BOISE, Idaho – Wednesday night was game three of the Kelly Cup Playoff Quarterfinals series between the Allen Americans and the Idaho Steelheads, being the first of three games to be played this week in the Gem State. Special teams were the key this night as the Americans converted twice with the man advantage and the Steelheads managing their only goal on the power play as well.
The Americans started things off the first period on their “A” game, opening things up when Greger Hanson fired a shot past Philippe Desrosiers at 4:44 for his first of the post season. Allen then extended their lead to 2-0, making short work on their first power play of the night as David Makowski tickled the twine just nine seconds into the man advantage at 15:59. Eric Roy assisted on both Allen goals for the period and ECHL Scoring Champion Chad Costello continued his torrid pace with an assist on the Makowski goal, bringing his point streak to 22 games including the end of the regular season.
Idaho came out fired up in the second period, worked hard and was outshooting Allen 6-1 in the first five minutes when the hard work paid off. Tommy Fallen scored for the Steelheads on the power play at the 4:28 mark to cut the Americans lead in half.
The Americans answered back with another power play goal when Matt Register netted one seven minutes later, on one of only five shots that Allen managed in the period. Idaho threw everything at the net, nearly quadrupling the Americans in shots with 18 but Riley Gill proved stingy through 40 minutes of play, surrendering only one goal.
The Steelheads once again put a withering assault on the Americans net in the final frame but were deterred by the phenomenal netminding of Gill, turning aside all but one of the 38 shots faced all night. Rallying behind their goaltender, Allen held on for the 3-1 win and now take the 2-1 series lead into game four on Friday night.
The series resumes on Friday night for game four at the CenturyLink Arena; puck drop is set for 7:10PM MDT.
Contact the author at maurice.fitzgerald@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.