Game Day Preview: Middle Game of a Three-Game Series
January 6, 2024 - ECHL (ECHL)
Allen Americans News Release
Allen Americans introduce themselves to the Wichita Thunder
(Allen Americans, Credit: Ed Bailey)
Wichita, Kansas - The Allen Americans, ECHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators (NHL), and Belleville Senators (AHL), beat the Wichita Thunder 4-1 on Friday night. Tonight will be the fourth meeting of the year between the two clubs. Allen is 2-1-0 against Wichita this season, and 2-0 at Intrust Bank Arena. Game time is 7:05 PM.
Allen Americans Tonight:
Pregame Show: 6:50 PM CST
Puck Drop: 7:05 PM CST
Watch Live: FLOHOCKEY.TV
Listen Live: AMERICANS 24/7
On the Call: Tommy Daniels and Maurice Fitzgerald
Next Home Game: 1/10/24 vs. Utah, 7:10 PM CST
Winning Streak Continues: The Americans defeated the Wichita Thunder 4-1 on Friday night to extend their winning streak to three games. Wichita never led in the contest as the Americans built a 2-0 second period lead. Despite being outshot 41-26, the Americans won their eighth road game of the season improving to 8-9-1 away from home. Game 2 of the three-game series is tonight at 7:05 PM. The Americans are 6-1-0 in their last seven games.
Merilainen Shines in a 4-1 win: Leevi Merilainen won his fourth straight start stopping 40 Wichita shots on Friday night. He lowered his goals against average to 3.06 for the season with a 0.924 save percentage. With the victory, his record improved to 7-4-0 this season in 11 starts. He had a 1.00 GAA in 60 minutes of work with a 0.976 save percentage.
12 and counting: Hank Crone picked up where he left off after missing Wednesday night's game due to illness, scoring his 11th goal of the season on Friday night to extend his point streak to a season-high 12 games. He finished the night with a goal and an assist setting up Eric Williams on his second goal of the year. The last time he didn't produce a point was December 6th in Utah.
Brodzinski continues to light the lamp: Easton Brodzinski has a goal or more in back-to-back games, putting his 12th of the season in the back of the net on Friday night. Brodzinski took a pass from Nolan Orzeck and fired a wrist shot past Wichita goalie Georgi Romanov. Brodzinski has five goals in his last five games. With the goal on Friday night, he moved within three goals of Colby McAuley for the team lead.
Power Play Stalls: The Americans went 0-for-5 on the power on Friday night and are 1-for9 in their last two games. The Americans power play on the road is ninth overall at 22.9 %.
When Scoring First: The Americans have a record of 9-4-1 this season when scoring the first goal of the game. Opponents are outscoring the Americans 34-27 in the first period this season.
Comparing Allen and Wichita
Allen Americans
Home: 6-8-0
Away: 8-9-1
Overall: 14-17-1
Last 10: 7-3-0-0
Allen Americans Leaders:
Goals: (15) Colby McAuley
Assists: (22) Hank Crone
Points: (33) Hank Crone
+/-: (+13) Blake Murray
PIM's: (61) Jordan-Ty Fournier
Wichita Thunder:
Home: 7-7-0-0
Away: 3-10-4-0
Overall: 10-17-4-0
Last 10: 2-6-2-0
Wichita Thunder Leaders:
Goals: (18) Peter Bates
Assists: (21) Peter Bates
Points: (39) Peter Bates
+/-: (+2) Devon Becker
PIM's (68) Jeremy Masella
SEASON AND GROUP TICKETS ON SALE!
Don't miss the excitement of Americans Hockey in 2023-2024. Call 972-912-1000.
Images from this story
 Allen Americans introduce themselves to the Wichita Thunder (Ed Bailey) |
ECHL Stories from January 6, 2024
- Fawcett, Zmolek Score in Royals' Series Finale Loss to Steelheads, 5-2 - Reading Royals
- Oilers Shut Out Rush in Front of Third-Largest Crowd in ECHL History - Tulsa Oilers
- Cyclones Set Teddy Toss Record in Loss - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Comeback Falls Short on Saturday Night vs. Allen - Wichita Thunder
- Steelheads Close Out Three-Game Series With Win Over Reading, 5-2 - Idaho Steelheads
- Oilers Shut Out Rush 3-0 - Rapid City Rush
- Centazzo Calls Game in 4-3 Thriller Over Cincinnati - Toledo Walleye
- Lions Register Convincing 5-1 Win - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Americans Hand Wichita 5-4 Loss - Allen Americans
- Railers' Point Streak Snapped in 5-1 Loss to Lions - Worcester Railers HC
- Firriolo's Goal Highlights 4-1 Defeat at Fort Wayne - Iowa Heartlanders
- Nailers Square Weekend Series with 5-2 Win - Wheeling Nailers
- Stingrays Storm Past Gladiators on Carolina Country Night - South Carolina Stingrays
- Cam Hillis Scores Twice in Big Win over Admirals - Indy Fuel
- Swamp Rabbits Down Defending Champs in Overtime - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Indy Squeaks Past Norfolk in Saturday Night Matchup - Norfolk Admirals
- Growlers Defeat Grizzlies 3-1 on Saturday Night - Utah Grizzlies
- Mariners Fall to Thunder in Overtime - Maine Mariners
- Thunder Stun Mariners in Overtime, 5-4 - Adirondack Thunder
- Growlers Get Past Grizzlies 3-1 - Newfoundland Growlers
- Thunder Looks to Snap Skid Tonight vs. Allen - Wichita Thunder
- ECHL Transactions - January 6 - ECHL
- Oilers Announce Series of Transactions - Tulsa Oilers
- Gladiators Fall to Everblades in Physical Overtime Bout - Atlanta Gladiators
- Grizzlies Gameday: Second Game of Long Road Trip - Utah Grizzlies
- Stinil Returns to Wichita - Wichita Thunder
- Worcester Signs Former Railer Ross Olsson & Goaltender Josh Boyko - Worcester Railers HC
- Charles Martin Earns First Career Call-Up - Rapid City Rush
- Solar Bears Sign Defenseman Chays Ruddy - Orlando Solar Bears
- Mariners Get Mast, Keyser from Providence - Maine Mariners
- Game Notes - January 6 - Rush at Tulsa Oilers - Rapid City Rush
- Game Day Preview: Middle Game of a Three-Game Series - Allen Americans
- Savannah Extends Winning Streak to Three - Savannah Ghost Pirates
- K-Wings Add Firepower, Sign Former Spartan Cody Milan - Kalamazoo Wings
- Royals Strive to Reel in Series Sweep over Steelheads in Idaho - Reading Royals
- Gahagen Saves 40, Mongo Nets Game Winner in Royals' Win Over Steelheads, 2-1 - Reading Royals
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.
