Article Written by Aidan Charde
Recap: NAHL Showcase on Sept. 25–27
It was a difficult slate of games for the Rochester Jr. Americans at the NAHL Showcase last week, but they came away with two points and some silver linings despite the 0-1-2 record.
Game one was against the St. Cloud Norsemen, who entered the contest as one of the better offenses in the short season so far. While Rochester goalie Florian Wade played admirably for much of the contest, he allowed two goals on just four shots in the second frame to give St. Cloud a 2–0 lead heading into the third. The Jr. Amerks did not go quietly, though, and were able to score three straight to take a late lead in the final frame, but with one minute left, the Norsemen were able to tie it up once again. St Cloud emerged victorious after just 30 seconds in overtime to take the win.
The second game was perhaps closer than it should have been as Rochester faced off with the expansion Watertown Shamrocks. It was a back-and-forth affair that did not see either team have more than a one-goal lead. Watertown struck first, but Rochester forward Calle Karlsson tied the game up as the first period ended. Watertown scored again to open the second frame, but forwards Wyatt Stefan and Landon Brownlee found the back of the net less than one minute apart from each other to give the Jr. Amerks their first lead of the game.
The Shamrocks scored two more times and held the lead until the final two minutes when forward Jaden Dyke tied the game at four apiece. But when neither team could score in overtime, it went to a shootout where the Shamrocks came out on top.
Game three was the first regulation loss of the season for Rochester as they fell to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in a low-scoring affair. Most of the action happened within one game minute, as an Ice Dogs player was ejected at the 4:02 mark, Fairbanks scored a shorthanded goal, and Rochester equalized all before five minutes had passed in the game. It was then a drought for both teams, finally broken up by the Ice Dogs with 30 seconds left, scoring the game-winner. Rochester did earn one powerplay goal, but also squandered seven opportunities, the most of the season so far.
The Jr. Amerks now return to the east coast, heading to Danbury for a series with the Hat Tricks before coming home for a pair of games with the Maryland Black Bears.
Preview: Oct. 4 and 5 vs. Danbury Hat Tricks
WHEN: Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. | Oct. 5 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Danbury Ice Arena | Danbury, CT
WATCH: NAHL.tv
FOLLOW: @JrAmerksNAHL
History
After taking a 2–1 loss to the Danbury Hat Tricks in their first meeting last year, the Rochester Jr. Americans went on to decimate Danbury in their final three meetings by a combined 19–1 margin. The lone defeat on Dec. 15 last year was the catalyst to Rochester’s turnaround, as they then took points in 19 of the next 20 contests.
Stefan sets acquisition mark
The Jr. Amerks have made a few trades in their short existence, but in just his third game, forward Wyatt Stefan set the mark for the most goals by a midseason Jr. Amerks trade acquisition with two. He has a ways to go before he surpasses defenseman Liam Varmecky’s points total of 12, but with a full season to go, the signs look good so far. Interestingly, both Stefan and Varmecky were acquired from division rival Danbury Hat Tricks, who the team will face this week.
Gibbons shattering franchise record
Forward Andrew Gibbons started off his time with Rochester scoring six goals in five games, at least one in each of his first five. That is long enough to set the franchise record for consecutive games with a goal (and games with a point) to start a Jr. Amerks career. Last season, Massimo Gentile rattled off goals in his first three games, but no one else has gone longer than two.
Powerful plays
Though Rochester boasts only a 19.44% power play success rate, that mark is still in the top-10 in the NAHL, even after the rough 1-for-8 performance against Fairbanks. They have managed to score a goal on the powerplay in all but one game — the 5–1 win against New Hampshire — and have had at least three chances in every contest this season.
Troubles in Danbury
The Hat Tricks certainly enter as the underdog to this series, having lost all but one game so far. A brutal 6–1 loss to Elmira was a difficult way to open the season, although they followed it up with an 8–1 win the next night. Unfortunately, they have scored just five goals total in the five games since and earned just one point on an overtime loss to Maryland. Their two goals per game is tied with the Springfield Jr. Blues for the lowest mark in the league.
