Allen Americans Weekly Notes
March 15, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Allen Americans News Release
GAME RECAPS
WEDNESDAY, MAR. 10 @ TEX (W 4-3 SO): Allen traveled across the Metroplex for the last regular season meeting between the Americans and Brahmas. For the first time all year, the Americans scored in the first period when Tobias Whelan lit the lamp. The Brahmas scored shortly into the middle frame, but Allen fired back with a goal from Jarret Lukin. The third period started the same way, but Tyler Shelast scored his first goal for Allen and regained the Americans' lead. The Brahmas tied the score at three before the end of regulation, and neither goalie faltered in overtime. Netminder David McKee shut down all but one Brahma in the shootout, while Justin Bowers and Colton Yellow Horn scored for Allen. The Americans finished the season series 4-3-2.
FRIDAY, MAR. 12 @ RPD (W 5-4 OT): The Americans continued to win big games with a 5-4 overtime victory last Friday. The club was up 2-0 by the seven-minute mark of the first with goals from Tyler Wooddisse and Bruce Graham. The Rush responded with three straight goals before Captain Jarret Lukin tied the game at three with 1:08 remaining in the second period. Christian Gaudet scored a shorthanded goal 47 seconds into the third period to give Allen a 4-3 lead. Rapid City netted a goal seven minutes later to knot the game. Wooddisse ended the game with 1:06 left in overtime to clinch the game. Chris Whitley made a career high 46 saves.
SATURDAY, MAR. 13 @ RPD (L 5-4): The Americans finished the pair of weekend games with a 5-4 loss. Allen started scoring in the game with a goal from rookie Tobias Whelan midway through the first. The lead lasted only 1:45 until Rapid City lit the lamp. The clubs ended the second period deadlocked before a seven-goal third period. Nathan O'Nabigon gave Allen a 2-1 lead at start of the third before Rapid City tallied back-to-back goals. The Americans responded with two straight goals from Tyler Shelast and Nino Musitelli to regain a one-goal advantage, 4-3. The Rush followed that with two more back-to-back goals to put them ahead 5-4. Allen finished the regular season 1-2-0 against the Rush. David McKee made 42 saves.
UPCOMING GAMES
WEDNESDAY, MAR. 17 vs. MIZ at 7:30 p.m.: The Americans host the other expansion team, the Missouri Mavericks, for the first time Wednesday. The Americans beat the Mavericks 4-1 Jan. 21 but lost in the next meeting 3-0 Jan. 30. Captain Jarret Lukin and Colton Yellow Horn both have two points in the season series against Missouri. Americans' ex-backstop Charlie Effinger returns to Allen for the first time with his new team. While with Allen, Effinger posted an 8-3-1 record with two shutouts. The netminder has gone 9-2-1 with Missouri. The Mavericks recently secured a post-season spot and have a 31-25-6 record (68 points), which is fifth place in the Northern Conference.
FRIDAY, MAR. 19 vs. CRP at 7:30 p.m.: Allen is 5-1-0 against Corpus Christi. The Americans are 2-1-0 against the IceRays at home, and none of the games in the season series have gone past regulation. That record includes Chris Whitley's first professional shutout Nov. 21. The goalie has not lost a game to Corpus Christi. Forward Bruce Graham has the most points against the IceRays with nine. Tobias Whelan and Nino Musitelli are close behind with eight each. Corpus Christi is battling with Rio Grande Valley for the final spot in the playoffs. They have posted a 28-25-8 record (64 points), which is fifth place in the Southern Conference.
SATURDAY, MAR. 20 vs. AMA at 7:30 p.m.: To close out the first regular season, Allen hosts Amarillo for the second time. Fans have seen two overtime games between the clubs, with each team walking away with a win. The visiting team has won both contests, a trend Allen hopes to reverse this week. Tobias Whelan has scored two goals and three assists against the Gorillas in two games. Amarillo is out of the playoff hunt with its 20-33-9 record (49 points), which is eighth in the Southern Conference.
Allen Looking to Tie Record: The Americans are hoping to get a string of three wins to finish the regular season with 91 points, the most points an expansion team has earned. Colorado ended the 2003-04 season with 91 points.
Whitley Wins: Goaltender Chris Whitley continues to have the most wins in the CHL with 29. Rush backstop Danny Battochio is next in line with 26. Whitley had a record high 46 saves in the March 12 faceoff between the teams.
Special Teams Strong at Right Times: In the last three games, the Americans' power play has gone four for twelve, and the club has given up one power play goal in 15 attempts. The club shut down Rapid City's power play in the pair of games last weekend.
Americans With Three CHL Award Finalists: The CHL announced its finalists for the four significant CHL awards, and Americans made the cut in three categories. Bruce Graham is up for CHL Most Valuable Player, while Chris Whitley is a finalist for Most Outstanding Goaltenders and Rookie of the Year.
Welcome Back: Since his return, the presence of Justin Bowers has been noticed. In 10 games, Bowers has had 19 points in the contests, including two goals and two assists March 5 against the RiverKings. Bowers leads the Americans in scoring with 73 points in 49 games.
Graham's Going Strong: Forward Bruce Graham is second on the Americans in scoring with 72 points this season and has the most game-winning goals on the team with eight. His eight-game point streak was snapped Wednesday against the Brahmas, as was his five-game goal streak. The forward rebounded Friday night with a goal against the Rush and he had an assist Saturday night.
Love the Lead: The Americans continue to dominate when leading after 40 minutes of play. Allen is 27-1-0 when it leads after two periods.
Roster Moves: Wing Tyler Shelast was recalled by the American Hockey League's Texas Stars March 15. He scored two goals and registered one assist in five games with the Americans.
The Americans activated forward Liam Huculak from injured reserve March 12. Allen signed amateur George Bradley March 10. The club also waived forwards Mick Berge and Maxim Chamberland March 9 and March 10, respectively.
Central Hockey League Stories from March 15, 2010
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- Justin Quenneville Named CHL Man Of The Year - Corpus Christi IceRays
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