Allen Americans Fall in ECHL Season Opener to Tulsa Oilers
The offense was on full display for both teams on the ice in Oklahoma as the Allen Americans lose a close one to the Tulsa Oilers 3-4.
The Americans were led offensively by forwards Jake McGrew and Samuel Laberge, both of whom played on the fourth line tonight. McGrew had two goals on the night whilst Laberge assisted on all three of the Americans’ goals.
On the Tulsa side, the team was led by left-wing Danny Moynihan with two goals on six shots and forward Adam Pleskach with two assists.
Both goalies struggled in the crease as Tulsa’s Olle Eriksson Ek (related to the Minnesota Wild’s Joel Eriksson Ek) had three goals allowed and 29 saves and Allen’s C.J. Motte had 31 saves with four goals allowed.
The scoring started early with the Americans jumping ahead 2:24 into the game on a McGrew goal that was assisted by Laberge and forward Alex Lavoie. The lead did not last long though as Tulsa scored about 5 minutes later before the two teams spent the rest of the first without much action and left for the first intermission tied 1-1.
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The second period started with a bang, as Tulsa scored two goals within the first three minutes. Allen answered back with their own streak of two goals, with the first coming a minute after the Oilers’ latest goal and another coming 40 seconds after that. That was followed by yet another long scoring drought as the teams left for the second intermission tied 3-3.
The third period had only one notable moment, but it was the game-winning goal for the Oilers, scored by Moynihan with the assist from Plaskach and defenseman Stephan Beauvais 8:51 into the third. The Americans pulled Motte out with less than a minute and a half to go, but Eriksson Ek saved the last shot of the game with 18 seconds left to bring victory to the home team.
Full game score and stats can be found here. The Americans take their first loss of the season and move to 0-1-0-0. The Oilers get their first win and move to 1-0-0-1.
The Americans look forward to their home opener next weekend as the team takes on the Rapid City Rush. Puck drop is at 7:05 on Friday, December 18 with another home match against the Rush taking place the next day at 7:05.