Here's Lukin At You, Kid!

Since 2009 many a trip has been taken to the great city of Allen for Indoor football, rock concerts, and some really memorable games of hockey in the CHL vein.

A rock solid product no matter who adorned the red or who is coaching it.

Always a grand time for the close to 4,000 who attend nightly and those in the media who get to cover the roster.

Much can and will happen over the course of a season. You start before Halloween and then navigate your way through the holidays into a new year.

If you're really successful you play until you honor Mom on her day in May. Roughly an 8-9 month season for a good team.

New ownership took place last June for the Allen Americans with ex-Stars Craig Ludwig, Mike Modano, Ediie Balfour, and Richard Matvichuk. Also a new coach in Steve Martinson. The mantra among the inner group has been 'Championship or Bust!' Believe it!

The Allen Americans of 2012-2013 have been as good as advertised. Even with the loss of players to the NHL and the Houston Aeros the overall product has been better than advertised with an occasional hiccup along the way.

Saturday night there was a huge hiccup in Richland Hills with a 6-1 loss to the 1st place Ft. Worth Brahmas. Three points ahead of the Americans. The start of a 4 day stretch and three games for both teams there and twice in Allen.

A 6-1 loss was bad enough. Now try to imagine a slew of fights that total over 200 minutes. That really happened here in Texas! It got a little hairy/scary as the fisticuffs carried over into the stands. Alot of history with the Brahmas and Allen.

So how would things pan out in Allen yesterday? Would Ft. Worth start to pull away from their heavily favored rival? Will Sy Nutkevich and Brad Fogal continue to reek havoc on the brothers Ludwig and company? Do the Americans now start assessing their talent?

In a word, NO!

Back on New Years Eve these eyes were in the booth with Tommy Daniels when the Americans and Aaron Dell pitched a complete game shutout over the Quad City Mallards. 26 for 26 in defending the goal! Not one blemish on that night and I called it 'their best, most complete win of the season bar none!' At the time it was.

Until Sunday.

Fresh from watching a clinic conducted by Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki down the road and a 4 point Laker win Allen served notice that one bad game with a 4 goal 3rd period allowed Saturday would not carry over.

Again Aaron Dell was in between the pipes to deal with the Brahmas of Ft. Worth. Who better to get the opposition on their heels than to allow a goal by your ex-teammate. Enter Jason Deitch with an assist from Drew Daniels.

Anthony Maiani would get his 50th point when connecting for a goal with under a minute left in the 1st period. Assisted by Jarret Lukin and Tyler Ludwig as Allen would not look back!

A capacity crowd of 3,818 were into the action and with the Red in the lead, the cowbells were kept silent. Jamie Schaafsma fed Chris Doyle with a second period goal for a 3-0 lead.

Aaron Dell was playing incredibly flawless as most of the ice action hovered around the area of Kristopher Westblom. 

Trevor Ludwig smacked a goal 52 seconds into period three with a Kale Kerbashian feed for a 4-0 lead and the subsequent final score.

Just like on New Years Eve Aaron Dell was a perfect 26 for 26 stopping shot from the Ft. Worth end. Only 40 minutes in penalties yesterday compared to 200 48 hours ago.

The rubber game, if you will, shall happen Tuesday night at the Allen Events Center at 7:05 pm. Get your tickets at 972-912-1000 and tell them I sent you.

I said this back on New Years Day. I say it again. One of the best performances these eyes have seen this season. With Aaron Dell at the helm no surprise...

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will