ALLEN, Texas – For the third year in a row the Allen Americans have advanced to their league’s Conference Finals, this is their first in the ECHL since joining this past October. The Americans kick off the Western Conference Finals series when they face off against the Ontario Reign on Sunday afternoon. While this will be the Americans’ third try in the Conference Finals, this will be the swan song for the Reign as they are relocating to become the Manchester Monarchs next season in New Hampshire.
Unlike their second round series, Allen has not had a long of a layoff after eliminating Rapid City on Tuesday night, so the Americans should not have the slow start they had in game one against the Rush. Ontario has been idle since last Saturday, three more days than the Americans have been, so both teams should be well rested and fresh come Sunday afternoon.
The two clubs met twice during the regular season, splitting the series 1-1 with a three goal differential in both games during the Americans Ontario (Brampton) to Ontario (Reign), cross-continent road trip. The two teams are slated for a 2-3-2 format, as is customary in these long travel situations – 1,419 miles separate the two cities. The Americans will need to be successful on the road to maintain home ice if they end up splitting their first two home games, just as they did in the Central Division Finals.
The Americans and the Reign comprise nearly half of the leading scorers in the top 18 with four each in that category. Greger Hanson, Spencer Asuchak, Chad Costello and Ian Schultz will be looked upon for continued high production in the series for Allen. On the other side of the ice, former Allen American defenseman Matt Register is leading the charge ahead of Garry Nunn, Tristan King and Matt White for the Reign.
Both teams have both high-powered offenses and take copious penalties, so special teams will play a major factor. This could be troublesome for Allen as they’ve not been as strong with the man-advantage as they were all season long. The Reign are the top-ranked power play unit at 26.2 percent, compared to Allen’s 20.8 percent.
Ontario bests Allen in the penalty kill performance also, allowing the same amount of goals (10) while playing a man short seven more times. The Americans will need to up their special teams play across the board to give them a better chance at success.
Allen continues to be a slow starting team with the first period of play their worst in the playoffs, getting outscored 11-6. As the game progresses, however, the Americans get stronger, outlasting and outscoring their opponents by a vast margin in the final frame 21-7. The Reign are consistent, outscoring their opponents in every period with their strongest also being the third at 12-6.
The biggest keys for Allen will be defensive breakdowns and special teams play, if they want to advance to the Kelly Cup Finals. Defensive breakdowns have been critical in their three post season losses when they’ve not given their goaltending the support it needs.
Ontario has had very solid goaltending from Jussi Olkinuora who has backstopped his club in all but one game this post season, earning a .918 save percentage in the process. The Americans have split the duties between their two goaltenders Riley Gill and Joel Rumpel, with Gill amassing the better record at 5-1 and a .891 save percentage. Expect both goalies to see plenty of action in this series.
With two high-powered offenses on the ice, this will be a dandy to watch and see who advances to represent the Western Conference in the quest for the Kelly Cup.
Western Conference Finals
Game 1 – Sun May 17 4:05 PM Ontario at Allen
Game 2 – Mon May 18 7:05 PM Ontario at Allen
Game 3 – Thu May 21 7:00 PM Allen at Ontario
Game 4 – Sat May 23 6:00 PM Allen at Ontario
Game 5 – Sun May 24 6:00 PM * Allen at Ontario
Game 6 – Tue May 26 7:05 PM * Ontario at Allen
Game 7 – Wed May 27 7:05 PM * Ontario at Allen
*if necessary (All times local)
Contact the writer: maurice.fitzgerald@prohockeynews.com
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