Dallas/Allen, Texas – The Allen Americans, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, defeated the Idaho Steelheads 5-4 on New Years Eve to win the three-game series 2-1.
Gavin Gould’s second goal of the season came shorthanded in the second period. His goal turned out to be the eventual game winner for Allen as the Americans won for the fourth time in their last six home games.
“It was a total team effort,” said Gavin Gould. Idaho is a great team. We just beat them two out of three. That says something about our team. We’re starting to get healthy at the right time.”
Hank Crone scored a pair of goals, his 9th and 10th of the season. Blake Murray added a goal and two assists.
“This was a signature win for us,” noted Murray. It takes a full group effort to beat a team like Idaho. We proved this weekend we can play with the best teams in the league.”
Jordan-Ty Fournier had his best game of the season adding three assists.
Grant Hebert returned to the Americans lineup on Sunday evening after missing almost two months due to injury.
The Americans went 0-for-6 on the power play on Sunday, but still have the fourth overall ranked power play at 24.8 %.
With the Allen victory they jumped Wichita into fifth place in the Mountain Division just four point behind fourth place Tulsa and just five points behind third place Rapid City.
The Americans return to action on Wednesday night at home against the Tulsa Oilers. Game time is 7:10 PM CST.
Three Stars:
1. ALN - G. Gould
2. ALN - H. Crone
3. ALN - B. Murray
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