Americans Edge Rapid City 2-1
March 11, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Allen Americans News Release
(RAPID CITY, SD) - Chad Costello potted a shorthanded goal, Jamie Schaafsma added an extra tally, and Riley Gill stopped 23 shots and a spirited Rapid City Rush comeback, sealing a 2-1 win for his visiting Allen Americans on Tuesday night. The win gives Allen a 20 pt lead in the ECHL's Central Division and keeps the boys in Red in 1st overall in the ECHL with 85 pts.
It took 37:21 of hockey to eventually see an ignition of the goal lamp, and it was the Americans that started the scoring entries. With 2:39 left in the second period, on the third Rush power play of the game, Kevin Young broke up a neutral zone pass, tipping the puck to Chad Costello. The ECHL's leading scorer had a cross-ice option in the Rush zone, but elected to take the shot and just squeaked it by Rush netminder, Danny Battochio, to lift the Americans to a 1-0 lead heading into the third.
Jamie Schaafsma, the Americans captain, double the Americans lead to 2-0 at the 4:29 mark of the final frame. On a three-on-two break into the Rush zone, Schaafsma tipped a cross-ice pass from Greger Hanson past Battochio through the back door, increasing the Americans' lead. The Rush came back with a power play goal, as Jesse Schultz hacked a rebound from a Mathieu Brisebois shot past Allen goaltender Riley Gill to cut the deficit to 2-1 with 3:58 left in regulation. With 19.1 seconds left, the Rush won an offensive zone draw and had three quality chances to tie the game, but Gill and the Americans' defense stood tall and held on for a 2-1 win after an exhilarating 60 minutes.
Danny Battochio received the loss, stopping 28 of 30 shots thrown towards his net (17-17-2). The Rush penalty kill held the Allen power play, third best in the league, to an 0/4 count in regulation.
Both teams will engage in a rematch on Friday, March 13th, with puck drop slated for 7:05 p.m. MST at Premier Home Mortgage Ice in Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The Americans return to the AEC on Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18 to take on the Wichita Thunder. Call 972-912-1000 or visit www.AllenAmericans.com for details or to purchase tickets.
Tonight's 3 Stars of the Game Powered by AIG
1. ALN - 22 Jamie Schaafsma
2. RC - 10 Jesse Schultz
3. ALN - 13 Chad Costello
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