ALLEN, Texas – A gutsy performance by a depleted Allen team earned the Americans one point last night in a 4-3 overtime loss to Wichita before a crowd of 2212 at INTRUST Bank Arena. Playing short three forwards, Allen came back from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits to tie the score 3-3 with 54 seconds remaining in the game and the goalie pulled. While it would have been great to get the overtime victory, it was a huge effort by the team to come away with a point. Wichita scored the game winning goal in overtime while on a 4-on-3 power play after the Americans were given a tripping penalty. Allen continues to lead the ECHL in points with 55, one more than the South Carolina Stingrays.
Allen was playing shorthanded because the flu bug has been going through the locker room. Last week it was Falkovsky, Guptill stayed home because he was sick and last night Asuchak and Brittain couldn’t play. Hopefully, more players aren’t stricken.
The goal scorers for Allen were Olivier Archambault (12), Jordan Topping (16) and Les Lancaster (2).
Here is the complete game recap issued by the Allen Americans: //allenamericans.com/shorthanded-americans-earn-a-tough-point-in-4-3-ot-loss/
Here is the game recap issued by the Wichita Thunder: //www.wichitathunder.com/news/press-release/thunder-wins-in-ot-over-allen.html
Here are the video highlights with all of the goals and some outstanding saves by both goalies.
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxkn7R7PViY
When I asked coach Martinson his thoughts after the game these were his comments:
“Playing three players/forwards short is difficult. 13 is a bad number, playing with 14 allows players a lot more rest.”
“It was a really greasy point the team earned tonight”
“I will look forward to playing them again with a full lineup”
“VanWormer didn’t have a point but was an unsung hero. He blocked two shots while we were shorthanded and then we went down and scored a goal.”
OTHER COMMENTS
The ECHL press release announcing Steve Martinson would be the coach of the Western Conference at the upcoming (January 22) ECHL All-Star game came out yesterday. Here is the press release announcing all of the coaches and other details about the All-Star game: //www.echl.com/news/2020/1/coaches-named-for-2020-warrior-echl-all-star-classic-presented-by-toyota
The players and coaches for the All-Star game have now been announced with Tyler Sheehy and Steve Martinson being selected. There are more announcements to come with the trainer and equipment manager press release coming out this afternoon, broadcasters tomorrow and game officials on Friday. While Allen trainer, Jordan Dutton, is in his first year, so realistically is not in the running for selection to All-Star game, equipment manager Tim Abbott has over 20 years of experience along with three Stanley Cup rings and two Calder Cup rings. Tim is a perfectionist and if you spend time around the locker room or equipment room it is obvious how dedicated he is to this team. It would be nice to see Tim honored. Tommy Daniels is one of the best play by play broadcasters at any level of hockey and the winner of the ECHL Broadcaster of the Year Award in 2016. Tommy is certainly deserving but there are many great play by play broadcasters in the ECHL. With the All-Star game being broadcast live on the NHL Network it will be a big honor no matter who is selected to broadcast the game.
Talk about playing without key forwards, last night was over the top. Allen was missing Sheehy (43 points), Guptill (30 points), Pollock (28 points), Asuchak (23 points) and Brittain (15 points). These five players represent 51% of the forward’s point production this season. (current roster plus those in AHL). It is hard to win games when 51% of your point production by forwards is out of the lineup.
Here are the current Mountain Division point standings with games played in parenthesis:
55 – Allen (38)
45 – Idaho (37)
42 – Utah (34)
41 – Rapid City (34)
38 – Wichita (38)
34 – Kansas City (34)
33 – Tulsa (37)
I remember during Allen’s four championship seasons they would invariably run into a rough patch this time of the season but seemed to find a way to get one point in games they should have lost. Allen is definitely in one of those rough patches having won only four of their last 10 games but they have earned one point in three others. The Americans record in the last 10 games is 4-2-3-1.
DID YOU KNOW: Allen has gone beyond regulation time in 41% (15 of 37) of their games this season: Here is Allen’s record in those 15 games:
Overtime – 7-6
Shootouts – 1-1
The Americans won their first five overtime games but since then have lost six of eight including their last three.
