This week’s weekly report is brief, and I’m leaving out the last week’s transactions, as the playoff roster is included for your review.

The Steelheads finished their regular season schedule this past weekend, dropping a pair of games to the Bakersfield Condors, 2-1 in both games.  But, it was pretty obvious that the Steelies had their focus on the post-season, so those losses may not have been completely unexpected.  I think we’ll see the same dominant Steelheads team that has ruled the ECHL this season when they get underway in the playoffs.

Idaho’s final regular season record was 48-17-2-5, the best in the ECHL.  Their top record gives them a bye through the first round, and they will face the winner of the first-round playoff series between the Las Vegas Wranglers and the Utah Grizzlies in the second round.

This week, the Steelheads announced their playoff roster.  It looks like this:

• Forwards: Tyler Spurgeon*, Kevin DeVergilio*, Mathieu Tousignant*, John Scott Dickson*, Mark McCutcheon, Marty Flichel, Brandan Kushniruk, Mark Derlago, John Swanson, Evan Barlow, Michael Neal, Adam Huxley, Matt McKnight.
• Defensemen: Dustin Friesen*, Cody Lampl, Brendan Milnamow, Guillaume Monast, Aaron Dawson, Steve Oleksy, Brett Blatchford, Weston Tardy.
• Goaltenders: Richard Bachman*, Rejean Beauchemin.

* – On American Hockey League roster as of 4/5

Idaho has released forwards Geoff Irwin, Kael Mouillierat, and Zack Torquato along with defenseman Ryan Funk from its roster.

• First Postseason Game – March 26, 2010 vs. Laredo Bucks
• First Postseason Save – 17:35 of 1st Period, Chris Whitley against Laredo F Neil Trimm
• First Postseason Shot – 18:07 of 1st Period, Liam Huculak on Laredo G Pier-Olivier Pelletier
• First Postseason Goal – 15:26 of 1st Period, Liam Huculak on Laredo G Pier-Olivier Pelletier (Assists: Matt Radoslovich, Christian Gaudet)
• First Postseason Penalty – 8:14 of 1st Period, Liam Huculak (2:00 minor for High Sticking)

All of the firsts above are from that first game on Friday night.  Unfortunately, the Americans weren’t able to add “First Postseason Victory” to that list, as the Bucks came from behind in the third period, scoring a pair of goals to take the win in the opening match.

The Americans were able to pick up that record on Saturday night, though.  Goaltender Chris Whitley battled back from from a performance he wasn’t happy with on Friday night, making 30 saves.  Nino Musitelli scored a pair of goals and added an assist, and the Americans held on for a 3-2 win to even the games at one apiece.

The series shifted to Laredo on Tuesday night, and the Bucks were hoping to feed off of the energy of an excited home crowd, and do something they haven’t done since 2008:  win a playoff game at home.  The Americans dashed those hopes, though, as Justin Bowers had a three point night (2G, 1A) and Whitley made 24 saves on 25 shots, and Allen won the game, 4-1.  The game also saw another playoff first for the Americans – the first postseason fight.  Mike Salekin dropped mitts against Laredo forward Todd Griffith about mid-way through the 2nd period.

The Americans now hold a 2-1 series edge entering Thursday night’s Game 4 in Laredo.  Game 5 will be played on Saturday, and Games 6 and 7 will move back to Allen on April 6th and 7th, if they are needed.

Past Week’s Transactions:

None.

To start the series on Wednesday, the Steelheads came out blasting.  On the strength of a hat trick by John Swanson and a 36-save, shutout performance in net by Rejean Beauchemin, Idaho cruised to a 5-0 victory.

Apparently the Salmon Kings took good notes on Wednesday, though, as they were able to keep the Steelheads off the scoreboard on Friday.  The Salmon Kings mustered just a lone goal in a 28-save night for Stars prospect Richard Bachman, but it was enough to give them the win, as Idaho was unable to slip anything past Victoria netminder Glenn Fisher.

