Allen, TX – For a second straight year, the Allen Americans are ECHL Western Conference Champions. This time around the honors come after defeating the Fort Wayne Komets on Sunday afternoon by a score of 6-4. The Americans win the series 4-1, after taking both games on the road and winning two out of three at home to close the series.
The Komets came out strong to start the game, netting a pair of goals by the midway point of the first period from Cody Corbett on the power play and Shawn Szydlowski at even strength. Fort Wayne however couldn’t maintain the lead, as Allen netted a pair of goals from Casey Pierro-Zabotel and David Makowski, on the power play to tie the game at the first intermission 2-2.
Chad Costello and Gary Steffes are leading the Americans to their second-straight Kelly Cup Finals / Photo by Kimberly Sauer (PHN)
Allen extended their lead with another pair of goals in the middle frame, first from Spencer Asuchak and then Vincent Arseneau to take the 4-2 lead. Komets Captain and former Allen American Jamie Schaafsma brought his team to within one goal just 81 seconds into the third period. That momentum proved to be short-lived when Eric Roy cashed in with the man-advantage to put Allen back on top 5-3.
A desperate late game charge by Fort Wayne resulted in a goal by Garrett Meurs to once again bring the K’s to within one with a little over three minutes to play in regulation. The Komets went into full assault mode, pulling Pat Nagle for the extra attacker and swarmed Jake Hildebrand in the Americans net but couldn’t find the evener. Allen put the game to bed when Greger Hanson notched the empty net goal at 19:47, sealing the Komets fate.
The Americans advance to the Kelly Cup Finals for the second straight year, facing either the South Caroline Stingrays or the Wheeling Nailers. That series resumes Monday night with the Stingrays leading the best-of-seven series 3-2.
Contact the author at maurice.fitzgerald@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer: Kimberly.Sauer@prohockeynews.com
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