Two-time defending champs get off to quick start

The two-time defending Kelly Cup champion Allen Americans picked up right where they left off picking up a pair of wins over Missouri on opening weekend by a combined score of 10-3.

In their home opener on Saturday, the Americans scored four of the game’s first five goals on their way to a 6-3 win. Kale Kerbashian scored twice while Eric Roy (1g-2a), Chad Costello (1g-1a), Chris Crane (1g-1a) and Tanner Eberle (2a) also notched multiple-point efforts. Riley Gill earned the win in net, turning aside 44 Mavericks’ shots, including 35 over the final two periods. It was Gill’s 114th career ECHL win, moving him into 15th place on the league’s all-time wins list.

Allen completed its opening-weekend sweep with a 4-0 win on Sunday. Gary Steffes scored a pair of goals, while Jamie Murray stopped all 35 Missouri shots to record his first career shutout in just his fifth professional appearance. The Americans killed off all nine of the Mavericks’ power-play opportunities, wrapping up a 14-for-14 performance on the weekend.

The Americans complete their season-opening four-game home stand this week, hosting Atlanta on Wednesday and Friday.