Allen Americans Weekly Notes
January 4, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Allen Americans News Release
GAME RECAPS
THURSDAY, DEC. 31 @ WIC (W 3-0): Allen traveled to Wichita for the two clubs' first meeting. In the first of three straight games for the Americans, Allen scored one goal each period to defeat the Thunder 3-0. Nathan O'Nabigon, Christian Gaudet and Tyler Wooddisse netted goals, and Charlie Effinger posted his second shutout of the season. The Americans power play was 2-7 and the club closed out 2009 earning their twentieth win.
FRIDAY, JAN. 1 vs. COL (W 5-1): The Americans hosted Colorado for the first time at the Allen Event Center last night. After splitting games in Colorado in November, the Americans swiftly defeated the Northern Conference leaders in a team effort. Chris Whitley kept the club in the game early, stopping 18 shots in the first period. The opening frame marked the first time that neither team has recorded a goal in the first period at the Allen Event Center. Forward Nino Musitelli opened scoring in the game in the second period to give the Americans a 1-0 lead. Colorado responded with a goal four minutes later, but Allen received tallies from Captain Jarret Lukin and defenseman Ryan Fairbarn before the second intermission to regain the lead. The Americans continued to light the lamp in the third, getting goals from Colton Yellow Horn and Nathan O'Nabigon. The Americans closed the season series 2-1-0 against the Eagles.
SATURDAY, JAN. 2 vs. LAR (W 4-3 OT): Allen beat Laredo for the third time this season Saturday night. The Americans scored three power play goals en route to an overtime victory. The win was the third consecutive victory in three nights. Chris Whitley made 31 saves, and Justin Bowers, Ryan Fairbarn, Sean Perkins and Nathan O'Nabigon had goals in the game. The Americans are 3-0-0 against the Bucks this year.
UPCOMING GAMES
FRIDAY, JAN. 8 @ TEX at 7:05 p.m.: In the sixth meeting between the cross-town rivals, the Americans and Brahmas will play the second contest of the North Texas Vintage Game Series, which commemorates the old time Metroplex rivalries. The Americans will be donning Dallas Black Hawks jerseys, and the Brahmas will be in Fort Worth Wings sweaters. Allen is 3-1-1 against Texas. The home team has won each contest in the season series.
SATURDAY, JAN. 9 @ MIS AT 7:05 p.m.: The Americans travel to Mississippi for the first time this year. The Americans lost their last contest to the RiverKings at the Allen Event Center 3-1 before Thanksgiving. The RiverKings are currently 16-13-3 (35 points).
Fierce Fairbarn: Defenseman Ryan Fairbarn has registered a point in the last five games. He had an assist in the shutout against Wichita, a goal in the 5-1 win over Colorado and a goal in the 4-3 overtime victory over Laredo.
O'Nabigon Getting in a Groove: Forward Nathan O'Nabigon had points in the last three-game stretch, scoring one goal in each game. He had the game-winning goal in the overtime win against the Bucks, and he is +3 in the last three games.
Whitley Named Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week: The Central Hockey League announced today that Chris Whitley was named the Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week for the period ending Jan. 3. This is the second time in the 2009-10 season that the rookie netminder has received the honor (previously won Nov. 23). Whitley earned his league leading fifteenth and sixteenth wins last week against the Colorado Eagles and the Laredo Bucks. Last Friday, he made 18 saves in the first period to keep Allen in the game against the Northern Conference leading Eagles before his team generated five goals to beat Colorado 5-1. The Oshawa, Ontario, native stopped 43 shots that game. He followed it with a 31-save performance the next night against Laredo in a 4-3 overtime win. He had a 2.00 GAA and.949 save percentage this weekend.
Feeling Hot: The Americans enter Friday's game at Texas on a five-game winning streak. Their last loss was against the first-place Odessa Jackalopes on the road Dec. 22.
Power Play Pizzazz: The Americans scored three power play goals in Saturday's matchup with Laredo, which marks the second time this season that the club has had three goals with the man-advantage in a single game. Allen also scored twice on the power play against the Wichita Thunder New Year's Eve, giving the club a power play success rate of 29.41% over the last three games.
All-Star Americans: Last week, the CHL announced the All-Star Team starting lineup and reserves. Both Allen alternate captains were named to the team. Justin Bowers was voted to the starting lineup, and Bruce Graham was named a reserve. The starters were selected via voting done by league head coaches, communications departments and select media members from CHL cities. The CHL All-Star Team is made up of players from all CHL teams with the exception of the Laredo Bucks, the Corpus Christi IceRays and the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. The Bucks, IceRays and Killer Bees will combine to form the South Texas All-Star Team. The game will be held Jan. 13 in Laredo.
Beginning of Weekly Shows: Tommy Daniels, the voice of the Allen Americans, will be hosting weekly shows with Americans Head Coach and General Manager Dwight Mullins and Captain Jarret Lukin on Sports Juice beginning this week. The show with Coach Mullins will be Tuesdays at noon, and Lukin's show will be Thursday's at noon. Fans will be available to listen at sportsjuice.com. Each show will last 30 minutes. The first show tomorrow with Coach Mullins will be held in the merchandise store located in the northwest corner of the Allen Event Center. The first five fans in attendance will receive a pair of tickets to an upcoming game.
Road Trip Friday: The Americans are offering a road trip experience to the last contest in the North Texas Vintage Game Series at NYTEX Sports Centre Friday, Jan. 8, at 7:05 p.m. against the Texas Brahmas. Fans can receive a ticket, transportation to and from the game and a meal for only $30. For more information or to purchase a ticket, please call 972.912.1000. All reservations must be made by Wednesday, Jan 6.
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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