The two teams wrapped up their regular season series on Saturday night.  Fisher was unable to duplicate his success from the previous night between the pipes for Victoria, as Idaho lit the lamp five times.  Bachman was in net once again for the Steelies, and again allowed just one goal, recording 23 saves.  The Steelheads walked away with a 5-1 win, and a dominant season record of 8-3-0 against the Salmon Kings.  With an assist on Swanson’s goal that night, Mark Derlago recorded his 88th point of the season.  The mark sets an Idaho record for most points by a Steelheads player in the modern ECHL era (since the 2003-04 season).

Although they lost the game on Friday, an overtime loss by Kalamazoo to Wheeling clinched the Brabham Cup for the Steelheads. The Brabham Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the ECHL team that finishes with the most points in the regular season. The recipient is guaranteed home-ice advantage throughout its participation in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

The Steelheads will wrap up the regular season this week on a 4-game road trip.  After heading up to Alaska for two games against the Aces on Tuesday and Wednesday, they will finish up in Bakersfield against the Condors on Friday and Saturday.  The next home games for Idaho will be in the second-round of the playoffs, on April 16th and 17th.

Last Week’s Transactions:

3/23/10 Brett Blatchford, F – signed contract
3/23/10 Ashton Rome, F – returned from Hershey (AHL)
3/25/10 Dustin Friesen, D – loaned to Bridgeport (AHL)
3/25/10 Ashton Rome, F – loaned to Hershey (AHL)
3/25/10 Tyler Spurgeon, F – loaned to Abbottsford (AHL)
3/25/10 Michael Neal, F – activated off IR
3/25/10 Matt McKnight, F – placed on the 3-day IR
3/26/10 Ryan Funk, D – signed amateur tryout agreement
3/26/10 Doug Melvin, G – added as emergency backup goaltender
3/27/10 Doug Melvin, G – released as emergency backup goaltender
3/29/10 Adam Huxley, F – transferred to the 7-day IR

On Saturday night, Texas took on the Rockford IceHogs at the Rockford MetroCentre.  Stars goaltender Brent Krahn sparkled in his shutout of the Hogs, turning away 29 shots in his team’s 2-0 win.  Mathieu Beaudoin and Perttu Lindgren each had a goal, and defenseman Andrew Hutchinson got a pair of helpers, assisting on each of them.

The Stars then made the quick trip on to Peoria to play the Rivermen on Sunday afternoon.  Texas center Aaron Gagnon scored the second hat trick in team history, as the team went on to win 4-2.  Matt Climie stopped 26 of 28 shots for the Stars, and Perttu Lindgren also had a goal in the game.

On Tuesday, the Stars faced the Admirals at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee.  The Admirals hammered Texas offensively in the first period.  Milwaukee had 20 shots in the opening frame, and slipped three of them past Stars goalie Brent Krahn.  It was all the offense they’d need in the game, as they held off a late Texas rally to pull out the victory, 3-2.  Perttu Lindgren extended his goal-scoring streak to three games with a goal, and defenseman Dan Jancevski also scored in the defeat.

The Stars wrap up their road trip this upcoming week, with two games in Chicago tonight and Sunday sandwiching a Saturday night game in Grand Rapids this weekend.  Then, Texas returns to Milwaukee on Wednesday.  There’s a good chance that, between pulling points out of the four games in the coming week, and getting points from other teams losing, that the Stars could lock up a playoff spot in the coming week.

In transactional news, the Dallas Stars signed Texas’ centerman Mathieu Tousignant to an entry-level contract. The St. Etienne-de-Lauzon, Quebec native, has three goals and three assists in 37 games this season with Texas.  The T-Stars also signed college forward Cody Chupp to an ATO contract.  As a senior, Chupp tied for the Ferris State University team lead with 21 assists and placed third on the team in scoring with 30 points.

Past Week’s Transactions:

3/26/10 Cody Chupp, F – signed to ATO.

Allen hosted their fellow “expandees”, the Missouri Mavericks on St. Patrick’s Day.  The Americans wore special jerseys for the game, and afterwards auctioned off the sweaters to fans.  Proceeds raised went to benefit the Ryan Christian Love Fund.  Ryan Christian, the daughter of Missouri Maverick Jeff Christian, is receiving treatment for adrenocortical cancer.  In the game, the Americans started a little rocky but finished strong, upending the Mavs 5-2 in front of the home crowd.  Nino Musitelli led the Americans’ offensive punch with a four points (2G, 2A), but his entire line was potent.  Musitelli, Bruce Graham and Colton Yellow Horn combined for eight points on the evening.

