when Josh Winquist (who scored a goal for Fort Wayne last night) and Branden Troock both had hat tricks just 10 days apart. 

 

- The line of Combs-Finlay-Crone had three of Allen's four goals plus the shootout goal which doesn't get included in official stats. They also had six of the seven assists awarded in the game. It is a dynamic trio with the oldest player on the team and two rookies. The trio lead the team in points, goals and assists and are moving up the ECHL leader board. Here are a few of their stats:

• 15 points (7G, 8A) - Jack Combs (#6 in the ECHL
  
• 14 points (6G, 8A) - Hank Crone (#9 in the ECHL)
  
• 14 points (5G, 9A) - Liam Finlay (#9 in the ECHL)
• The trio has scored 56% of Allen's goals (18 of 32)
• The trio has 52% of Allen's assists (43 of 82)
• Crone and Finlay are tied for #4 in ECHL rookie scoring

- How much faith does coach Costello have in these two rookies? They accounted for three goals and four assists in regulation. Finlay was out with Combs to start the overtime and Crone was out with Hargrove in the second group. When the game went to a shootout, the first shooter for Allen was Finlay and the second was Crone. I would say that is a lot of faith!

- Here is the game recap from the Allen Americans:  https://allenamericans.com/media/americans-win-in-a-shootout-2/

 

- Here is the game recap from the Fort Wayne paper: https://www.journalgazette.net/sports/professional/komets/ice-chips/we-need-to-stay-out-of-the-box-komets-know-in-wake-of-shootout-loss/article_a9c40c06-688c-11ed-89d6-affe9d94730c.html

 

- Here are the video highlights posted by Fort Wayne: https://youtu.be/bKosENU5Z9o

 

 

 

OTHER COMMENTS

 - Allen played with a full group of skaters last night (6 defensemen, 11 forwards) for the first time in a long time. The Americans are still playing with an EBUG. Last night Nico Blachman returned from a two game suspension and center Joe Widmar played in his first game since being claimed off waivers from Norfolk. He played 13 games with Norfolk and scored nine points (5G, 4A). The well traveled Widmar has played for eight ECHL teams since joining the league in 2017-18.

- Four ECHL teams are averaging over 7000 in attendance in 2022-23:

• 7946 - Jacksonville
• 7670 - Fort Wayne
• 7663 - Tulsa
• 7235 - Toledo

- There are seven ECHL games scheduled today with all Mountain Division teams except Allen in action. Rapid City is at Tulsa, Kansas City visits Wichita and Idaho will be at Utah. Here is the ECHL Today with the previews: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2022/11/echl-today-nov-20

 

- If  Utah doesn't win today, Allen will move into a playoff spot (by points percentage). The current standings by points percentage to account for various numbers of games played:

• .792 - Idaho
• .750 - Wichita
• .650 - Kansas City
• .500 - Utah
• .500 - Allen
• .417 - Rapid City
• .400 - Tulsa 

 

DID YOU KNOW: A reminder, by 3:00 pm EST today, ECHL active rosters are reduced from a maximum of 21 players and a $14,610 salary cap, to 20 players and a $14,100 salary cap. 

 

In addition to the 20 player active roster, teams can have two players on reserve and an unlimited number of players on injured reserve. Players on IR must stay on IR a minimum of 14 days (no maximum). Players on reserve and IR don’t count against the salary cap.

 

 

  

The Story of American Family Solar - Steve and Michelle Martinson's Solar Business, Stop by and See Them at the Americans Game on Saturday at the American Family Solar Booth on the Concourse

 

 Over the years I have written stories about Allen players who have left hockey to start businesses in the DFW area. Riley Gill (Construction Company), Trevor Ludwig (Pool Services & Repair), Joel Chouinard (Financial Services) and Nolan Descoteaux (FAST Signs Franchises) to name a few. All of these players turned businessmen reached out to Allen fans as they began their business and Americans fans supported them.  

