The Allen Americans are the 2012.-13 CHL Champions, having won Game 7 against the Wichita Thunder on 05.11.13. (Photo credit: Chip Crail/CHL Photos Blog)

Allen, Texas–Winning a Championship is a big moment in team history; especially when it’s the first championship in franchise history. Last night in front of a sellout crowd of 6,125 at the Allen Event Center, the Allen Americans came back after being down two goals against the Wichita Thunder to win the CHL championship in overtime. Todd Robinson scored the game winner, closing out the game at 3-2.  Jarret Lukin, Todd Robinson and Trevor Hendrix scored the goals for the Americans while R.G. Fath had both goals for the Wichita Thunder.

The Americans had few power play chances to score the first goal in the first period, but Thunder goaltender Torrie Jung denied all attempts by Allen. At the 13:35 mark, the Americans turned the puck over in their own zone. Jung picked up the loose puck and passed it to R.G. Flath who beat Americans goaltender Aaron Dell for a 1-0 lead. After the Americans let in the first goal, the Thunder continued to steal Allen’s momentum, leaving the Americans practically lifeless in the period. Jim Mckenzie almost tied the game up, but Jung was quicker.

In the second period, the Americans had plenty of chances to tie the game up, but Jung continued to make tremendous saves. At the 6:22 mark, while shorthanded, the Thunder took a 2-0 lead with R.G. Fath landing his second goal of the game. His shot sent the puck over Aaron Dell’s glove side.

Allen’s comeback started in the third period as Jarret Lukin and Trevor Hendrikx scored consecutive goals to force overtime. Jarret Lukin made it 2-1, scoring off a rebounded puck that went past Jung’s glove at the 12:47 mark. With 2:12 left in the game,Trevor Hendrikx tied it up at two off a deflected shot by Kale Kerbashian during a scramble in front of the Thunder net. With all the momentum on the Americans’ side after tying the game up in the third period, Todd Robinson won the game for the Americans at the 17:13 mark in overtime, beating Jung on the right side.

Winning a championship is big; especially if it’s the franchise’s first championship. The Americans won big, and both the team and the fans will be able to reflect back on the season knowing all the hard work led to the ultimate victory; the franchise’s first championship.

GAME NOTES

• Allen forward Brian McMillin was named the 2013 CHL Playoff Most Valuable Player after leading all skaters with 12 goals in the playoffs and finishing with 20 points.  McMillin scored four goals in the finals including the game winner in games two and four.
• Goaltender Aaron Dell finished the playoffs with a 12-7 record with a 2.30 GAA and .916% save percentage

Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals

Allen Americans win the best of 7 series, 4 games to three.

Three Stars:
1. Todd Robinson (ALN), 1 goal, +1
2. Trevor Hendrikx (ALN), 1 goal, +1
3. R.G. Flath (WIC), 2 goals, +1

Goaltenders:
WIC- Torrie Jung (Loss- 34 saves, 3 goals allowed)
ALN- Aaron Dell (Win- 21 saves, 2 goals allowed)

Goals:
WIC: 1-1-0-0=2
ALN: 0-0-2-1=3

Shots:
WIC: 12-4-6-1=23
ALN: 6-16-12-3=37

Power Plays:
WIC: 0 for 1
ALN: 0 for 4

The Allen Americans and Missouri Mavericks form the traditional handshake line after Allen won the 2013 CHL Semifinals playoff series between the two clubs on 04.23.13. (Photo credit: Chip Crail/CHL Photos Blog)

Allen, Texas—Game seven is the most crucial game in the playoffs. It either advances a team to the next round or sends it to the offseason. The Allen Americans knew they had to play a smarter, more defensive game, and have better puck control than they did in game six when they lost 6-2 to the Missouri Mavericks. The team had more energy and momentum, and showed the 4,847 at the Allen Event Center the previous game’s stuggles wouldn’t prevent it from advancing. With the final buzzer, the Americans 7-3 victory opened the door to the finals.  Brian McMillin (two goals), Todd Robinson (two goals), Jason Deitsch, Kale Kerbashian and Jim Mckenzie scored for the Americans. Kellan Tochkin and Dave Pszyenyczny scored for the Mavericks. Aaron Dell rejected 29 shots on goal for the Americans while Mike Clemente made 24 saves on 31 shots for the Mavericks.

Allen had a much better start than shown in game six. The team played with more desperation, resulting in quality chances, like the first goal of the night. The Mavericks couldn’t gain control in their own zone and Allen’s Brian McMillin capitalized on the opportunity, sliding the puch behing Missouri goaltender Mike Clemente at the 18:08 mark. It was McMillin’s sixth goal of the playoffs and his second goal of the playoff series.

Clemente sprawled on his back in an attempt to block a Jason Deitchs rebound, but the puck was in the goal behind him at the 17:07 mark, giving the Americans a 2-0 lead. It was Deitsch’s fourth goal of the playoffs and his third goal of the playoff series. The Mavericks returned the goal, cutting the lead to 2-1 in the second period. Kellan Tochkin snuck the puck past Dell’s blocker side at the 14:23 mark, scoring his eighth goal of the playoffs and his third goal of the playoff series. The Americans had a chance to extend that lead to 3-1 on a two-on-one, but Clemente made a huge save, keeping the Mavericks within striking distance.

The Americans almost went up 3-1 over the Mavericks yet again, but the goal was waved off by the officials who said the puck didn’t cross the goal line. Kale Kerbashian finally extended the lead to 3-1 in favor with 4:32 left in the second period. It was Kerbashian’s fourth goal of the playoffs and his third of the playoff series. But the Mavericks returned the goal again, bringing Missouri within a goal for the second time. Dave Pszyenyczny put the puck past Dell while the Mavericks were on the power play with just two minutes remaining in the period. It was Pszyenyczny’s first goal of the playoffs and of the playoff series. The Americans refused to allow a tight game, answering back on a power play of their own. Todd Robinson deflected a Tyler Ludwig shot for a 4-2 lead at the 1:20 mark. It was Robinson’s second goal of the playoffs and his first goal of the playoff series.

In the third period, Eric Meland turned the puck over in the Mavericks zone and Robinson beat Clemente, giving the Americans a 5-2 lead, and landing Robinson his goal of the goal game at the 14:32 mark. Allen continued to extend the lead when Jim Mckeznzie redirected puck in front of the net from a Tyler Ludwig shot, putting the Americans up 6-2. The Mavericks pulled Clemente early, and Colt King made the gamble count, scoring the team’s third goal of the game with 4:2o left in the period. The Americans sealed the victory with an empty net goal by Brian McMillin with little more than a minute remaining in the game.

After the 7-3 victory and 4-3 series win, the Allen Americans will now face the Wichita Thunder for the 2013 CHL Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup Finals on Tuesday, April 30 at the Allen Event Center.

Central Hockey League Semifinals – Series “E” (best-of-7)
Missouri Mavericks (5) vs. Allen Americans (1) – Allen Wins Series 4-3
Game 1 – Missouri 5 at Allen 1
Game 2 – Missouri 1 at Allen 4
Game 3 – Allen 3 at Missouri 2 – Overtime
Game 4 – Allen 8 at Missouri 4
Game 5 – Allen 2 at Missouri 3 – Overtime
Game 6 – Missouri 6 at Allen 2
Game 7 –Missouri 3 at Allen 7