The Americans stumbled a bit on Friday, as they faced a Corpus Christi team that was hungry for a post-season spot.  The IceRays scored five times on Allen, and frustrated the Americans offense by keeping them to the outside and preventing quality scoring chances.  Allen shooters posted only 15 shots on net for the night.  Musitelli led Allen players with a goal and an assist in the game.

On Saturday, Allen wrapped up their regular season schedule, hosting the Amarillo Gorillas.  Musitelli continued his offensive dominance, posting a pair of goals and an assist, giving him nine points for the week.  Defenseman Tyler Wooddisse also had an assist and two goals, including the eventual game-winner.

Nino Musitelli’s dominant performance on the week (nine points in three games) led to the league naming him Player of the Week.  Musitelli joined linemate Bruce Graham as the only Americans to have won the honor.

Past Week’s Transactions:

3/19/10 Jordie Benn, D – activated from IR.
3/20/10 Brandon Straub, D – recalled by Houston (AHL).
3/21/10 Justin Bowers, C – activated from IR.
3/21/10 Maxim Chamberland, F – declared an unrestricted free agent.
3/21/10 Alexandre Vincent, G – activated from IR.
3/21/10 Jarret Lukin, C – activated from IR.

Dallas Stars prospect Michael Neal was placed on the 3-day injured reserve on Tuesday, but then had that time extended today, as he was put on the 7-day IR.

In other transactional news, Idaho added a pair of collegiate players on Friday.  Geoff Irwin and Kael Mouillierat, both from Minnesota State-Mankato, joined the Steelheads in Ontario, CA.  Mouillierat immediately contributed to his team’s offense, notching a goal in his first professional game on Friday.

Idaho began their week on Tuesday with a 7-5 win over the Grizzlies in Utah.  The victory secured a first-round bye for the Steelheads in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.  Team scoring leader Mark Derlago led the Steelies’ offense with four points (1G, 3A), and goaltender Richard Bachman made 25 saves on 30 shots to get the win.

The two teams met again the next night, on St. Patrick’s Day, and the Steelheads again picked up with win.  Bachman was in net once again, this time stopping 20 pucks out of 24 total shot.  Assistant Captain Ashton Rome was a plus-4 on the night, with a goal and two assists.

Bachman’s third start in four nights – the series-opener against the Reign in Ontario – was not a charm for him, though.  The young netminder surrendered six goals on 23 shots in a 7-4 loss to the Reign.  The offense kept Idaho in the game until late, when Bachman was pulled for the extra attacker.  But, the strategy backfired, as the Reign scored on the open net with 32 seconds left in the game.

The Steelheads swapped goalies for Saturday night’s game, but Rejean Beauchemin was unable to backstop his team to a win.  Defenseman Dustin Friesen had the lone goal for Idaho, and Beauchemin stopped all but two of 24 shots, but it was not enough in the end, as the Reign won, 2-1.

On Sunday, Beauchemin found the elusive win he’d been searching for all weekend in Ontario.  The Winnipeg, Manitoba native faced 22 shots on the night, stopping 17, and got help from the Steelheads offense.  Matt McKnight posted a pair of goals, while Derlago led the team in scoring once again with three points (1G, 2A)

Idaho is headed back home now, and will face the Victoria Salmon Kings at the Qwest Arena on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.  The Steelheads just finished a sweep of Victoria in British Columbia, as they faced the Salmon Kings from March 10-13.

Last Week’s Transactions:

3/16/10 Michael Neal, F – placed on the 3-day IR
3/17/10 Weston Tardy, D – transferred to the 21-day IR
3/18/10 Doug Melvin, G – released as emergency backup goaltender
3/18/10 Ashton Rome, F – loaned to Hershey (AHL)
3/19/10 Geoff Irwin, F – signed contract
3/19/10 Kael Mouillierat, F – signed contract
3/21/10 Adam Huxley, F – placed on the 3-day IR
3/22/10 Michael Neal, F – transferred to the 7-day IR

Texas split last weekend’s back-to-back set with the San Antonio Rampage, one game apiece.  In Friday night’s game, Stars goalie Matt Climie notched 29 saves, but it wasn’t enough as Aaron Gagnon scored Texas’ lone goal, and the team fell 2-1 t San Antonio.  On Saturday, the offense bounced back, and the T-Stars posted five goals on their South Texas rivals. Francis Wathier had two goals and an assist, and Gagnon got on the scoresheet again, this time with the eventual game-winning goal, as Texas won 5-4.

