The Tahoe Knight Monsters took on the Allen Americans for game thirty-three of the season. The Tahoe Knight Monsters are the ECHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights. The Knight Monsters were in third place in the division with a record of 17-11-3. The Allen Americans are the ECHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators. The Americans were in fourth place in the division. The Americans had a record of 14-12-3.
The Tahoe Knight Monsters headed into this matchup searching for their nineteenth win of the season, with momentum on their side as they looked to secure a third straight victory against the Allen Americans. Tahoe seemed motivated to prove they belong among the ECHL’s top teams, using this stretch as another measuring stick against a determined opponent. Meanwhile, Allen entered the game hungry for its fifteenth win of the year and eager to pick up its first victory of the new calendar year. The opening two games of the series had been highly physical, marked by multiple fights and rising tempers, with emotions running especially high on the Allen side. With intensity already established, another hard-fought contest was expected as both teams battled for critical points.
#39 Cameron Whitehead got the start in net for the Tahoe Knight Monsters. It was his seventeenth game played this season for Tahoe. #33 Marco Costantini
got the start in net for the Allen Americans. It was his nineteenth game played this season for Allen.
Seven minutes into the game Brennan Kapcheck of the Tahoe Knight Monsters was called for interference. On the power play, the Allen Americans took the lead. The first goal of the game was scored by #92 Colby McAuley. His goal was assisted by #7 Colton Hargrove and #86 Andre Anania.
Nine minutes into the game, #91 Michael Gildon scored to give the Allen Americans a two-goal lead. His goal was assisted by #67 Hank Crone and #11 Thomas Caron.
The Allen Americans had a 2-0 lead after the first period.
A minute into the second period, Colton Hargrove of Allen was called for high-sticking. Four minutes into the second period, Jake Durflinger of Tahoe was given a ten-minute misconduct for inciting and a penalty for roughing. Seven minutes into the second period, Spencer Asuchak of Allen was called for slashing. With under nine minutes left in the second period, Andre Anania of Allen was called for Interference. With under seven minutes remaining in the second period, Trent Swick of Tahoe was called for tripping. With under thirty seconds left in the second period, Braidan Simmons-Fischer of Allen was called for unsportsmanlike conduct. Neither team scored in the second period. The Americans still had a 2-0 lead going into the third period.
A minute into the third period, the Knight Monsters scored. #76 Trent Swick scored the goal. His goal was assisted by #95 Samuel Mayer and #26 Nate Kallen.
Two minutes into he third period, the Americans scored to regain their two-goal lead. The goal was scored by #9 Danny Katic. His goal was assisted by #7 Colton Hargrove and #92 Colby McAuley.
Four minutes into the third period, #19 Chase Maxwell scored to give the Americans a three-goal lead. His goal was assisted by #14 Kevin Gursoy and #77 Brad Morrison.
Six minutes into the game, Samuel Mayer of Tahoe was called for roughing. Seven minutes into the third period, Casey Bailey of Tahoe was called for holding, Blake Wells of Tahoe was called for slashing, Harrison Blaisdell of Allen was called for slashing and given a ten-minute misconduct, and Michael Gildon of Allen was called for holding. All five of those penalties were on the same play. With seven minutes left in the game, the Americans scored again. The goal was scored by #92 Colby McAuley and assisted by #77 Brad Morrison and #7 Colton Hargrove.
With under three minutes left in the game, Brennan Kapcheck of Tahoe was called for slashing. At the same time. Jake Durflinger of Tahoe was called for a ten-minute misconduct. The final score was 5-1 Allen Americans.
https://echl.com/videos/allen-americans-vs-tahoe-knight-monsters-jan-4-2026
The Allen Americans jumped out to an early advantage, scoring twice in the opening period to set the tone for the night. It took the Tahoe Knight Monsters until the third period to finally find the back of the net, but any momentum from that goal was quickly erased when Allen answered almost immediately. Despite flashes of strong play, Tahoe ultimately beat themselves by allowing more than sixty shots on goal. Coming into the game, it felt like this was Tahoe’s matchup to lose, but the Knight Monsters looked sluggish and spent far too much time trapped in their own zone. That combination proved costly, as they never truly put themselves in a position to succeed. Allen, desperate for a win, played with urgency and was rewarded for it.
Looking at the series as a whole, it never should have been this close. Tahoe dominated the opening game. The second contest was tighter than expected, only swinging in Tahoe’s favor thanks to a late goal. By the third game, Allen was firing shots at will, and the Knight Monsters looked worn down and fatigued. This series presented a golden opportunity for Tahoe to reestablish themselves as one of the division’s top teams. Instead, they’ve cemented their status as a middle-of-the-pack squad. It was a game they truly needed to stay competitive in the standings. Letting it slip away could have lasting consequences as the season moves forward.
The Allen Americans had 38 more shots. The Tahoe Knight Monsters had 25 total shots. The Allen Americans had 63 total shots. The Americans had the better shot percentage. The Allen Americans had two more power plays. The Knight Monsters went 1 for 4 on the power play. The Americans went 1 for 6 on the power play. The Knight Monsters had 36 penalty minutes. The Americans had 22 penalty minutes. #39 Cameron Whitehead saved 58 of 64 shots for a 92% save percentage for Tahoe. #33 Marco Costantini saved 24 of 25 shots for a 96% save percentage for Allen.
The Tahoe Knight Monsters now have a record of 18-12-3 with 39 points. The Knight Monsters are 8th overall in the ECHL. They are in 4th in the ECHL Western Conference. They are in 3rd in the ECHL Western Conference Mountain Division. They are three and a half wins of seven points out of first place in the division. They are in a playoff spot. They are four wins or eight points into a playoff spot.
The Tahoe Knight Monsters are set to face the Utah Grizzlies in their thirty-fourth game of the season. This matchup is the first of three in a row at home. The puck is dropping on Friday, January 9th, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
Zac Electrifly 
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