Allen Americans Defeat Denver
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Allen, Texas — The Allen Americans faced off against the Denver Cutthroats at the Allen Event Center for their last regular season home game. The Americans scored five unanswered goals to propel them to a 6-1 win over Denver.
Jamie Schaafsma opened up the scoring for the game, when he lit the lamp, shorthanded and unassisted at the 6:23 mark of the period. Brian McMillin added to Allen’s lead at the 16:53 mark of the frame. The goal, his 12th of the season, was assisted by Mike Berube and Spencer Asuchak.
Denver cut Allen’s lead to 2-1 at the 17:38 mark of the frame when Jean-Philipp Chabot fired a shot past American goalie Bryan Pitton. The goal, his 21st of the season, was assisted by Garett Bembridge and Steve Kaunisto. The Americans headed into the first intermission with a 2-1 lead over the Cutthroats and held a 15-7 edge on shots.
Allen opened up the scoring in the second period by scoring three unanswered goals. Anthony Maiani found the back of the net 1:57 seconds into the period, assisted by Jonathan Lessard and Brian McMillin. Jonathan Lessard lit the lamp for the 27th time this season at the 13:48 mark of the frame, assisted by Brian McMillin and Steven Tarasuk. Forward Brian McMillin found the back of the net for the second time during the game to give Allen a 5-1. The goal was assisted by
Tyler Ludwig and Greger Hanson. Allen continued to lead in shots with 18 to Denver’s 9.
The third period proved to be a physical one with 96 penalty minutes handed out, but Allen added to their lead once more when Jonathan Lessard notched his second of the night. The power play goal, giving Allen the 6-1 win, was assisted by Anthony Maiani and Jamie Schaafsma.
“It’s not the fact that we won the game but the way the team came together to get it done,” said Allen Americans Associate Coach Richard Matvichuk. “Wins like tonight go a long way in the room.”
With the win, the Americans improve to 39-22-5 on the season and Denver falls to 37-17-11. The Americans will play in the first round of the playoffs next week, with games scheduled for Wednesday at 7:05 and Thursday 6:05.
The Americans playoff opponent is yet to be determined. If Tulsa beats Denver tomorrow, Allen will host Tulsa on Wednesday night. If Tulsa loses, and Brampton beats Rapid City, then Allen will host Brampton on Wednesday. If Tulsa and Brampton both lose, Allen will play Tulsa in round 1.
