Allen wins thriller in overtime

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS , Texas – A series that was anticipated to be an exciting one has not let the fans down in the DFW Metroplex.
With the Americans trailing the Brahmas in the series two games to one, it would be former Brahmas captain, now Americans captain Jason Deitsch, who would lead his team to victory in a dramatic overtime win to even the series 2-2.
 
Things got off to a quick start with a fight just two minutes into the game between Ryan Hand and Brett Clouthier after the two exited the box having earned matching minors before the puck even dropped.
 
At the 16:03 mark an Americans goal was waved off by the official, saying the puck was kicked in off of Jason Deitsch’s skate. This prompted an uproar from the Allen bench, as there was no distinct kicking motion made to nullify the goal. That was the only time the puck crossed the goal line and with the washout, the period ended scoreless, with shots ending in favor of Texas for the period at 9-6.
 
The second period began with the Americans shorthanded as Colton Yellow Horn sat in the box for a slashing call at the end of the first period. The Allen penalty kill was up to the task, holding the Brahmas to only one shot on goal in the power play which seemed to give the Americans some momentum.
 
Bruce Graham broke the scoreless tie for the Americans, notching a goal for the fourth straight game at the 3:26 mark. Graham shoveled in a rebound on the backhand with assists going to Mark Nebus and Jim McKenzie. Then Colton Yellow Horn notched a marker at 15:27, assisted by Bruce Graham and Tyler Ludwig to extend the Americans lead to 2-0.
 
Texas was able to cut into the Americans lead on a late period power play goal by T.J. Fox, assisted by Ross Rouleau and Sy Nutkevitch at 18:56. At the end of the second period, Texas continued to lead in shots on goal 9-8 for a two period total of 18-14.
 
The tempo was fast paced and the action end-to-end in the third period with Texas getting the greater share of shots in the period. The Brahmas persistence and hard work paid off past the midway point of the frame when Erik Spady fired a rocket from the left point at 11:51, assisted by Mike Hellyer and Gregg Eskedjian to tie the game 2-2.
 
The period finished at the same fast and furious pace it began but Allen’s penalty kill unit was called upon yet again, to kill a late penalty with 2:55 remaining in the game. The Americans had the better chances with a couple of short handed tries but were unable to get one past Mark Guggenberger in the Brahmas net. Regulation time expired with the score 2-2 and the shots again in favor of Texas 12-8 and a three period total of 29-21.
 
Texas ramped up the pressure in the overtime period determined to end this one early, assaulting Marco Cousineau and the Allen defense with shot after shot for the first six minutes. Cousineau made several incredible saves and the Allen defense laid their bodies on the line, allowing only four shots to make it to the net but to no avail for Texas.
 
Allen was finally able to get some pressure going in the Texas zone after withstanding the six minute Texas attack. During a flurry of action in front of the Texas crease, Jason Deitsch picked up the loose puck and fired it past Guggenberger to net the all important game winner at the 6:51 mark, assisted by Colton Yellow Horn to even the series 2-2.
 
Game Five of the best-of-seven series is set for Saturday night at the Allen Event Center with the opening puck drop scheduled for 7:05 pm CST.
 
Contact the writer at maurice.fitzgerald@prohockeynews.com