Last night, the Stars hosted the Milwaukee Admirals in Cedar Park.  Texas’ powerplay was instrumental, as they scored three goals with the advantage, and went on to win the game, 4-3.  Stars netminder Brent Krahn got the nod between the pipes, and stopped 26 of 29 on the night.

Texas will begin a 14-day and seven-game road trip in Rockford this Saturday. The Stars will then make the short jump to Peoria for an afternoon game against the Rivermen on Sunday.

Texas added an amateur player to their roster on Tuesday, signing defenseman Tyler Ludwig (twin brother of T-Stars defenseman Trevor Ludwig) to an ATO contract.  Tyler finished a four-year career at Western Michigan University this year, where he was a captain on the squad.

The Stars also announced their Clear List this week – the list of players who are eligible to play in the postseason for Texas. The Stars Clear Day Roster consists of 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders:

Goaltenders: Matt Climie, Brent Krahn
Defensemen: Maxime Fortunus, Ethan Graham, Andrew Hutchinson, Dan Jancevski, Trevor Ludwig, Garrett Stafford, Matt Stephenson.
Forwards: Mathieu Beaudoin, Jamie Benn (recalled), Aaron Gagnon, Sergei Korostin, Perttu Lindgren, Scott McCulloch, Travis Morin, Warren Peters, Greg Rallo, Raymond Sawada, Colton Sceviour, Francis Wathier, Landon Wilson.
Players in Residence but not on the Clear Day list: Luke Gazdic, Mathieu Tousignant.

Past Week’s Transactions:

3/15/10 Tyler Shelast, F – Reassigned by Dallas (NHL) from Allen (CHL)
3/16/10 Tyler Ludwig, D – signed ATO contract.

The Americans travelled across town to face their local rivals, the Texas Brahmas, to start their week on Wednesday.  The physical game went deep into overtime, and was decided by a shootout.  Colton Yellow Horn ended up with the game-winning shot in the shootout round.

Next, the team was off to South Dakota for a back-to-back, two-game set against the Northern Conference’s best team, the Rapid City Rush.  The Americans edged out the Rush in the first game, 5-4.  Once again, the game needed more time than regulation provided, but this time it was decided before the shootout.  Tyler Wooddisse picks up his second goal of the night to give him a three-point night, and his Americans the victory.

The next night, though, the Rush got the upper hand.  Allen led the game, 4-3, late in the third period, but the Rush mounted a late offensive surge.  Rapid City scored twice in the span of 1:14 to turn the tables on Allen, and eventually skate off with a 5-4 win of their own.

This week, the Americans are trying to focus on staying healthy and preparing for next week’s playoffs.  Their first two playoff dates will be March 26th and 27th, and will be played at the Allen Event Center.  Entering play on Wednesday, their playoff matchup was still unknown, but it is becoming clearer every day.  The Laredo Bucks need just one point in their last three games in order to secure the #3 spot in the South.  Allen’s hopes of capturing the #1 seed ended on Saturday when they lost to Rapid City, and the Odessa Jackalopes got a point in their game against the Missouri Mavericks.

Today the Americans announced their playoff slogan at their St. Patrick’s Day game against the Mavericks.  Allen will be hoping to get fans chanting “Dread the Red” – a play on their primary team color and their “Don’t Stop Living in the Red” goal song slogan.  The Americans are hosting a rally for the playoffs that will be held next week, but details are still being finalized.  Keep checking here for more information as it’s announced.

Past Week’s Transactions:

3/12/10 Justin Bowers, F – Placed on 14-day IR.
3/12/10 Liam Huculak, F – Activated from IR.
3/15/10 Tyler Shelast, F – Recalled by Texas (AHL).
3/17/10 Maxim Chamberland, F – signed contract.

