Americans Take Game 1 of Western Conference Finals 5-3
May 13, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Allen Americans News Release
Allen Americans vs. the Fort Wayne Komets
(Allen Americans, Credit: Fort Wayne Komets)
Fort Wayne, Indiana - The Allen Americans defeated the Fort Wayne Komets by a score of 5-3 on Friday night at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, to take a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals.
The Americans jumped on the board first in the opening period, as Gary Steffes, scored shorthanded on a wrap-around from behind the net to give Allen a 1-0 lead. The Americans added to their lead less than four minutes later when Greger Hanson knocked home an Eric Roy shot on the power play to give the Americans a 2-0 lead. Less than two minutes later Casey Pierro-Zabotel scored with the man-advantage to make it 3-0, just over halfway through the first period. Fort Wayne would answer late in the opening frame as Trever Cheek found the back of the net for his 4th of the playoffs, and cut the Allen lead to 3-1 after twenty minutes of play.
Neither team found the back of the net in the second period, which was filled with plenty of whistles. 26 penalty minutes combined in that second frame which saw only seven shots on goal. After the Komets cut the Allen lead to 3-2, Nikita Jevpalovs netted his first of the postseason which turned out to be the game winner in Allen's 5-3 victory. Vincent Arseneau added an empty netter late to seal the win.
"We got off to a great start in that opening period and then let off the gas," said Americans forward Gary Steffes, who was voted the number one star of the game. "Riley Gill made the big saves when needed and we picked up a big win in this series."
Game 2 is on Sunday afternoon at 5:05 PM CST. Tickets for Games 3, 4 and 5, (if necessary) in Allen are on sale NOW at www.ticketmaster.com.
Allen leads the ECHL Kelly Cup Western Conference Finals 1-0
Allen Americans vs. Fort Wayne Komets
Game 1- Friday, May 13, Allen 5 at Fort Wayne, 3 Final
Game 2- Sunday, May 15, Allen at Fort Wayne, 5:00pm CST
Game 3- Thursday, May 19, Fort Wayne at Allen, 7:05pm CST
Game 4- Saturday, May 21, Fort Wayne at Allen, 7:05pm CST
Game 5- Sunday, May 22, Fort Wayne at Allen, 4:05pm CST*
Game 6- Tuesday, May 24,.Allen at Fort Wayne, 6:30pm CST *
Game 7- Thursday, May 26,.Allen at Fort Wayne, 6:30pm CST*
*If necessary.
Images from this story
 Allen Americans vs. the Fort Wayne Komets (Fort Wayne Komets) |
ECHL Stories from May 13, 2016
- Americans Take Game 1 of Western Conference Finals 5-3 - Allen Americans
- Vanecek's 33-Save Shutout Leads Stingrays to Game 1 Victory - South Carolina Stingrays
- Vanacek Victorious in Game One for Stingrays - Wheeling Nailers
- The Grove Hotel, Idaho Steelheads & CenturyLink Arena Awarded Travel Industry Excellence Award - Idaho Steelheads
- ECHL Transactions - May 13 - ECHL
- Nailers vs. Stingrays Playoff Series Preview - Wheeling Nailers
- Community Spotlight - Rapid City Rush
- Americans Open Western Conference Finals Tonight in Fort Wayne - Allen Americans
- Playoff Game Preview: Game 1- Wheeling at South Carolina, 7:05 p.m. - South Carolina Stingrays
- Officials Named for Conference Finals - ECHL
- Washington Goaltending Prospect Adam Carlson Joins Stingrays - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Today - May 13 - ECHL
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.
