Americans Win Wild Affair 3-1 over Rapid City
December 4, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Allen Americans News Release
Allen Americans Stopped by Riley Gill of the Rapid City Rush
(Allen Americans, Credit: Melissa Warren)
Allen, Texas - The Allen Americans returned home tonight to face the Rapid City Rush, in their first game at Allen Event Center since November 21st. Allen jumped out to a 2-0 lead and never looked back in a 3-1 victory Friday night.
After a tough road trip to Utah, where the Americans dropped both games of a weekend series to the Grizzlies, the first period since returning home was exactly what the doctor ordered. The Americans only mustered six shots on goal, but still found the back of the net twice. Both goals came late in the period, first from Vincent Arseneau, his 5th goal of the year, and then from Dyson Stevenson, his 2nd goal of the year. Arseneau was set up nicely in the slot by a pass from Jacob Poe, where the resulting time and space started off the scoring. Shortly after, a seemingly harmless shot from Arseneau was sent in from the point, finding the corner of the net, aided by a deflection from Stevenson. After suffering eleven total goals against last weekend, defense had to be stressed for the Americans. That philosophy was highlighted by nine first period saves for starting goaltender Riley Gill.
In the second period, the Rush were able to capitalize off of an Americans turnover, with a highlight reel goal from Zach Cohen. Cohen's 5th of the season was the only offensive tally in the frame. Opposite Gill, Rapid City goaltender Marek Langhamer stole the show with several jaw dropping saves. Offensive chances were mostly even, as the period ended with the shot totals at 20-18 in favor of the Americans.
The Americans were able to not only hold their lead in the third period, but extended their lead for some insurance. Ian Schultz entered the offensive zone as the puck carrier as a two-on-one opportunity presented itself. He took the shot himself, finding an opening through the legs of Langhamer, making it 3-1 Americans. Gill held up his end of the bargain also, as the Rush amassed a total of 28 shots on goal. That performance earned him "First Star of the Game."
A skirmish at the end of the game was symbolic of a tough, hard fought victory tonight at the Allen Event Center. As we have seen many times before, the Americans didn't score the most beautiful of goals tonight, but grinded things out in the dirty areas. That effort resulted in a much needed character win for Allen.
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 Allen Americans Stopped by Riley Gill of the Rapid City Rush (Melissa Warren) |
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