Americans’ power play boils the ‘Bugs

ALLEN, Texas – The Allen Americans scored a big victory Sunday night, evening their Berry Conference best-of-seven series against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs at 1-1 with a victory driven by special teams.
The Allen power play unit fueled the win, capitalizing three times on the man-advantage and further buoyed by tenacious work on the penalty kill.
 
Clay Plume got the ‘Bugs on the board first, taking a drop pass from David Rutherford, who received a pass from deep in the Bossier zone as Rutherford left the penalty box. Plume fired it past Chris Whitley’s blocker to give the ‘Bugs the opening goal at 10:31 of the first period.
 
While it took the Allen power play a few tries to warm up and get going, the Americans penalty kill unit was on fire. Led by the tireless work of Tobias Whelan and Dave Bonk, Allen shut down the Bossier power play all evening long, denying all chances with the man advantage.
 
Both Bonk and Whelan have really stepped their level of play in the post-season on the penalty kill unit, showing tremendous determination and grit.

Bonk put on an incredible one man show during the second Allen penalty kill, single-handedly killing 41 seconds of the man advantage and earning a well deserved ovation from the fans for his efforts when he returned to the bench.
 
The ‘Bugs looked strong in the first period, smothering the Allen puck carrier with double and triple teams, repeating the same tactic Odessa used successfully in the first couple of games in their series against the Americans. Allen still hasn’t adjusted to this tactic as they continue to fall prey to over handling the puck with two men on them, rather than quickly hitting the man left open by the double team.
 
The first period ended on a solid note for the Americans when Justin DaCosta hit Nino Musitelli in stride, flying down the left wing side. Musitelli fired a sneaky backhander past John DeCaro to even the contest at 1-1 with just 14.3 seconds left in the period. Shots on goal were a very low 8-6 in favor of the ‘Bugs.
 
The Americans came out looking stronger in the second frame, forcing the issue in the ‘Bugs end and denying them chances in their own for the first eight minutes. A pair of matching minors opened the ice up a bit and finally allowed Bossier to get that chance.
 
The Americans were scrambling in their own zone with Bossier pressing hard, allowing Jeff Kyrzakos to trickle one past Whitley at 8:10 to move the ‘Bugs back into the lead, 2-1 on their first shot of the period.
 
The complexion of the game changed completely over the next 2:21 as the Americans capitalized on three consecutive power plays. The first was when Shawn Limpright was given a double minor when his high stick cut Jonathan Zion on the face.
 
Colton Yellow Horn wired a shot over the glove of DeCaro at 13:14 to level the score at 2-2. Then it was Dave Bonk’s turn, scoring the go-ahead goal with a one-timer from the left point at 14:43.
 
A scrum after the play led to three more penalties being assessed and the second big Allen power play situation, just seconds after scoring the two back to back power play goals.
 
With the momentum clearly on their side, the Americans made the ‘Bugs pay when Bruce Graham lit the lamp at 15:35. A tremendous momentum shift in the game for the Americans who scored three big goals with a power play that has been struggling as of late. Graham’s goal would also chase DeCaro from the net for Bossier in favor of Ryan Munce.
 
The third period saw a re-invigorated Americans team on the ice, making quicker passes and using an aggressive forecheck to harass the Bossier breakout.
The ‘Bugs rallied and picked up the tempo late in the period and fired shot after shot at Whitley who made several key saves to protect the Americans lead.
 
The aggressive play of Bossier eventually led to them earning a late power play and nearly a second one while they were on the man-advantage.
 
During the man-advantage, Jamie Milam took a high stick to the face that needed repairs on the bench. None of the officials took note of it however, a big break for the Americans.
 
Just seconds after the Americans killed the crucial power play, Milam returned to the ice and made a pretty pass to Kyrzakos, who one-timed it past Whitley, netting his second of the game to bring the ‘Bugs to within one at 17:58.
 
With just 50 seconds remaining in regulation, Bossier pulled Munce in favor of the extra attacker. The Americans defense were able to hold on and Colton Yellow Horn made a fantastic steal off Milam, taking the puck down the ice and hitting the empty net to give the Americans the insurance goal and the win with just 7.2 seconds left on the clock.
 
The series picks back up with Game Three Wednesday night at the Allen Event Center at 7:30pm CST. Due to schedule conflicts with their own arena, Bossier will be playing as the home team at the AEC.  
 
Contact the author at maurice.fitzgerald@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer at chip.crail@prohockeynews.com