Whiteout Weekend Shapes Up to be Massive Showdown versus Maine

Recap: Dec. 1 and 2 vs. New Hampshire Mountain Kings

The Rochester Jr. Americans split another series last weekend against the New Hampshire Mountain Kings to advance to 14–11–2 on the season despite playing most of the series without either starting goalie. With goalie Florian Wade sidelined for the fourth straight game with an illness, Cole O’Donnell started in the net. However, he exited early with an injury and reserve goalie Adam Glofka filled in for the rest of the contest. Glofka saved 24 of the 26 shots in relief while and forward Thomas Rockey scored his fifth goal of the season, but the Mountain Kings held on to win 3–1.

In game two, another reserve goalie filled in for the Jr. Amerks as Aries Carangi earned the start in the net. The Mountain Kings pounced on the inexperienced goalie — in Carangi’s first career NAHL game — and scored less than a minute into the game. However Carangi ounced back tremendously and did not allow another goal in the final 59 minutes of the game, earning 35 saves. Meanwhile, the offense exploded for a season-best seven goals, including the first hat trick in franchise history by forward Luca Leighton, to cruise to the win.

Preview: Dec. 8 and 9 vs. Maine Nordiques

WHEN: Dec. 8 at 8:15 p.m. | Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Rochester Ice Center | Fairport, NY

WATCH: NAHL.TV

FOLLOW: @JrAmerksNAHL

History:

The Jr. Americans and Nordiques face off for the first time in Rochester after splitting a series in Maine earlier this season. The Jr. Amerks won game one 5–1, but the Nordiques bounced back for a 3–1 win in game two.

Leighton and Disipio find on-ice chemistry

Following the 7–1 rout of the Mountain Kings, forwards Luca Leighton and Matteo Disipio, who both had career nights, will look to stay hot against the Nordiques. Each of Leighton’s three goals were assisted by Disipio, who had four total assists. Both marks — three goals and three assists — are the best performances by a Jr. Americans player this season. Disipio’s four assists also puts him into sixth place in the league for both assists and points with 23 and 32, respectively.

Go big or go home

Over the course of the season, the Jr. Americans are either winning big or losing big, but have not done much by small margins. In wins this year, the Jr. Amerks have a +29 goal differential. In losses, however, they have a -27 goal differential. This has been especially evident as of late: Over the last nine games, the team is outsourcing opponents 18–5 in wins and being outscored 18–8 in losses.

Spreading out the puck

The last time these two teams squared off, the Jr. Americans did a good job of sharing the puck. All six goals in the series were scored by different players: Thomas Rockey, Landon Brownlee, Adam Gionta, Noah Vom Scheidt, Matteo Disipio and Luca Leighton.

Nordiques’ electric offense

Since the series against the Jr. Americans in November, the Nordiques have been downright dominant on the offensive side. Over six games, they have scored 27 goals, including three games with six or more goals scored. 17 different players have contributed at least one point during that stretch, but none more than forward Nils Forselius, who had four goals and six assists.

Whiteout Game Saturday 

The Jr. Amerks will host their whiteout game this Saturday at 7:30pm and it’s shaping up the best one of the biggest home games of the year. The game features free whiteout t-shirts and rally towels to encourage the best atmosphere Rochester Ice Center has ever seen. Please wear white to the game. Tickets are selling fast and the giveaways are limited. Purchase your tickets here.