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Killer Bees stung by Americans’ hefty offensive output
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@acnpapers.com
Christmas is often seen as a time of giving.
The Americans obliged Friday night by giving the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees defense all they could handle in a 7-3 victory in front of 4,333 fans at the Allen Event Center.
While the result was a blowout, the game was tight for much of the first two periods.
It was all Americans from there.
Allen got a goal from Lachlan MacIntosh, off a tremendous feed by Bruce Graham (his second assist of the night), to make it 4-2 with 3:07 remaining in the second and then scored three of the four goals in the final frame to put the game away, 7-3.
As was the case throughout a night in which 12 Americans registered points, Allen spread the wealth in the third period.
The home team got goals from Graham (his third point of the night), Colton Yellow Horn and Jim McKenzie over the final 20 minutes. McKenzie’s goal was assisted by Jason Deitsch, both of whom had two points Friday night, and set the final at 7-3.
While the offense went wild, Allen’s Rejean Beauchemin held up his end.
The Americans netminder improved to 3-2-3 on the season by stopping 29-of-32 shots faced.
Allen wouldn’t be as efficient Tuesday night against the Tulsa Oilers.
The Americans got power-play goals from Jarret Lukin and Layton, as well as an even-strength score from Lukin, but saw a 2-0 lead vanish after the first period. Tulsa scored five of the final six goals over the last 40 minutes, beating Allen goalie Marco Cousineau (10-2-2) five times, to procure the 5-3 victory.
Tuesday was the third meeting between Allen and Tulsa this season with the Oilers taking all three.
The upshot for the Americans (16-6-5, 37 points) is they remain tied with the Wichita Thunder for first place in the Berry Conference.
Allen returns to the ice Friday and Saturday with consecutive 7:05 p.m. home games against Laredo. That represents the start of five straight games between the Americans and Bucks.
Mullins to coach all-stars again
Being an elite team has its perks.
Not only are the Americans tied for most points in the league, but head coach and general manager Dwight Mullins will get to lead the CHL All-Stars once more when they take on the host Arizona Sundogs at the 2012 CHL All-Star Game, which is Jan. 11, 2012, at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley.
Mullins procured the spot because his team had the best winning percentage prior to the Christmas break, edging out Wichita Thunder head coach Kevin McClelland.
Then again, that’s not surprising considering Mullins went into the break with the highest career winning percentage in CHL history (.715). The Allen coach had success in this same spot a year ago as the all-stars defeated the Rapid City Rush, 11-6.
Leading the Sundogs will be head coach Marco Pietroniro, who is in his sixth season and led Arizona to the CHL Championship in 2008.
Daniels selected to broadcast in Arizona
Those tuning in to the 2012 All-Star Game on CHL-TV will hear a familiar voice as Allen’s Tommy Daniels has been picked for the game’s broadcast team.
“It’s a great honor to be selected as part of the All-Star Game broadcast team in Arizona,” Daniels said. “I love my job and feel fortunate to be a part of such a great organization like the Americans.
“And having coach Mullins on the bench makes this extra special.”
Daniels has been the Americans’ radio and television broadcaster since the team’s inception in 2009-10. Before that, the Buffalo, N.Y. native was the play-by-play voice of the Texas Tornado in 2007-08. Daniels is also well known to listeners in the Metroplex for his work at 1310 “The Ticket,” Fox Sports Radio 1190 and KDGE “The Edge.”
Graham tabbed as Player of the Week
While Mullins and Daniels are headed to the CHL All-Star Game, it is looking more and more likely Graham will join them. Already a two-time all-star, the Americans forward added to this season’s resume Monday when he was named Oakley CHL Player of the Week.
Graham, the first Allen skater to win the award this season, had a productive week.
Despite his team playing only two games, the Moncton, British Columbia native, registered four points off a pair of goals and assists while sporting a plus/minus rating of +4. But that’s what Graham has been doing all year as the 6-foot-6, 235-pounder is third in the league with 36 points, tied for fourth in goals with 14 and tied for 14th in the CHL with a +10.
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