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WEB EXCLUSIVE: Down the stretch: Americans in first heading into last month
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@starlocalnews.com
The Allen Americans are focused on winning the CHL Championship that has eluded the franchise during its first three seasons in the league.
Being the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs would help that goal.
And that's where Allen (32-13-9, 73 points) is positioned heading into the final month of the regular season. The Americans kept that spot, which they have held for the bulk of the season, with a 2-1 weekend run against their two closest challengers.
"It was a big win for us," said Steve Martinson, Americans head coach. "We are in a dog fight for first place right now and sometimes that's a good thing going down the stretch to keep you focused."
The game winner came from Jarret Lukin, who passed Colton Yellow Horn for second all-time on the Americans' goal-scoring list by tickling the twine for a 68th time.
Saturday night versus the Fort Worth Brahmas would be a different story.
Allen got on the board first with a power-play goal from Brian McMillin, but it was all Fort Worth from there as the Brahmas scored six unanswered goals and drove Americans netminder Steve Silverthorn out of the game. John Snowden posted two goals and an assist in the 6-1 Fort Worth win. As if the goals weren't enough to keep fans entertained, the game featured a total of 200 penalty minutes as well as several ejections.
"We have to get after [Fort Worth] early and be as physical as we can be," Martinson said.
The Americans accomplished that goal in Sunday afternoon's rematch at the AEC.
Aaron Dell (16-6-6, 2.26 goals against average), who spelled Silverthorn late in Saturday's game, stopped all 26 shots he saw for his second shutout of the season and a 4-0 win. Allen provided the requisite offense via first-period goals from Jason Deitsch and Anthony Maiani (team-high 51 points) with Chris Doyle and Trevor Ludwig lighting the lamp in the ensuing periods.
The Americans met the Brahmas for a third time in four days Tuesday night, improving their all-time record against Fort Worth to 28-10-7 with a 3-1 victory. Kale Kerbashian, Garrett Clarke and Jamie Schaafsma (team-high 22 goals) scored for Allen.
Annual Allen Police vs. Fire game
Allen wraps up its four-game homestand over the weekend with a 7:05 p.m. game Friday against the Thunder and 7:05 p.m. game Saturday versus the Missouri Mavericks.
Prior to the Mavericks game will be the fourth annual Allen Police vs. Fire game.
"The Police vs. Fire hockey game is one of the biggest highlights of the season," said Matt Canavan, Americans president.
"This will be an exciting game to watch," added Brian Harvey, Allen police chief. "Both the Police and Fire teams have developed some great players."
The game, which begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, raises money for the Public Safety Recovery Fund and Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.
"Thanks to the support of the Allen Americans, this event has grown significantly each year and become a can't miss event in Allen," said Bill Hawley, Allen fire chief. "And we expect to see another record crowd [Saturday]."
"Our police and firemen are second-to-none and do a fantastic job for our city," said Stephen Terrell, Allen mayor. "This is a great event that earns much-needed funds for worthwhile causes."
Martinson, associate coach Richard Matvichuk and Americans minority owner Craig Ludwig have all pledged to help coach or skate in Saturday's game.
Allen Fire holds a 2-1 lead in the series, but the Police were victorious last year, 4-1.
Tickets to Saturday's Americans game, which will also allow fans into the Police vs. Fire game, can be purchased by contacting Samantha Cuppen (972-912-1022, Samantha@allenamericans.com), Allen Police, Allen Fire or Special Olympics of Texas.
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