Vets Lead Allen to 8-0 Shutout, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Martinson’s Comments, Bibeau Heads to NHL, Allen Shutout History and More

Nothing like ending a four game losing streak in style and that is exactly what the Allen Americans did yesterday with an 8-0 shutout win in Tulsa. Eight goals in one game after scoring a total of six goals in the previous four game losing streak. Allen’s veterans led the way with Chad Costello scoring six points, Spencer Asuchak garnering five points and Jack Combs tallying three.

– While the vets led the way offensively, rookie Hayden Lavigne was great in goal stopping all 27 Tulsa shots. Lavigne got the start yesterday after Antoine Bibeau was recalled by the Seattle where he will be the backup goalie when the Kraken take on Chicago at home this afternoon (2:00 pm CST). While most of the goalie attention has been focused on Bibeau who played the majority of games since returning to Allen, Lavigne has been outstanding when called on. He played back to back with the short turnaround from the shootout loss in Kansas City on Saturday, travel to Tulsa and an afternoon start on Sunday. Prior to these two games, Hayden’s last start was January 1. How good has Lavigne been in his last three starts. How about two wins, a shootout loss, a shutout and a .961 save percentage.

– When you win 8-0, everything goes well but a key to the win yesterday was the quick start. After going 0-8 on the power play in Kansas City on Saturday and surrendering a shorthanded goal, the Americans struck twice on the power play in the first period. Allen had a long 5-on-3 power play and converted twice on goals by Eric Roy and Spencer Asuchak. The 2-0 lead, which Allen took into the first intermission, was pretty much game over. Allen scored four more goals in the second period to take a 6-0 lead into the second intermission and added two more third period goals to make the final score 8-0.

– The 8-0 win was not a record, but it was close. Allen has had one other 8-0 win since joining the ECHL and the all-time record is a 9-0 win which was also on the road. On December 30, 2016, in Wichita, Chad Costello had four assists, Greger Hanson has a hat trick plus two assists and goalie Jamie Murray stopped 27 Thunder shots to lead Allen to a 9-0 win. It was part of a streak that saw Allen win 11 of 12 games with the only loss coming in a shootout.

– Another key to the game was Allen outshooting Tulsa 36-27. It was the first time this season (5 games) that has happened. Prior to yesterday the Americans were outshot by the Oilers 171-102 in the previous four games.

– It is clear from the game yesterday, the four game losing streak and the recent five game win streak, as the Allen veterans go, so goes the team. Last night the three veterans (Costello, Combs, Asuchak) combined for 14 points (3G, 11A). In the four game losing streak the trio combined for just four points (2G, 2A) and in the five game win streak they combined for 23 points (9G, 14A). It doesn’t diminish the importance of players such as Gould, Roy, Troock, Butcher and Carroll but for Allen to win consistently the veterans need to be on the scoreboard.

– Goal scorers yesterday were Eric Roy (4,5), Spencer Asuchak (11), Chad Costello (14,15), Jackson Leppard (7) Gavin Gould (9) and Branden Troock (11). Players with multiple assists were Asuchak (4), Combs (3) and Costello (3). Here are the video highlights: youtu.be/f75C8zN0bKw

– Here is the game recap from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/game-recap-americans-blank-oilers-8-0/

COACH’S CORNER WITH STEVE MARTINSON

“I thought we had the better chances in the overtime loss in Tulsa on Friday so expected a good game on Sunday.”

“The two quick power play goals in the first period gave us energy. We weren’t doing much up until that point.”

“I made some changes to the power play and that seemed to pay off.”

“Hayden Lavigne played great in goal given he had to play back to back with a short turnaround after the shootout game in Kansas City on Saturday. He has played well going back to his start against Idaho.

“Antoine Bibeau was recalled by Seattle yesterday after one of its goalies was placed in COVID protocol. They would normally recall their goalie from Charlotte but there wasn’t enough time given they play Monday afternoon. I am not sure if Bibeau will stay in Seattle or swap places with the goalie in Charlotte, but he will not be back with us until the Seattle backup goalie (Chris Driedger) comes off COVID protocol.”

“With the uncertainty of when Frank Marotte or Antoine Bibeau might return to Allen I will be looking to sign a goalie before our trip to Utah.”

“The players have today off, we will practice on Tuesday and Wednesday and travel to Utah early on Thursday. We have ice in Utah to practice after we arrive on Thursday.”

“Chad Costello had an assist on the seventh goal (Gould) so he had a total of six points in the game which we will get corrected.”

OTHER COMMENTS

– Chad Costello took a big leap up the ECHL list for most points with his six point game against Tulsa. Chad is now #3 with 37 points (15G, 22A) in 30 games. He is three points behind #1 (40 points) and one point behind #2. Chad has played two fewer games then the two players ahead of him.

– Spencer Asuchak’s five points (1G, 4A) was a first for him since Allen joined the ECHL in 2014. However, as a rookie in the CHL in the 2013-14 season, Spencer had his only other five point games as a pro. He had two in 2014 and they came in the same week:

• March 15, 2014 – In a 7-5 win in Rapid City, (2G, 3A)
• March 21,2014 – In a 7-2 home win against St. Charles (3G, 2A), one goal was shorthanded

– Six points in a game is a rare feat even for a prolific scorer like Chad Costello. Chad has never had a six point game as an Allen American. Just twice in his 246 Allen games did he have five points in a game:

•   January 3, 2015 – In an 8-1 home win against Brampton (1G, 4A)
•  December 5, 2015 – In a 7-3 home win against Utah (3G, 2A)

– The life of Allen All-Star Gavin Gould. The ECHL All-Star game is tonight which makes for more sleepless nights for Gavin Gould. After playing four games in five days with the Americans this week and bussing back to Allen last night, how about making it five games in six days with another game tonight. Gavin flew to Jacksonville early this morning for the All-Star game. Here is his travel itinerary since last Friday, Allen-Tulsa-Kansas City-Tulsa-Allen-Jacksonville-Allen. I have never understood why they don’t have the All-Star game on Tuesday when so many teams play on Sunday. There are three regular season games this afternoon so not sure if those All-Stars are playing or not.

– The ECHL announced a bunch of changes to the All-Star roster this morning. Nine of the players selected to the team will not participate and one of the coaches won’t make it. Here are the details:  https://www.echl.com/en/news/2022/1/roster-changes-announced-for-all-star-classic

– Allen passed Tulsa and Rapid City with the win yesterday to move into third place in the Mountain Division standings. The three games against first place Utah this week will be key if Allen is to move up the standings. Here are the current division standings:

• .629 – Utah
• .591 – Idaho
• .550 – Allen
• .547 – Tulsa
• .542 – Rapid City
• .515 – Kansas City
• .400 – Wichita

 DID YOU KNOW: The 8-0 shutout in Tulsa yesterday was the first of the season for Allen. Here are the total shutouts for each season since the Americans joined the ECHL:

1 – 2021-22 (through 30 games)7 – 2020-215 – 2019-20 (shortened season)4 – 2018-190 – 2017-189 – 2016-17 (Riley Gill had a record seven shutouts)4 – 2015-162 – 2014-15

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