Idaho silences Allen to take 1-0 series lead

ALLEN, Texas – The Allen Americans and Idaho Steelheads began their first round series of the Kelly Cup Playoffs Thursday night in front of a crowd of over 4,000 at the Allen Event Center.

Despite being outshot 37-24, it would be the Steelheads coming out on top with the 3-1 win and the 1-0 series lead in the end which saw some flat play from the Americans for most of the sixty minute contest.

The Americans came out flying, setting the tone in the early going with good pressure in the Steelhead end of the ice and a lot of physical play that led to a couple of close scoring chances for Allen.

The big shift in momentum came just past the midway point of the first period when Idaho held the Americans to just a trio of fairly weak shots on a double minor power play and shortly after, got a huge break in their favor.

Less than 30-seconds later, Andre Bouvet-Morrissette was credited with a goal that was scored by Allen defenseman David Makowski, who accidentally banked the puck off of the back of Jake Hildebrand and into the Americans net at 13:07. The goal gave the Steelheads the 1-0 lead and a game changing morale boost.

Idaho extended their lead to 2-0 early in the middle frame when Emil Molin hit Shawn Boutin in stride with a pretty feed that Boutin rocketed into the net at the 3:11 mark.

There was a flicker of hope and some life from Allen late in the period when Gary Steffes lit the lamp at 17:25 and set off a flurry of pressure by the Americans to close out the period. However, a stingy Steelhead defense frustrated Allen’s attempts at getting the evener, providing excellent support for their goaltender Philippe Desrosiers through all three periods.

The Steelheads followed their second period script and scored early to regain the two-goal lead at 3:49 on a goal by Tommy Fallen. That took what little wind was left in the sails for Allen and kept their flat play from rising to the occasion and getting them back in the game.

Game two is set for Saturday night at the Allen Event Center; puck drop is 7:05PM CST.

Contact the author at maurice.fitzgerald@prohockeynews.com