ALLEN, Texas – The Allen Americans welcomed the Utah Grizzlies to the Allen Event Center in front of a crowd of 4,409. The Allen Americans were without star defenseman Rick Pinkston and impressive forward Nikita Jevpalovs, who were called up to the San Jose Barracuda, Allen’s AHL affiliate. The personnel losses would be overcome by the Americans, as they stuck it out for a 2-0 win.
Two months ago to the day, the Americans beat the Grizzlies by a score of 7-3. While that previous meeting was replete with offense, the first period tonight was dominated by goaltending. Allen’s Joel Rumpel and Utah’s Ryan Faragher were able to keep a blank slate through the first 20 minutes. Allen had two Power Play opportunities which were negated by two penalties of their own. Rumpel provided the clear cut highlight with a fantastic diving glove save late in a Utah Power Play.
Despite Allen’s Greger Hanson putting the first goal of the night on the board for a 1-0 Americans lead, Rumpel and Faragher continued their goaltending clinic by making highlight saves in succession. With Allen taking the one goal lead into the second intermission, fans inside the Allen Event Center were left awestruck by the ever impressive performances from both netminders.
In the third period, it was the Americans who would add on to the lead in the form of a full ice empty net goal from David Makowski. Rumpel was able to turn aside all 29 Utah shots on goal to cap off the shut out in gaudy fashion.
The Americans will be back in action at the Allen Event Center tomorrow, Saturday, February 6th at 7:05 pm against the Wichita Thunder.
With Allen Americans release
Contact the photographer: Kimberly.Sauer@prohockeynews.com
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