Boise, Idaho - The Allen Americans, ECHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators (NHL), and Belleville Senators (AHL), played Game 5 of the Mountain Division Semifinals on Tuesday night. Behind a Danny Katic hat trick, the Americans beat the Steelheads 6-3 to win the series in five games.
Idaho jumped on the board first as Kaleb Pearson scored his eighth of the season sliding one through the five hole to put Idaho up 1-0. The Americans had the only power play of the opening period and made the Steelheads pay for their mistake when Danny Katic scored his third of the postseason to even the game at 1-1. The Americans outshot Idaho 10-9 after the first period.
The two teams traded goals twice in the second period. Brayden Watts scored his fourth of the playoffs by walking to the front of the Idaho net and sliding it past Jake Barczewski. Then Spencer Asuchak, with his first of the postseason with 7.9 seconds left on the clock in the period and the two teams were even for the third time in the game. Shots on goal were even at 21-21 after two periods of play.
The third period belonged to the Americans, who scored three times. Danny Katic completed his hat trick, marking the 11th Americans hat trick of the season. With the win the Americans will move on to the Mountain Division Finals to play either Kansas City or Tahoe. Stay tuned for more information on Round 2 of the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
For tickets to Round 2 of the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs contact your Americans Ticket Rep at 972-912-1000.
The Americans win the Best-of-Seven Series 4-1
Game 1, Idaho 1 at Allen 5 Final
Game 2, Idaho 2 at Allen 4 Final
Game 3, Allen 4 at Idaho 3 Final OT
Game 4, Allen 1 at Idaho 5 Final
Game 5, Tuesday, Allen 6 at Idaho 3 Final
Steve Martinson: “In big games it helps to have big plays. Our Power Play made the scoring look easy and our goal with seven seconds left in the second period to tie the game was a big momentum moment for us. I’m proud of how disciplined we played. It was a really good team win.”
The Allen Americans Professional Hockey Club is a member of the ECHL, the world’s top Double-A hockey league, and is the affiliate of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Ottawa Senators
Founded in 2009, Championship Hockey is the backbone of the franchise, with the Americans having captured back-to-back ECHL Kelly Cup Championships in 2014-15 & 2015-16 and two Central Hockey League President’s Cups in 2012-13 & 2013-14.
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