In addition to sewing up their post-season spot, Idaho has been on a bit of a tear.  The team has won eight of their last nine games, and has rattled off five consecutive wins, including last week’s three-game sweep of the Salmon Kings in Victoria.

The Steelheads opened the series last Wednesday with a 5-2 victory.  Team scoring leader Mark Derlago keyed the win on offense with a hat trick.  Goaltender Rejean Beauchemin settled down after allowing two goals in the opening period, and had 19 saves in the game while keeping Victoria off the scoreboard in the 2nd and 3rd periods.

Stars’ prospect Richard Bachman played in the 7-1 trouncing the Steelies gave the Salmon Kings on Friday night, stopping 22 of 23 shots.  Idaho once again had a hat trick, this time by Mark McCutcheon.  The game’s top star was given to Steelhead Tyler Spurgeon, who had a pair of goals and a helper.

In other Stars’ prospect news for the Victora series, Michael Neal played in the opening game and was a minus 1.  He was not in the lineup for the second and third games.  Defenseman Guillaume Monast played in all three games, and finished the series with an assist and a plus 5 rating.

Last Week’s Transactions:

3/8/10 Cody Lampl, D – placed on the 21-day IR
3/15/10 Ashton Rome, F – activated off IR
3/16/10 Doug Melvin, G – added as emergency backup goaltender

Every Wednesday, Big D Hockey will present a report on the Allen Americans.  This will include any relevant news or noteworthy stats from the last week’s games, as well as a look at the upcoming games and then the team itself.  Through these reports, we hope to offer you an insider’s look at the Dallas Stars’ CHL affiliate and some of the players who may one day play in Big D.

Looking back over the last week of games, we can see the Allen Americans did their job in making sure they had at least the #2 slot in the Southern Conference for the playoffs.

The weekend started rough for the Americans; On Tuesday they began their second straight stretch of four games in five days.  The first two games were on the road; Allen picked up a solid 3-2 win in Bossier-Shreveport on Tuesday.  David McKee made his first start in net for the Americans (and his first CHL start as well), and picked up his first win.  The team then travelled to Laredo to play the Bucks on Thursday.  McKee made 40 saves for Allen, but he faced an onslaught of shots from the hungry Bucks, who picked up their first win against the Americans, 6-1.

The Americans picked up 3 more points over the weekend, with a 5-2 win on Friday and a 3-2 overtime loss on Saturday; both games were against the Mississippi RiverKings.  By taking a point in their final game of the weekend, Allen assured that they will finish no lower than 2nd in the Southern Conference this season.

But, as mentioned many times in game stories and video clips, Allen Americans head coach Dwight Mullins isn’t satisfied with that.  After Saturday’s game, he looked frustrated and upset about the opportunity for additional points that was passed up.  But now, all they can do is look ahead.  And, what’s ahead is a very important three-game road trip, including a game tonight against the Texas Brahmas and then two games this weekend in South Dakota against the Rapid City Rush.  The Americans then head back to the AEC to finish up the regular season with three more games.

Headed into action on Wednesday, the Americans trailed Odessa in the standings by 9 points.  And, with only six games left in the regular season, they will need to pretty much win their schedule outright in order to have a chance at the top spot.  The Jackalopes also have six games remaining – two against Missouri, two against Laredo, one in Amarillo and one at home against Rapid City.  The Jacks just need a win and a tie in that stretch in order to ice the top spot.

But, as far as first-round matchups go, that doesn’t really matter much.  The Americans’ opponent will most likely be either Laredo or Texas.  And depending on the day you check the standings, the opponent Allen faces flip-flops.  The Bucks and Brahmas will be duking it out, and we won’t have a real clear picture of the final playoff scenario for another week and a half.

Past Week’s Transactions:

3/2/10 Maxim Chamberland, F – signed contract.
3/4/10 Chris Whitley, G – returned by Lake Erie (AHL).
3/5/10 Tyler Shelast, F – assigned by Dallas (NHL) from Texas (AHL).
3/8/10 Maxim Chamberland, F – placed on waivers.
3/8/10 Mick Berge, F – placed on waivers.
3/8/10 George Bradley, D – signed contract.