ALLEN, Texas – The Allen Americans defeated the Missouri Mavericks on Friday night by a score of 4-2 at Allen Event Center to take a 3-1 series lead over Missouri, and are one win away from moving on to the Western Conference Finals.
The Americans gave up a 2-0 lead in the third period on back to back goals from the Mavericks. Tyler Barnes scored on the power play eleven seconds into the third to cut the lead to 2-1. Ross Johnston tied the score a little over three minutes later with his first of the playoffs and the game was back to even at 2-2.
The momentum of the game changed at the 8:30 mark of the final frame when Spencer Asuchak was given a two minute penalty for boarding, putting Missouri on the power play. Allen tightened up defensively allowing just two shots on the Mavericks man-advantage, setting up for Spencer Asuchak’s game winner at the 13:16 mark of the final frame. Asuchak came out of the box on a mission to break the tie, and after winning a battle in front of the Missouri net poked the game winner past Josh Robinson for his third of the playoffs and third in two games to give the Americans the lead for good.
“We knew we had to turn things around quickly,” said Spencer Asuchak, who was voted the game’s number one star. “Our team never quit, despite giving up a two-goal lead in the third period. We know we’ll get their best effort of the series on Sunday, and we have to be ready to match it.”
Chad Costello extended his point streak to eleven games with an assist on Gary Steffes, third goal of the postseason. Riley Gill was spectacular for Allen stopping 35 of Missouri’s 37 shots on goal.
With Allen Americans release
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