The Allen Americans have been known to be in some exciting games just in the past two months.
It could be a game that goes into overtime—in a scenario they don’t play well in (tied for last in the CHL with six). It could be a shootout—again something they aren't the best at.
But in the New Years Eve game against the Laredo Bucks, the Americans seemed to have a bad taste in their mouth going into this game.
Could have it been the game 24 hours prior? It just may very well have been.
In his press conference just 21 hours prior to Saturday nights drop of the puck, Coach and General Manager Dwight Mullins seemed to have some problems with some of effort on the ice in Friday night’s game, from certain players—who went nameless.
The players came out in the first period of Saturday nights game kind of sluggish, as the Americans and Bucks were unable to get a goal in the first period.
However in the second period, #55 Dominic DAmour turned into the enforcer for the Americans, earning his second five minute major for fighting and an instigation call as well as a two minute roughing call at 3:06.
DAmour was also called for fighting in the first period. But the second fight could have been in retaliation for a hard hit against Colton Yellow Horn at the beginning of the second period.
Laredo started the scoring in the second period at the 1:01 mark as #15 Matt Pierce put in a goal off a rebound off of goalie Marco Cousineau (CHL All-Star reserve), assisted by #23 Neil Trimm.
Then just a few moments later #16 Brett Clouthier called for cross checking that lead to a Laredo power play goal by Pierce (2), assisted by Neil Trimm (2), and #22 Kyle Sibley.
But it was the fight Damour was involved with started the intensity of the Americans.
At the 11:51 mark of the second period CHL All-Star #21 Bruce Graham scored after two very intense plays on both sides of the ice for both teams.
But it wasn't until a backhand shot score by Graham during a power play, that was set up because of a pass from #3 Tyler Ludwig, that was led like a back shoulder pass in football, and Graham was able to maneuver a beautiful backhand shot that was behind him, past #33 Ryan Rondeau who had iced the Americans for 76:35.9 minutes, prior—going back to Friday night‘s game.
Graham again scored (16th of the season) at the 16:31 mark of the second period with an assist from #7 Jarrett Lukin to tie the game at two.
It wasn’t until there was only 43 seconds left in regulation, after a series of great plays by both goalies yet again, did #12 Keith Johnson score, when a rebound off Lorado’s Rondeau, was there for the taking right in the blue of the crease, and Johnson beat Rondeau to the puck to score the winning goal for the Allen Americans.
Mark Cousineau stopped 16 shots on goal, for his 11th win of the season for the Americans, and is ranked #5 in the CHL.
The Wichita Thunder also won on New Years Eve against the Evansville Ice Men to remain one point ahead of Allen in the standing with 41 points in the Berry Conference.
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