This wasn’t the end the Allen Americans had written.
After winning game two to tie the series at 1-1, the Allen Americans lost games 3 and 4 at home to the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. Facing a 3-1 series deficit, the Americans traveled to Shreveport for a must-win game 5. They weren’t afraid of being down — they’d dug themselves out of a two game hole in the previous series and then rattled off 3 wins in a row to advance. They’d been here before, they knew this dance. However, this time the dance steps changed, and the Mudbugs proved to be overwhelming from the beginning, sending the Americans reeling and looking for an answer.
After surrendering a two goal lead, the Americans put themselves on the board and cut the lead in half in the closing minute of the first period. Mid-way through the second Allen pulled goaltender Chris Whitley after he had allowed 3 goals on 10 shots. Allen tried a late game comeback, scoring with the extra attacker and an empty net to make the score 4-3. Bossier scored an empty-netter to seal the end to their valiant fight back and take the conference title.
It’s amazing to me that the Allen Americans players and fans are disappointed in this ending. I mean, this is only their second season — what they have accomplished in that short time frame is spectacular. They’ve built a fan base that is hard core about their team and “Live in the Red” and they’ve already gone all the way to the conference finals in both seasons. The bar has been set high, and the players themselves expect more out of their season. After the game, both goaltenders took to Twitter to express their feelings:
Thanks to all the @allenamericans fans for the support. Deffinelty a disappointing end to the season… This team will have a cup soon.
–Chris Whitley, #83
Tough pill 2 swallow. Thanks 2 all the @allenamericans fans 4 ur support all year long. Def didn’t think we’d b in this position. #depressed–Scott Campbell, #31
Allen Americans have no doubt the cup is within their reach. They have faith that their boys can do it. What an amazing season, and even if it’s not they way they wanted to end it — the great thing is there’s always next year.