Unlikely Hero gives lift, sends series to Game 7 tonight

An unlikely hero in Matt Radoslovich who has scored just 6 points (2G 4A) all year long scored a critical goal to send the Americans to a Game 7 tonight against the Laredo Bucks tonight where the winner will face the Odessa Jackalopes for the Southern Conference Final. Allen is looking to be the D/FW's main hope for hockey glory in Texas with the Dallas Stars missing out of the playoffs and the Texas Brahmas getting eliminated from the playoffs earlier this week.

Tonight's Game 7 will be in Allen where a huge crowd is expected to help the Americans to win the team's first ever playoff series and looking to make history as the 1st expansion team to win the Presidents Cup Championship in Central Hockey League History.


From the Central Hockey League Website: www.centralhockeyleague.com

From Allen, Texas: With the home crowd behind them, the Allen Americans beat the Laredo Bucks 3-2 at the Allen Event Center. The best-of-7 Conference Semifinals series is tied at 3-3 with the deciding game tomorrow night at the Allen Event Center.

Neither team could generate a goal in the opening frame, which marked the first time the teams headed to the locker room in a 0-0 deadlock. Laredo had the first 4 shots in the game, but Allen picked up the pace and ended the period with a 17-9 shot advantage.

Forward Nino Musitelli gave Allen a 1-0 lead 4:02 into the middle frame. The Americans, already playing aggressively, cranked up the intensity after the goal. Laredo's Todd Griffith responded with his 8th point of the series to even the score at 1-1. The 2nd period ended with the score knotted at 1-1.

Hungry for a win, the Americans scored first in the 3rd period, too. Defensemen Jordie Benn found forward Matt Radoslovich in front of Pier-Olivier Pelletier at 5:28. Pelletier turned away Radoslovich's initial shot, but the forward pounded the rebound into the net to put Allen up 2-1. Seven minute later, Justin Bowers poked the puck around Pelletier's pad on a breakaway to increase the Americans' lead to two goals. Darryl Smith brought the Bucks within 1 again at 15:38 on the power play, but Allen refused to let them get back in the game.

With 1:03 remaining in the third, captain Jarret Lukin was called for a tripping penalty. Laredo called a timeout and returned with 6 skaters on the ice. Despite the two-man advantage, the Bucks could not get another puck past Americans backstop Chris Whitley. The Final score was 3-2.

Whitley made 22 saves tonight, while Pelletier stopped 40 shots.

Allen will host the can't-miss game of the season tomorrow, April 7 at 7:30 PM. Winner plays the Odessa Jackalopes in the Southern Conference Final which should get underway this weekend.


Series Tied 3-3

@Allen Event Center

Laredo Bucks 2 Allen Americans 3 (0-0, 1-1, 1-2)

0-1 ALN: Nino Musitelli (Graham) 4:02 2nd

1-1 LAR: Todd Griffith (Elliott, Deschatelets) 13:47 2nd

1-2 ALN: Matt Radoslovich (Benn, Gaudet) 5:28 3rd

1-3 ALN: Justin Bowers (Unassisted) 12:45 3rd

2-3 LAR: Darryl Smith (PP) (Deschatelets, Bes) 15:38 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: LAR 24 ALN 43

PP: LAR 1/4 ALN 0/3

PIM: LAR 6 Minutes on 3 Penalties ALN 8 Minutes on 4 Penalties

Goalies: LAR Pier-Olivier Pelletier 40 SVS on 43 Shots ALN Chris Whitley 22 SVS on 24 Shots

ATT: 2691

3rd Star: Pier-Olivier Pelletier (LAR)

2nd Star: Justin Bowers (ALN)

1st Star: Matt Radoslovich (ALN)