Americans Down Oilers, 4-1
Published on November 3, 2012 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Allen Americans News Release
Allen Texas-The Allen Americans downed the Tulsa Oilers, 4-1, on Friday night at Allen Event Center. Allen came back from an early 1-0 deficit to score four unanswered goals in the victory.
"(Tulsa) has some guys that will score if you give them the opportunities," said Americans head coach Steve Martinson. "But I thought we did a much better job limiting their opportunities tonight, especially on the power play."
The second period proved to be a juggernaut for the Americans, as they outscored the Oilers, 3-0, in the period and never looked back.
Jamie Schaafsma got Allen on the board 5:08 into the second with his second goal of the season with assists to Jarret Lukin and Brett Skinner. Lukin would score just four minutes later on a shorthanded breakaway to give the Americans a 2-1 lead.
The third Americans goal of the night may have been the prettiest of the season. Lukin got the puck on-side just below the Tulsa blue line and faked a shot as the Oilers defense scrambled to get in front of the slot for a possible block. Lukin instead fed the puck to Darryl Bootland just below the right circle, who made a perfect pass across the crease to Ryley Grantham, who buried it for his first goal of the season.
Grantham's goal gave the Americans a 3-1 lead they would take into the third period. He added an unassisted empty-net tally to seal the game with seconds remaining.
"I had Ryley last year so I know he's a tough guy to play against and he's got good hands," said Martinson. "If you give him the opportunity to score, he will bury it. He doesn't take a night off and he has a mean streak to him. He's a nice guy off the ice and a mean one on the ice. He's my kind of player."
Aaron Dell got his second start of the season in net for Allen. He stopped 18-of-19 shots to earn his first win of the season.
"I thought Aaron was great," said Martinson. "He showed why he was an All-American."
The win gives the Americans a 5-1-0 record on the season, good for tops in the Berry Conference.
"We had a couple of key guys out tonight in (Scotty) Howes and (Kip) Brennan, but we have good depth," said Martinson
"(Brian) McMillin sits out a few games and comes in and scores a few goals. I like what I see and I like what our goalie did tonight. I like the way we're looking."
The two teams will face off again on Saturday evening in Tulsa.
Central Hockey League Stories from November 3, 2012
- Rush End Sundogs' 5 Game Point Streak - Arizona Sundogs
- Brown & Conway Power Rush to 2-1 Victory - Rapid City Rush
- Cutthroats' Offense Explodes in 7-1 Win over Brahmas - Denver Cutthroats
- Allen Powerplay Pushes Americans Past Oilers - Tulsa Oilers
- Thunder Get Back to .500 with 6-4 Win in Missouri - Wichita Thunder
- Gilbert, Blaze Drop Mallards 6-3 - Quad City Mallards
- Gilbert Hat Trick Leads Blaze to Fifth Straight Win - Bloomington Blaze
- CHL Suspends Rapid City's Alex Penner - CHL
- Americans Down Oilers, 4-1 - Allen Americans
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
