Americans Close out Road Schedule with 5-4 Shootout Win
March 23, 2014 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Allen Americans News Release
Wichita, Kansas - The Allen Americans wrapped up the regular season road schedule Sunday afternoon at INTRUST Bank Arena with a 5-4 shootout win over the Wichita Thunder.
Allen jumped on the board quickly when Anthony Maiani redirected a shot by Spencer Asuchak into the net to give Allen the 1-0 lead at 4:47 of the first period and notch his 3rd goal of the year. The Americans extended their lead to 2-0 when Brian McMillin lit the lamp for the 11th time this season with assists from Kale Kerbashian and Dallas Ehrhardt at the 8:45 mark. Wichita answered back quickly to cut the Americans lead in half when RG Flath scored at 9:28, assisted by Garrett Gruenke and Tomas Klempa. The Thunder held the edge in shots on net by a count of 8-6 but the Americans held the 2-1 lead on the scoreboard at the first intermission.
Allen extended their lead further in the second period with a pair of goals from Jonathan Lessard, his 25th and 26th goals of the year. Lessard's first came on the power play at 16:52, with assists from Brian McMillin and Anthony Maiani. Then Lessard followed it up knocking in his own rebound at 18:55, assisted by Brian McMillin. Allen dominated in shots in the period by a count of 19-6 and held the two period total at 25-14, while holding the 4-1 lead.
Wichita cut into the Americans lead past the midway point of the third period when Tomas Klempa slid a backhand past Bryan Pitton at 12:23, assisted by Matt Summers and Jon Madden. Wichita pulled the goaltender for the extra attacker and it paid off twice, with goals from Matt Summers, assisted by Jon Booras and Mike Wilson at 19:20 and then Andrew Martens notched the tying goal at 19:52, assisted by Matt Robinson and Mike Wilson to force the game to overtime. Wichita dominated shots in the third period at 19-3 and held the three period total at 33-28.
Wichita held the edge in extra time outshooting Allen 5-3 but neither team could find the back of the net, so the game was decided by shootout. RG Flath scored for Wichita in shootout, Bruce Graham, Tyler Ludwig and Spencer Asuchak netted goals for Allen to give the Americans the 5-4 shootout victory.
With the win, the Americans improve to 38-20-5 with 81 points and move into 3rd place in the Central Hockey League standings, ahead of Rapid City by one point and two points behind 2nd place Denver.
Allen return home to close out their regular season with three home games beginning this Wednesday night against the Quad City Mallards; the puck drop is scheduled for 7:05PM.
Central Hockey League Stories from March 23, 2014
- Sundogs Clinch 2014 Playoff Spot - Arizona Sundogs
- Americans Close out Road Schedule with 5-4 Shootout Win - Allen Americans
- Mavericks Sweep Mallards in Weekend Series - Kansas City Mavericks
- Oilers Bound for Postseason After 6-3 Victory over Chill - Tulsa Oilers
- Tulsa Tops Chill 6-3 - St. Charles Chill
- Mallards Suffer Third Straight Loss to Mavs - Quad City Mallards
- Three First Period Goals Push Sundogs to 4-2 Win - Arizona Sundogs
- Three-Goal Third Dooms Thunder - Wichita Thunder
- Denver Cutthroats Fall in Arizona - Denver Cutthroats
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