 

 I was recently talking to Steve Martinson, getting some contact information from him on a former volunteer coach I wanted to contact, and Martinson mentioned to me he and Michelle would be coming to Texas in conjunction with their new solar business, American Family Solar. They plan on splitting time between Texas and Illinois. I suggested he write a paragraph about his business, and I would share with Allen fans to see if anyone might be interested in meeting with him. Sounds like a great partnership between the Martinsons and an experienced member of the solar industry. Here is Martinson's mission statement in his own words:

 

Prior to becoming a coach, I was a financial consultant with Smith Barney. Most of my clients came from the San Diego Gulls fan base. It was pretty simple in that they trusted me. Anyone that knows me as a Coach, appreciates that I'm a straight shooter. When this Solar partnership presented itself, we knew it was a perfect fit.  I love building and over the years Michelle has coined me "Builder Bob" from all my summer projects. Michelle made the Americans team store into one of the best in the league and took great pride in her customer service. Now I get to talk to people about hockey and also educate them about the benefits of owning Solar versus renting electricity.  Even though it's been around for years the new government tax credits coupled with big electricity rate hikes have made solar a hot industry. It is a lot like investing in that you need to trust you are getting the right information to allow you to make informed decisions. 

 

We met our partner, Dean Greene, through long time season ticket holder, Mark Fisher. Dean is the founder of Greene Consulting Group and is a solar pioneer with over 45 years in the industry, starting in 1976. Dean has also led business development efforts including serving as VP of Business Development for Summit Energy Group, leading their expansion into seven states. Dean is an owner/manager of Solar Specialists Inc. in Florida where he overseas installation and servicing of over 10,000 solar systems ranging in size from small residential to large commercial systems..

 

Why consider solar?

• Increasing electricity prices, a lifetime of contracts with your utility, with no end in sight.
• Locking in your monthly payment while owning your electricity versus renting it.
• New tax incentives: 30% residential, 40% commercial.
• 30% tax credit for building solar carports and pergolas.

 

Give Steve a call for a no obligation proposal, to ask any questions you have about solar or to talk a little hockey. See if going solar works for you. The Martinsons'  promise is to make going solar easy every step of the way. I know they would love to talk to Allen fans. Even better, if you are attending the Allen Americans game on Saturday, stop by and say hello at the booth the Martinsons will have set up on the concourse (by the ticket office). If you sign up to talk about solar for your home or business, you will be entered into a drawing for a Steve Martinson signed jersey.  If your are not attending the game or can't get to the booth, text your contact information to 214-425-8968 for a followup call and you will also be entered into the drawing for the Martinson jersey.  

 

It is clear to me, Steve and Michelle have found the business opportunity they have been looking for the last few years and are doing exactly what they want to do. It is great to see the Allen Americans supporting them in their new business endeavor and it is also great to see Martinson supporting Chad Costello in any way he can. 

 

Allen Suffers OT Loss, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Chad Costello Comments, Keys to the Weekend and More

 

The Allen Americans lost a tough one last night losing 3-2 in overtime to Utah before a Wednesday night crowd of 2419 at the CUTX Event Center. The game winning goal was scored with just 13 seconds remaining in the overtime period.

 

- Allen got off to a good start, scoring the first goal of the game on a breakaway at the 5:16 mark of the first period. Andrew Durham scored his first professional goal assisted by Marcel Godbout. Less than two minutes later Utah responded to tie the score 1-1 which ended the scoring in the first period. Allen took the lead again, 2-1, at the 16:10 mark, scoring the only goal of the second period. Zach Pochiro scored his third goal of the season, tipping in a shot from Nick Albano. When you consider Allen's record over the last three seasons with a second period lead is 78-3-4-1, it looked good for the Americans with a 2-1 lead after the second period.

- The penalties finally caught up with Allen in the third period, after they had killed off five earlier in the game. Utah got the equalizer midway through the period and the 2-2 score held up to send the game into overtime. Both teams had chances to win the game in overtime before Utah finally scored with 13 second remaining. 

