Americans Even It Up
April 16, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Allen Americans News Release
Allen Americans Celebrate a Goal vs. the Idaho Steelheads
(Allen Americans, Credit: Melissa Warren)
Allen, Texas - Idaho rode goaltender Phillipe Desrosiers in game one, who stopped 36 of the 37 Allen shots on goal. In game two at the Allen Event Center, the Allen Americans bounced back to win 3-1 over the Steelheads.
Riley Gill started in net for the Americans in game two on Saturday evening. He was sparingly challenged in the opening frame, as the offense gave him something Jake Hildebrand did not see in game one...a lead. It was once again Gary Steffes finding the net for the Americans, giving Allen the first goal of the game, and first lead of the series.
Dyson Stevenson and Andrew Carroll attempted to inject life into their respective clubs in the first period, squaring off for what seemed to be a full ten round bout.
Casey Pierro-Zabotel would find the net for Allen on an early second period Power Play. Despite having two goals against for Steelhead goaltender Desrosiers, he kept Idaho in the game when, just moments later, he made a split save on a backdoor play. It was recently named ECHL MVP Chad Costello who almost set up Pierro-Zabotel on the cross-crease feed.
As the game rolled on and the third period came around, persistence played its part. Pierro-Zabotel scored Allen's second goal, which came in the second period, and was immediately denied on a glorious chance by Desrosiers. However, Pierro-Zabotel and the Americans stayed to their craft, resulting in the second goal of the game and of the playoffs for the do-it-all center.
"Last game, we had too many turnovers. That just kills your momentum, it obviously gives them chances that they don't have to work for." Allen head coach Steve Martinson was quick to voice his dismay at his team's performance in game one. However, he was just as quick to recognize the improved play in game two. "Our Power Play was much better tonight." The Power Play was not satisfying to say the least in game one, but played a major role in game two. The eventual game winning goal from Pierro-Zabotel was scored on the Allen man-advantage.
"I think we came out with a little more fire, we were a little angry, we played really good defensively." Coming off of a healthy scratch in game one, JP Lafontaine played his part in shutting down Idaho, who was held to 22 shots on goal, a night and day turnover from game one.
Vincent Arseneau was quietly one of the best offensive performers for the Americans tonight, notching two assists on the first two Allen goals. "We had a good presence offensively." That large presence came into play throughout the entire game, especially late, when tempers flared at the final buzzer. When asked about the intensity spike, Arseneau was quick to say, simply, "it's playoff hockey."
The Americans will head to Idaho for Game 3 of the Kelly Cup Playoffs, which will be on Wednesday, April 20th, at 7:05 pm.
Images from this story
 Allen Americans Celebrate a Goal vs. the Idaho Steelheads (Melissa Warren) |
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