Article Written By Aidan Charde
Recap: Oct. 25 and 26 vs. Danbury Hat Tricks
The Rochester Jr. Americans bounced back in a huge way last weekend with a dominant sweep of the Danbury Hat Tricks. After a slow start in both contests, the Jr. Amerks ended the series with a combined score of 11–3 to jump up to second place in the East Division.
Forward Adam Gionta got things started quickly in the first game, scoring just 90 seconds in on a powerplay, but the game slowed down from there. The frame was messy, with a few dustups and near fights that came to a head near the end of the period. With four minutes left, both teams sent someone to the box, though the Amerks had a four minute penalty to the Hat Tricks’ two. One minute later, a big hit led to a Rochester player being sent off the ice and the home team getting another penalty, this time a five minute major.
The Jr. Amerks played well on the extended penalty kill, but being down to 4-on-3 proved too much and Danbury evened the game at one. The man-down disadvantage resumed in the second period, but the Jr. Amerks were able to eliminate the threat and held the Hat Tricks scoreless through the remaining time.
After being out-shot 15–6 in the first frame, Rochester never looked back, holding the advantage 31–15 the rest of the way. A three-goal second period put the game in the bag, highlighted by defenseman Dexter Kichline’s first goal of the season, before the team iced the game with two more goals in the third.
Forward Owen King led the way for the team, scoring two goals and an assist, while goalie Danick Leroux continued his hot streak, stopping 29 of the 30 shots he faced.
In game two, Rochester came out as hot as ever, putting the stress on Danbury’s John Reburn, who was starting his first career game in the net. In just the first period, Reburn had to face 22 shots, managing to stop all but two of them. Meanwhile, the Hat Tricks only managed eight shots on Rochester goalie Florian Wade, who was perfect in the frame.
As well as Wade played, the save of the night came from forward Calle Karlsson. After Wade made a diving play to knock the puck away, Danbury pushed the puck back through his legs into a wide-open net, but Karlsson snatched the puck away as it hit the line to keep the Hat Tricks off the board.
Danbury did manage to get within one goal during the second period, but Rochester added another before the period ended and tallied two more within the first three minutes of the final frame.
It was the first sweep for the Jr. Amerks in over a month, but they now travel to Philadelphia to face the Rebels for the first time this season.
Preview: Nov. 1 and 2 vs. Philadelphia Rebels
WHEN: Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. | Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hollydell Ice Arena | Sewell, NJ
WATCH: NAHL.tv
FOLLOW: @JrAmerksNAHL
History
These two teams had some strange matchups last season. The teams split each of the first two series, including the season-opener last year. In the middle of the hottest stretch in the NAHL last year, Rochester swept the Rebels, but Philadelphia ended that same hot streak a month later with a sweep of their own. Currently, Rochester owns a 4–3–1 advantage.
Jr. Amerks survive the Saturday scaries
Through the first two months of the season, Rochester has been borderline unbeatable on Fridays, but they can hardly buy a win on Saturdays. This week, the team managed their first win on the second day of a series since beating the New Hampshire Mountain Kings in September. It was also their first points on a Saturday since the overtime loss to Danbury on Oct. 5.
Defensemen rack up the points
Coming into this series, the Jr. Amerks had two goals from defensemen on the season. In the two games against Danbury, the Jr. Amerks had three defensemen score goals to go along with a pair of assists. Dexter Kichline, Liam Chapman and Chance Uzzell all found the back of the net during the series, with Chapman and Uzzell each adding an assist.
Wade rebounds from tough stretch
Goalie Florian Wade had a series to remember after a tough set of three games. He allowed 12 goals in his three previous appearances, but held Danbury to just two last weekend. It was also his first game with a save percentage over 90% since Sept. 27 against Fairbanks.
Watch out for Panchisin
For the second straight week, the Jr. Amerks will be facing one of the top scorers in the league. This weekend, Philadelphia forward Charles Panchisin is the man to watch, racking up 18 points so far, tied for sixth best in the NAHL. He was one of their best players last year too, putting up 21 goals and 35 assists en route to a 56-point season.