- Here are the game recaps with more details:

• Utah Grizzlies game recap: https://www.utahgrizzlies.com/en/grizzlies-news/the-captain-wins-it-in-overtime
• Allen Americans game recap: https://allenamericans.com/media/americans-lose-heartbreaker-in-ot-2/

 

 - Video Highlights:  https://www.echl.com/en/video/2022/11/utah-grizzlies-vs-allen-americans---nov-9-2022-oMpBuqi7

 

  CHAD COSTELLO POST GAME COMMENTS

• "Some things got in the way and I don't think the better team won tonight. Unfortunately that has happened a few times too many."
• "It was great to see Andrew Durham score his first pro goal tonight."
• "Marty was pretty grumpy, I am starting to figure out why. They are turning a nice guy into a mean guy."
  
• "We have to look inward rather thnn blame stuff we can't control. Our focus has to be on how can we improve."
• " We need to turn these great efforts into two points. Once we get over that hurdle and get rewarded for playing good hockey, I think it is going to come in bunches." 
• "We have out chanced every team we have played thus far. The negative is we have to get the puck to go in the net, the positive is we can hang with anybody."
  

 

-  The loss last night continues a familiar pattern for the Americans. In the last four games, Allen has had the edge in shots and scoring opportunities, but has had trouble putting the puck in the net. Despite the opportunities, Allen has lost three straight and the lone victory was 2-1 in overtime. While Allen allowed just nine goals over the last four games (2.25 goals per game), the Americans have managed only seven goals (1.75 average) over the last four games.

 

- Penalties made a difference last night as the Utah goal that tied the score 2-2 in the third period was scored on the power play. In the last four games Allen has given up 23 power play opportunities while having just 14 or their own. Of the seven goals Allen allowed over the last four games, four of them (57%) were power play goals.

 

- What does Allen have to do to get things turned around and break its three game losing streak? Offensively you get the feeling if the Americans stay the course the puck will start going in the net. If  they keep getting more grade A opportunities than the opponent, the goals will come. What Allen has to change is special teams. Allen takes more minor penalties than any team in the league at eight per game. The Americans have allowed 16 goals all season, seven of them have been power play goals and the penalty kill percentage (80%) is in the top half of the league. The Allen power play also has to chip in, especially with the Americans struggling to score even strength. In the last four games, just one power play goal and a power play percentage of  7.1%.    

- If you like watching fast paced hockey with lots of skill and great goaltending, the two games against Utah on Friday and Saturday are must see events.

OTHER COMMENTS

- With the overtime loss last night, Allen's record is now 2-3-1-0 for a points percentage of .417. In other Mountain Division action last night last place Rapid City beat first place Idaho 4-2. Here are the current standings in points percentage order:

• .750 - Idaho
• .643 - Wichita
• .625 - Utah
• .583 - Kansas City
• .500 - Tulsa
• .417 - Allen
• .375 - Rapid City
   

- Heard a question about the great goalie play and defenses in the Mountain Division compared to other divisions.  One stats that might shed light on that question is average goals allowed per game. Here are the averages for the teams in the Mountain Division and the rank among the 28 teams in the ECHL:

• 1.88 - Idaho (2nd)
• 2.67 - Allen (7th)
• 2.86 - Wichita (11th)
• 2.88 - Utah (12th)
• 3.38 - Rapid City (18th)
• 3.60 - Tulsa (20th)
• 3.67 - Kansas City (21st) 

- With the loss last night the Allen Americans have now lost nine straight games against Utah dating back to the 2020-21 season. Three of the nine losses were in overtime. Look for that streak to be broken this weekend.

- Jack Combs kept his point streak alive with an assist last night. He has a point in all six Allen games and is tied for second in longest point scoring streak in the ECHL this season. 

- I am heading for a 10 day late season pheasant hunting trip to North Dakota tomorrow. It is hard to beat hunting in the cold, snow and wind of northeast North Dakota. The forecast calls for lows below zero and highs in the teens. Add in a few inches of snow and you have a prefect recipe for success. Wish me luck. I won't be posting a blog while I am gone.

