Allen Comeback Ends With OT Loss, Game Recap, Video Highlights, ECHL’s Best Power Play Teams and More

The Allen Americans lost a close one last night, losing in Tulsa 5-4 in overtime before a big crowd of 5955 at the BOK center. It was a much improved performance for the Americans from the loss in Allen Friday night. Allen had to keep fighting the entire game just to get to overtime and salvage something out of the trip to Tulsa. The Americans fought back from deficits of 2-0, 3-2 and 4-3 and it took an unassisted shorthanded goal from Jackson Leppard with just over two minutes remaining to send the game to overtime.

– Overtimes have not been Allen’s friend this season and it proved to be the case again last night. The Americans took a slashing penalty in overtime and Tulsa converted for its third power play goal of the game. I had a chance to touch base with coach Martinson after the game and he was obviously disappointed in the results. His comment that succinctly captured the game, “Their power play was better than ours.”

– It has been and up and down season for the Americans and it seems like if one area improves something else becomes the problem. Last night was a perfect example. Prior to last night the Americans had allowed a total of two power play goals in the last 12 games. Last night Tulsa scored on half its power play opportunities (3-6). Allen hadn’t allowed three power play goals all season, prior to last night.

– Despite the loss there was some bright spots in the game for the Americans:

• Allen out shot Tulsa 35-24.
• Shot differential improved from -27 on Friday to +11 on Saturday.
• Allen scored a power play goal for the fourth straight game.
• Allen scored its second shorthanded goal in the last week.
• Allen scored four goals for just the second time in nine games.

– Goal scorers for Allen were Kris Myllari (5), JD Dudek (2), Phil Beaulieu (3) and Jackson Leppard (13). Here are the video highlights: https://youtu.be/72YRuRg12Hg

– Here is the game recap from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/americans-lose-hearbreaker-in-overtime/

OTHER COMMENTS

– Allen’s overtime record is now 0-5 and the Americans are the only team in the league without an overtime win. The Americans only extra time win came in a shootout, they are 1-1 in shootouts.

– Chad Costello had two assists last night and is now tied for the ECHL lead in scoring with 46 points (18G, 28A).

– Jackson Leppard’s shorthanded goal last night was his fourth straight game with a goal, which is tied for the current longest goal scoring streak in the ECHL.

– With the loss last night Allen has dropped back to a .500 points percentage. The only Mountain Division team with a lower points percentage is Wichita (.442). If there is a silver lining in Allen’s current three game losing streak it is they have not lost any ground to fourth place and the final playoff spot. Rapid City is just ahead of Allen with a .534 points percentage. Here are the current Mountain Division standings:

• .625 – Utah
• .605 – Idaho
• .573 – Tulsa
• .534 – Rapid City
• .500 – Allen
• .500 – Kansas City
• .442 – Wichita

– Allen’s next five games are against the Kansas City Mavericks. The first three are in Allen this coming Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The final two are in Kansas City on February 15 and 16. With several Allen players expected to return this week, it will be an opportunity for the Americans to distance themselves from the Mavericks and get back into a playoff position.– Newfoundland was the class of the ECHL early in the season but has fallen on hard times. The Growlers have lost six straight games and eight of their last nine. From being way ahead in points percentage at over .800, Newfoundland has dropped to #9 at .578.DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL Stats post today is about power play percentages. Allen’s power play percentage is currently 19.1%. and is ranked #15 in the league. In Chad Costello’s first three year stint in Allen, the Americans were ranked #1, #2 and #3 in power play percentage.The power percentage was always above 20% and was as high as 24.4%. Look for Allen to move up the rankings the second half of the season.50% of NHL teams exceed 20% on the power play with one over 30%. In the ECHL, 33% of the teams exceed 20%. Here are the nine ECHL teams with power play percentages above 20%:27.6%: Maine24.1%: Idaho23.8%: Newfoundland21.9%: Rapid City21.6%: Iowa21.5%: Toledo20.9%: Adirondack20.5%: Trois Rivières20.1%: Fort Wayne

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