Allen Americans Rebound Strong Against Mississippi RiverKings
Mississippi RiverKings goalie Tim Boron makes a save as Allen Americans' captain Jarret Lukin tries to get the rebound in the second period of Friday night's game. Allen won the game, 5-2. (Photo Credit: John O'Neill)
Coming off of a difficult 6-1 road loss in Laredo on Thursday, the road-weary Allen Americans came home to the Allen Event Center on Friday to open a series of back-to-back games against the Mississippi RiverKings. The Americans powered their way to victory thanks to a four-goal outburst in the third period and a four-point night by Justin Bowers, and won the game 5-2.
“We’re running through a tough stretch, so there’s been a little bit of inconsistency,” Americans head coach Dwight Mullins said. “But, you can expect that a little bit this time of year when you have a lot of guys in and out of your lineup on different nights. We’re just trying to hold this thing together and track down (first-place) Odessa as best we can, and also head into the playoffs with some momentum.”
The Americans didn’t waste any time before getting on the scoreboard. Just 44 seconds into the opening period, Justin Bowers broke into the RiverKings zone and sizzled a wrister past Mississippi goaltender Tim Boron.
Allen carried that 1-0 lead into the 1st intermission, and then through a scoreless 2nd period.
In the 3rd period, the puck found it’s way into the net a lot more regularly. A total of six goals were scored in the twenty-minute frame.
37 seconds in, Bruce Graham scored his 27th goal of the season, and gave Allen a 2-0 lead.
It looked like Allen was going to run away with the game when Justin Bowers scored his second goal of the game about three minutes later. Bowers picked up a rebound from a point shot made by Ryan Fairbarn, and stuffed it past Boron to put the Americans up 3-0.
The RiverKings finally got on the board with a little over 12 minutes to play in the game. Ryan Held skated in on Chris Whitley and beat him high to the blocker side, putting Mississippi on the board, 3-1.
The Americans quickly re-established their 3-point lead, though, as Brandon Straub picked up his second goal of the year on a cannon-like shot from the blue line.
Both teams added another goal in the period, with Held scoring his second of the game for the RiverKings, and the Americans captain, Jarret Lukin, putting one in as well.
The newest member of the Americans, Tyler Shelast, appeared to have a breakaway goal in the final half of the 3rd period, but the goal was waived off because it was played with a high stick. They then gave Shelast a penalty shot at center ice, but he was unable to convert it. You can listen to his thoughts about it here: Tyler Shelast Interview 3/5/10.
The Americans and RiverKings will play part two of their showdown Saturday night at the Allen Event Center.