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: The last five Kelly Cup champions finished in the top five during the regular season in average goals scored. Here are the top five in average goals per game thus far in 2022-23. Is a 2023 Kelly Cup in their future?

 

5.29 - South Carolina

4.78 - Worcester

4.50 - Indy

4.33 - Savannah

4.25 - Newfoundland

 

 

 

Allen vs Utah Series Preview

 

The Allen Americans are presented with a great opportunity with three games in the next four days at home against the Utah Grizzlies. The series kicks off tonight followed by games on Friday and Saturday. Statistically these teams are very close. Here are a few examples:

• Allen's record is 2-3-0-0 (.400), Utah's record in 4-3-0-0 (.571). If Allen wins tonight the teams will have identical .500 points percentages.
  
• Allen has scored and allowed the same number of goals (13), which is an average of 2.6 per game. Utah has also scored and allowed the same number of goals (21), an average of 3.0 per game.
• Power Play Percentage: Allen 19.0% vs Utah 20.0%
  
• Penalty Kill Percentage: Allen 78.6% vs Utah 77.8%

- Unless somebody shows up hurt or sick this morning, the Americans will have a full squad for the game tonight. With Jared Bethune playing forward, Allen will have 10 forwards and seven defensemen. Luke Peressini will start in goal and Logan Flodell, will be the backup. 

- The Americans are ranked #2 in the ECHL in shots allowed per game (24.0). The good news is Allen gave up only six goals in its last three games. The bad news is in those same three games the Americans managed to score just five goals and lost two of the three games. If Allen is going to be successful in this three game series against Utah, the Americans will have to convert on more of their scoring opportunities.

- Scoring first and maintaining an early lead will be key for the Americans. This season, Allen is 2-0 in games they scored first and 0-3 in games they gave up the first goal. Allen has not lost when they have had a first or second period lead and haven't won when the have trailed after the first or second period. 

- Utah defensemen, Andrew Nielsen (#44) was just selected as the ECHL Player of the Week. He had six assists in Utah's 7-3 win over Kansas City last Saturday. The six assists is tied for the second most assists in a single game in ECHL history. Nielsen leads all ECHL defensemen in scoring with 11 points (1G, 10A).  

 

- Jack Combs will be looking to extend a couple of streaks tonight. Jack has a point in all five of Allen's games and has a three game goal scoring streak. Allen has scored a total five goals in the last three games, Combs has scored three of them. 

- The referee scheduled tonight is #30 Yannick Jobin-Manseau. Don't think he has ever worked an Allen game. 

 

- Here is the game preview issued by the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/game-day-preview-americans-host-utah/

OTHER COMMENTS

- There are only three games in the ECHL tonight. In addition to Utah at Allen, Idaho (6-1-0-0) is at Rapid City (2-5-0-0) and Wheeling is at Toledo. Here is the ECHL Today with the previews:  https://www.echl.com/en/news/2022/11/echl-today-nov-9

 

- In the last five seasons, Allen's record at home against Utah is 11-6-2-1. Last season the teams played five times and Utah won all five. Two of the games were in Allen and both went to overtime.

 

- By my calculation Utah has seven NHL/AHL assigned players, Allen has two.

-  Scott Conway, who played in Allen in 2020-21 is having another great season in Europe playing for the Belfast Giants in the EIHL. They have several different competitions, but if you add them all together Conway has played in 23 games and has 36 points (20G, 16A). Clearly the highest scoring former player in Europe.

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: Here is the ECHL Stats post for today. FYI, Spencer Asuchak has the most goals by an Allen player since 2019-20 with 55.

 

Most goals scored by current ECHL players since the 2019-20 season:

 

77 - Spencer Watson, Indy

76 - Brandon Hawkins, Toledo

76 - Blake Winiecki, Florida

70 - Andrew Cherniwchan, South Carolina

60 - Joe Pendenza, Florida

59 - Stefan Fournier, Wichita