ALLEN, Texas – The Allen Americans rallied from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Laredo Bucks 3-2 Saturday night at the Allen Event Center.
After a scoreless first period, the Laredo Bucks jumped on the scoreboard first , when Neil Trimm found Matt Pierce all alone in front of the Allen net to give Laredo a 1-0 lead. Less than a minute later it was Pierce again , deflecting a Trimm shot on the power play to give Laredo a 2-0 lead. Eight minutes later, the Americans cut the Laredo lead in half, when Bruce Graham fired a shot from along the right side that beat Ryan Rondeau to make it 2-1 Laredo. Graham picked up his second of the night, and 16th of the season to tie the game at the 16:30 mark. Graham’s backhander to the right of the goal found its way over the blocker of Ryan Rondeau and into the net to make it 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. In the third frame, the Americans found their rhythm, firing shot after shot on the Laredo net. But it wasn’t until the 19:17 mark that the Americans grabbed their first lead. Matt Hanson failed to clear the puck away from the front of the net while Ryan Rondeau was out of position, setting up Keith Johnson ’ s poke into the open net and a 3-2 win for the Americans.
“It was a credit to all our guys for fighting back tonight,” Americans Head Coach and GM Dwight Mullins said. “Bruce Graham got us going with a couple big ones in the second, and Johnson got the biggest of all late in the third.”
The Fort Wayne Komets and Americans finished 2011 tied for the most points during the year. Fort Wayne finished 2011 at 43-19-6 (92 points) and the Americans finished with a 42-17-8 record (92 points). PHN Photographer Chip Crail photographed all the action Saturday night at the Allen Event Center and has submitted the following images from the contest.
Allen goalie Marco Cousineau makes a save.
Allen winger Keith Johnson pressures Laredo%27s Neil Trimm.
Laredo%27s Mark Nebus battles Allen defenseman Dominic D%27 Amour.
Laredo%27s Matt Pierce send the puck past Allen Goalie Marco Cousineau. Pierce tallied two goals on three shots on the night.
Laredo%27s Matt Pierce (%2315) beats Marco Cousineau during the power play.
The puck crosses the goal line as Allen center Bruce Graham (behind the net) celebrates.
Right Wing Keith Johnson moves the puck.
Laredo%27s Eric Boisvert (%2310) heads into the fray.
The Americans play the Bucks again tomorrow night at the Allen Event Center. Contact the photographer at chip.crail@prohockeynews.com Contact the editor at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com
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