CHL Allen Americans

Allen Americans Weekly Notes

February 9, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Allen Americans News Release


GAME RECAPS

TUESDAY, FEB. 2 @ MIS (W 3-2): In a strange game, the Americans found themselves down 2-0 after 20 minutes of play. The club responded with three unanswered goals, two coming from Nino Musitelli and the game-winner from Ryan Fairbarn midway through the third. Chris Whitley made 32 saves in the game.

FRIDAY, FEB. 5 vs. MIS (W 5-4): The Americans earned their two points in a 5-4 victory over the RiverKings in a physical battle and penalty-ridden contest. The teams combined for 109 penalty minutes and 20 power plays. Mississippi jumped out to an early lead, but the Americans struck back with quick goals from Nathan O'Nabigon and Bruce Graham. The RiverKings tied the score before the period ended. Allen got ahead of Mississippi off tallies from Graham and Nino Musitelli in the second and allowed only one RiverKings goal. Things got heated after Tyler Wooddisse checked Bobby Chaumont into the boards. He was pulled into a tussle with Matt Summers, while Mike Salekin went at it with David Simoes. Ryan Fairbarn gave the Americans a two-goal cushion on a power play 54 seconds into the third. Darrell Stoddard scored his third goal of the night, but Mississippi could not light the lamp again as the Americans held off the 'Kings.

SATURDAY, FEB. 6 vs. RGV (W 4-1): The Americans scored the games first four goals in a 4-1 win over the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. Defenseman Tyler Wooddisse put the first goal away midway through the first on a slap shot. Then, the Americans scored three goals in the span of 1:19 after starting the second period with a 5-on-3 power play. Goals came from Nino Musitelli, Bruce Graham, and Colton Yellow Horn. Rio Grande Valley managed to score their lone goal in the middle frame but couldn't muster any more offense. Chris Whitley made 26 saves.

UPCOMING GAMES

THURSDAY, FEB. 11 vs. TUL at 7:30 p.m.: The Americans begin a stretch of six games in eight days with Thursday's home matchup against Tulsa. The contest is the third meeting between the teams, the second at the Allen Event Center. The Oilers shut out the expansion club in the first meeting Nov. 3 4-0 in Tulsa, but the Americans won 5-3 the next time they saw each other Dec. 11. Tulsa is 22-19-2 (46 points) and fifth place in the Northern Conference.

FRIDAY, FEB. 12 @ AMA at 7:05 p.m.: Allen travels to Amarillo for its first game there in the middle of their three games in three nights stretch. In the first contest, Allen won in overtime 3-2 Jan. 22 at the AEC. Amarillo is 17-24-6 (40 points) and seventh place in the Southern Conference.

SATURDAY, FEB. 13 @ TEX at 7:05 p.m.: The Americans take on the Brahmas at NYTEX Sports Centre for the fourth time Saturday. In the season series record, Allen has gone 3-2-1 against its Metroplex rivals. The club looks to break the hometown trend, as neither team has won in the other's building. Texas currently sits third in the Southern Conference with a 23-17-5 record (51 points).

Graham's Going Strong: After Saturday's contest, forward Bruce Graham is now tied with Justin Bowers for most points on the Americans with 54. He was named first star of the game in both contests last weekend with three goals and two assists. He also had an assist in the 3-2 road victory over Mississippi.

Musitelli Red Hot: Winger Nino Musitelli, linemate of Bruce Graham, has 14 points in the last 10 games, the most of any American. He had the first two goals in the 3-2 win in Mississippi and four more points in the weekend contests. Musitelli goes into Thursday's game riding a three-game goal streak and continues to hold the 2009-10 season record for longest point streak with 17 games.

Jersey Debuts at Home Fuel Wins: The Americans debuted their silver third jerseys Jan. 23 on home ice and defeated the Mudbugs 5-1, giving the team an undefeated record in the new sweaters. The club then donned its all-blue jersey Jan. 29 and beat the IceRays 6-3. The team wore their blue jerseys at home again Feb. 6 against the Killer Bees and won, making them 2-0-0 at home in the dark uniforms.

Love the Lead: The Americans continue to dominate when leading after 40 minutes of play. Allen is 21-1-0 when it leads after two periods.

Whitley Continues to Lead League: Rookie goaltender Chris Whitley continues to lead the league in wins with 23. Odessa's Joel Martin is next in line with 18.

Fairbarn's Game-Winning Goals: Defenseman Ryan Fairbarn's game-winning goal Friday gave him the most on the team with six. Nathan O'Nabigon has five, and Bruce Graham and Nino Musitelli have four each. He has the most out of any defensemen in the league.

Roster Moves: The Americans traded goalie Charlie Effinger Feb. 8 to Missouri to fulfill the prior trade that sent defenseman Sean Perkins to Allen. The club then signed Cornell standout and Texas native David McKee to fill the vacancy.

Forward Mick Berge was placed on IR Feb. 5. The club signed forward Matt Radoslovich to fill the vacancy.

The Abbotsford Heat assigned Justin Bowers to the Americans Feb. 4, and the forward took a leave of absence Feb. 5.

Defenseman Erik Adams was activated from IR Feb. 2, and Chris Kaufman was placed on 14-day IR the 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 February 9, 2010


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