Allen Wins, Now Best Division Team Over Last 10 Games, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Teams with Most Points from Defensemen

The Allen Americans beat the Kansas City Mavericks 3-2 last night before a Wednesday night crowd of 2606 at the CUTX Event Center. The Americans got off to a quick start scoring the first goal of the game just 81 seconds after puck drop. Hank Crone put in a rebound after Colton Hargrove skated through three Mavericks right to the mouth of the goal. Crone has been a first goal specialist this season. He has 30% of the goals when Allen scores the first goal of the game.

– Allen book ended its first period scoring after Kansas City tied the score 1-1. The Americans scored their second goal with 66 seconds remaining in the period. Colton Hargrove scored, assisted by Colby McAuley. Hargrove has averaged a goal per game since the end of December (11 games, 11 goals).

– There was no scoring in the second period due in a large part to goalie Chase Perry who stopped all 14 Kansas City shots. The Americans were outshot 14-7. Allen got an insurance goal at the 13:44 mark of the third period when Chad Butcher and Liam Finlay combined on a 2-on-1 break. Butcher made a great play and pass; Finlay tapped it in the net.

– Allen would need that insurance goal. After a long delay to replace a broken glass with 3:57 remaining in the game, the momentum was all with the Mavericks. A bad turnover in the defensive zone led to a Kansas City goal with 2:37 remaining. Allen held on to claim the victory. The Americans could have had an empty net goal as time expired. Liam Finlay had time to score but opted to return the favor for the Butcher pass on his goal. Instead of scoring Finlay slid a pass to Butcher who put it in the net just after time ran out.

– Hank Crone score his 20th goal and 48th point of the season and leads all ECHL rookies in scoring. He extended his points streak to 10 games the third longest current point streak in the league. Colton Hargrove scored his 15th goal of the season and extended his scoring streak to 12 games (18 points) which is the longest current point streak in the league. Finlay scored the game winner, his 14th goal of the season. Finlay has six points (3G, 3A) in the last four games. Here are the video highlights that are not complete but include the three Allen goals: https://www.echl.com/en/video/2023/1/kansas-city-mavericks-vs-allen-americans—jan-25-2023-okgovxl8

– Here is the game recap from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/americans-beat-the-mavericks-3-2-win-the-season-series-4-1/

– Chase Perry and the Allen penalty killers played a big part in the win against Kansas City. Allen was outshot 45-29 put Perry came up big time and time again. Stopping 43 of 45 shots, Perry’s save percentage was .956. Allen did not allow a power play goal. The Mavericks were 0-6 on the power play which included two 5-on-3 opportunities, one of them was six seconds shy of a full two minutes.

– The Americans will now prepare for a grueling three games in three days (actually in less than 48 hours) series against Tulsa and that includes traveling to Tulsa for the game on Sunday. Will have a complete preview tomorrow but these team have always played each other close. Allen is 2-3-0-0 against Tulsa this season and over the last five years the Americans record against Tulsa is 25-24-4-0. Allen needs to win two of the three games this weekend to call this week a success.

OTHER COMMENTS

– With the win last night Allen now has the best record in the Mountain Division over the last 10 games. Here are the points earned and record for each team in the last 10 games:

• 14 points: Allen (7-3-0-0)
• 13 points: Utah (6-3-1-0)
• 12 points: Idaho (6-4-0-0)
• 11 points: Wichita (5-4-1-0)
• 11 points: Rapid City (5-4-1-0)
• 10 points: Kansas City (4-4-2-0)
• 9 points: Tulsa (4-5-1-0)

– After the game last night Allen’s average attendance is 3578 which is 358 more per game than last season. The ECHL average attendance is 4389 which is 454 per game more than last season.

– Hank Crone’s recent scoring streak (10 games) has him climbing the ECHL leader board. Here are a few examples:

• 1st – Rookie points (48)
• 2nd – Rookie goals (20)
• 2nd – Rookie assists (28)
• 3rd – ECHL points (48)
• 3rd – ECHL goals (20)
• 4th – ECHL first goals (5)
• 8th – ECHL assists (28)

– One of the biggest Allen turnarounds from last season is shorthanded goals. This season Allen has scored four shorthanded goals and allowed three for a +1. Last season Allen scored seven shorthand goals and allowed a league high of 20 for a -13.

– If there is an Allen player that should shoot more it would be Liam Finlay who leads the team in shooting percentage. Finlay scores on 24.1% of his shots.

DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL Stats post today is about most team points from defensemen. FYI, Allen defensemen have totaled 60 points this season.

Offensive contributions from defensemen are a key to success. Here are the ECHL teams with the most points from defensemen this season. The list includes the top team in all four divisions and only one team on the list (Orlando) is not currently in a playoff position. The team’s points percentage is in parenthesis:131 points – Idaho (.803)110 points – Jacksonville (.635)96 points – Florida (.697)96 points – Orlando (.513)96 points – Toledo (.577)95 points – Wheeling (.526)94 points – Newfoundland (.731)93 points – Indy (.705)Two defensemen have 30+ points:35 points: Owen Headrick, Idaho33 points: Patrick Kudla, Idaho