Americans strike first in Kelly Cup Finals

Allen, TX – The 2016 Kelly Cup Finals got underway Saturday night at the Allen Event Center with the Allen Americans looking to defend their title against the Wheeling Nailers.

After a fairly balanced and scoreless opening frame, the Americans took charge in the second period netting four goals to the Nailers one by period’s end. It was Tristan King, subbing on the point for the injured David Makowski, who got things started for Allen with a power play goal at 1:15 of the frame. A little over ten minutes later, King followed with his second of the night to extend Allen’s lead to 2-0.

Gregor Hanson scores a power play goal to give Allen a 3-1 lead / Photo by Kimberly Sauer (PHN)

At the 15:11 mark, the Nailers were finally about to crack the scoreboard with a shorthanded goal by Shane Bakker to cut the Americans lead to one. Any momentum Wheeling picked up from the Bakker goal was short-lived as Greger Hanson potted a goal just 20 seconds later to regain the two goal lead for Allen. In the final minute of play, Spencer Asuchak redirected a point drive by Aaron Gens to close out the scoring for the period.

A more focused and determined Wheeling team took the ice in the third period, pressing the Americans who seemed content to just lay back in prevent defense. That focus and determination paid dividends when the Nailers scored a pair of goals within 80-seconds, to cut the Allen lead to one. In the waning stages of the frame, Gary Steffes converted on a 2-on-1, to give the Americans a slight buffer.