Americans Look for Commanding Lead in the Series
Published on May 19, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Allen Americans News Release
Casey Pierro-Zabotel of the Allen Americans Celebrates vs. the Fort Wayne Komets
(Allen Americans, Credit: Blake Sebring, Fort Wayne News Sentinel)
Allen, Texas - The Allen Americans look for a 3-0 series lead tonight in the Western Conference Finals, as they face the Fort Wayne Komets. Allen won both games last weekend in Fort Wayne and will host the next three games in Allen.
The Americans were all business in Fort Wayne, taking both games at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, including an early overtime thriller last Sunday night. Gary Steffes tipped home a Jordan Rowley shot within the first minute of OT to send the Americans back home with a 2-0 series lead.
"It's a credit to our team for stepping up," said Co-Captain Gary Steffes. "We played without the best goalie in the playoffs (Gill) and our leading goal scorer (Hanson) and still got the job done. We're a tight-knit group that never quits, and we've been getting the results in the playoffs.
Sunday night's game also featured a meeting at center-ice before the puck ever dropped during pregame warm-ups. Former Allen Americans Captain, Jamie Schaafsma had some strong words for his former team following the game in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.
"You get someone who slew foots our backup goalie, we're not just going to stand by. I think that's garbage. You can see them acting like they're patrolling the red line, like they're running security there. I think it's them probably trying to get us off our game and I don't think it really worked. I think it got everyone more heated to beat these guys, a little more motivated. So we're not really going to worry about it too much." Fort Wayne Captain Jamie Schaafsma.
"There are two sides to every story," said Americans Co-Captain Gary Steffes. "I have a lot of respect for Jamie Schaafsma, but there is a certain respect during warm-ups that you don't cross the red-line and their guys crossed to our side several times. We were not going to sit back and let it go. Our guys took offense to that and a few things were said, but to be honest it was not a big deal to us. We wanted to win the game and we did."
Greger Hanson returns to the Americans lineup tonight after missing Sunday's game in Fort Wayne for personal reasons. Hanson leads the Americans in goals scored in the postseason with 9. Chad Costello leads the ECHL in postseason points with 18, and has a three-game point streak to lead Allen.
Tickets for tonight's Game 3 in Allen are on sale NOW at Allen Event Center Box Office or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Call 972-912-1000 for more information.
Allen leads the ECHL Kelly Cup Western Conference Finals 2-0
Allen Americans vs. Fort Wayne Komets
Game 1-Â Friday, May 13, Allen 5 at Fort Wayne, 3 Final
Game 2- Sunday, May 15, Allen 3 at Fort Wayne 2, Final OT
Game 3- Thursday, May 19, Fort Wayne at Allen, 7:05 pm CST
Game 4- Saturday, May 21, Fort Wayne at Allen, 7:05 pm CST
Game 5- Sunday, May 22, Fort Wayne at Allen, 4:05 pm CST*
Game 6- Tuesday, May 24,.Allen at Fort Wayne, 6:30 pm CST *
Images from this story
 Casey Pierro-Zabotel of the Allen Americans Celebrates vs. the Fort Wayne Komets (Blake Sebring, Fort Wayne News Sentinel) |
ECHL Stories from May 19, 2016
- Komets Clip Americans 2-1 - Fort Wayne Komets
- ECHL Transactions - May 19 - ECHL
- Americans Look for Commanding Lead in the Series - Allen Americans
- Thunder Announce Major Press Conference - Wichita Thunder
- ECHL Today - May 19 - ECHL
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