CHL Allen Americans

Allen Americans Weekly Notes

Published on March 1, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Allen Americans News Release


GAME RECAPS

TUESDAY, FEB. 23 @ RGV (W 5-4): Allen beat Rio Grande Valley 5-4 in overtime to secure its first-ever playoff berth. The Americans jumped out to a quick lead with goals from Nathan O'Nabigon and Colton Yellow Horn before the Killer Bees scored back-to-back goals of their own to tie the score before the first intermission. Allen regained their two-goal lead in the second period with tallies from Jarret Lukin and Justin Bowers only to see the score tied 4-4 at the end of regulation. With 15 seconds remaining in overtime, Jordie Benn scored the game-winning goal that clinched Allen's first playoff berth in club history.

THURSDAY, FEB. 25 vs. LAR (W 6-4): The Americans hosted Laredo to begin a three-in-three stretch. Allen jumped out to an early 2-0 lead for the second game in a row with goals from Colton Yellow Horn and Tobias Whelan. Laredo caught up with Allen by the middle of the second period before the Americans pulled away with tallies from Nathan O'Nabigon and Bruce Graham. The Bucks fought back to tie the game at four with 7:29 left in the third. In his second goal of the night, Graham shoved the puck in the net on a wrap-around. Jordie Benn secured the win with an empty-net goal off a shot from the defensive end to make the final score 6-4.

FRIDAY, FEB. 26 vs. BOS (L 4-3): The Mudbugs beat Allen for the first time this season in a close 4-3 game. After a quick first period, the game was scoreless. Bossier-Shreveport scored three goals in a span of 1:23 to begin the middle frame. Allen regrouped and found goals from Nathan O'Nabigon and Christian Gaudet before the period ended to head into the third down by one. Justin Bowers lit the lamp to tie the score at 2:05 of the final period. The 'Bugs got a late goal with 3:01 remaining to break the deadlock. Even though the Americans pulled Alexandre Vincent to put the extra attacker on, they couldn't find the back of the net.

SATURDAY, FEB. 27 @ MIS (L 5-3): The shorthanded Americans fell to the RiverKings 5-3 in yet another physical battle between the clubs. The Americans jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead with a goal from Brandon Straub before falling behind 2-1 by the end of the first period. Mississippi increased their lead to two before Bruce Graham netted a goal, but the RiverKings scored one minute later to make it 4-2. With 1:15 left in the game, Justin Bowers closed the gap to one goal with the extra attacker on the ice, but Mississippi shot the puck into an empty net to bring the final score to 5-3.

UPCOMING GAMES

TUESDAY, MAR. 2 @ BOS at 7:05 p.m.: The Americans begin their second straight stretch of four games in five days on the road. After losing a tough game last Friday to Bossier-Shreveport, the Americans are looking for a bit of revenge. Allen is 3-1-0 against the Mudbugs. Last time they visited Bossier City, they beat the 'Bugs 2-1. Justin Bowers leads the Americans in points against Bossier-Shreveport with eight. The Mudbugs are 33-17-4 (70 points) and sit third in the Northern Conference.

THURSDAY, MAR. 4 @ LAR at 7:00 p.m.: Allen heads to Laredo for the second time this season. The last time the clubs met was last Thursday in a 6-4 Americans victory. In Allen's last visit to Laredo, the club left with a 5-4 overtime win. The Americans are 4-0-0 against the Bucks. Justin Bowers and Bruce Graham each have eight points in games against Laredo. The Bucks are 13 points behind Allen with a 27-18-9 record.

FRIDAY, MAR. 5 vs. MIS at 7:30 p.m.: The Americans finish their four-in-five with back-to-back home games versus the Mississippi RiverKings. After falling 5-3 last weekend to the club, Allen hopes to earn two wins this weekend. The Americans are 3-2-0 against the 'Kings. Nino Musitelli leads the Americans with seven points against Mississippi.

SATURDAY, MAR. 6 vs. MIS at 7:30 p.m.: Allen hosts Mississippi Saturday night to finish their second stretch of four games in five days. Mississippi is 27-21-7 (61 points) and is fourth in the Northern Conference.

Whitley Earns First AHL Win: Netminder Chris Whitley received his second call-up to the American Hockey League when the Lake Erie Monsters (Colorado Avalanche affiliate) recalled him Feb. 25. In his first AHL game Feb. 28, Whitley recorded 37 saves in a 6-5 shootout win over Grand Rapids. He joins former American Charlie Effinger and forward Justin Bowers as Americans that have been with AHL teams this season. Texas recalled him Feb. 13 before assigning him back to Allen Feb. 15.

Americans Make First Playoffs: The Americans clinched their first-ever playoff berth Tuesday night when they defeated Rio Grande Valley in overtime. Allen became the second team in the CHL to earn a post-season spot. Odessa, Rapid City and Colorado are the only other teams that have secured a playoff march.

O'Nabigon Nabbing Goals: Forward Nathan O'Nabigon has four goals and two assists in the last five games. For the season, he has recorded 14 goals and nine assists in 45 games.

Yellow Horn Five-game Point Streak Snapped: Forward Colton Yellow Horn accumulated three goals and four assists in the five games prior to the Feb. 26 faceoff against the Mudbugs. He has 24 points in 33 games this year with Allen.

Welcome Back: Since their returns, the presence of defenseman Jordie Benn and forward Justin Bowers has been noticed. In four games, Benn has had three points, including the playoff-clinching goal Tuesday and the empty-net goal that secured the win Thursday. Bowers has had eight points in the contests, including an assist on Graham's game-winning goal last Thursday against Laredo.

Graham's Going Strong: Forward Bruce Graham leads the Americans in scoring with 66 points this season. Graham was the number one star Feb. 11, Feb. 17 and Feb. 25 when he netted the game-winning goal each night. He leads the team with seven game-clinching goals.

First Gordie Howe Hat Trick: Rookie Tobias Whelan recorded the first Gordie Howe hat trick Friday, Feb. 12, against Amarillo when he fought Chris Cloud, grabbed a goal and notched three assists in the game.

Love the Lead: The Americans continue to dominate when leading after 40 minutes of play. Allen is 24-1-0 when it leads after two periods.

Roster Moves: Netminder Trey Boylan was waived March 1, and goalie David McKee was activated from IR. Defenseman Chris Kaufman was placed on 14-day IR, retroactive to Feb. 27, and forward Liam Huculak was placed on 14-day IR, retroactive to Feb. 25.

Erik Adams returned from his leave of absence Feb. 26 in time for the contest against Bossier-Shreveport. He was +1 in the game.

Goaltender Chris Whitley was recalled by the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters Feb. 25. The club signed Plano native Trey Boylan to fill in as backup.

Defenseman Erik Adams was granted a leave of absence by the league Feb. 21, and defenseman Jordie Benn was activated from 14-day IR that same day.

Listen and Watch Live: All Americans games are broadcast live on CHL-TV and Sports Juice. To watch and listen to Tommy Daniels, voice of the Allen Americans, visit chltv.insinc.com. To listen for free, visit sportsjuice.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 1, 2010


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