Article Written by Aidan Charde
Recap: Maryland Black Bears on Oct. 11 and 12
Another weekend ended in a split for the Rochester Jr. Americans, as they witnessed the highest highs and the lowest lows across a two game series with Maryland.
Five minutes was all it took for the weekend to turn from stellar to average; Rochester showcased some of its best hockey of the season, but a difficult series of events in the second game dimmed the mood somewhat heading into the next week of action.
Game one was the Jr. Amerks firing on all cylinders. For the second time in three games, forward Hugo Branthsson scored twice to pace Rochester. It was not a high-scoring game, as Branthsson’s two goals were the only scores for either side at the end of 60 minutes. Goalie Danick Leroux earned the sixth shutout of his career, including the postseason, and the second 2–0 shutout of Maryland he has earned.
Despite being outshot, the Jr. Amerks played all 60 minutes to the fullest to earn a gritty win against one of the best teams in the NAHL. One period into game two and it seemed like history would repeat itself. Defenseman Jordin Palmer scored his first goal of the season to open scoring, the second defender to score this year for the Jr. Amerks.
Rochester made it through most of the second period when the Black Bears exploded, going from a 1–0 Jr. Amerks lead to a 3–1 Black Bears lead in 90 seconds. Three minutes later, Maryland added another goal to make it 4–1 in less than five minutes, turning the game on its head and forcing Rochester to play from a big deficit for one of the first times this year.
The Jr. Amerks fought back, adding two goals in the third frame and getting a man-up opportunity with three minutes left, but they could not make the equalizer happen. Part of the reason for the loss may have been the Jr. Amerks’ 1-for-9 performance on power plays, the sixth time they have failed on four or more chances this season.
Rochester now will head back on the road for a series with the Johnstown Tomahawks, but they return the week after to face the Danbury Hat Tricks.
Preview: Johnstown Tomahawks on Oct. 18 and 19
WHEN: Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. | Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: 1st Summit Arena | Johnstown, PA
WATCH: NAHL.tv
FOLLOW: @JrAmerksNAHL
History
Rochester finally faces off against Johnstown for the first time this year after winning six of eight matchups last season. Despite the lopsided record, the two teams made for some close games last season, including a strange shootout ending and a 7–5 contest. Johnstown was also the first opponent Rochester swept.
Weekend to remember for Branthsson
It feels like we’ve said it a lot lately, but forward Hugo Branthsson put on a show against Maryland. Last weekend, he scored three goals and an assist to come away with his second four-point series and earned NAHL’s third star of the week. He is currently riding a six-game points streak, the longest of the season for any player so far.
Special teams playing a factor
The Jr. Amerks had 14 power play opportunities last weekend, their most across a two-game stretch this season, but only converted twice. In fact, just once this season has the team scored on multiple power plays in the same game. However, on the other side of the ice, the team is performing better. The Jr. Amerks allowed two goals on the penalty kill in the last five games and never allowed more than one in the same game.
Leroux gets the first shutout
It was a familiar experience for Leroux against the Black Bears, but he regained some of his 2023-24 form in the 2–0 win on Friday. It was the first time Rochester has held an opponent scoreless in a game this season, but occurred far sooner this year than last. Cole O’Donnell had the team’s first and only shutout at the end of November until Leroux joined the team in early 2024 and got his first in his first start. He has now achieved the feat six times, including once in the playoffs.
Trouble for the Tomahawks
It has been a rough start to the season for the Tomahawks this year, as they already rank dead last in the division for goals scored (28) and goals allowed (49). Those are also some of the lowest marks in the league: 28 goals scored is the 11th-fewest, but only two teams below them have played as many games as Johnstown, while 49 goals allowed is the most sacrificed in the NAHL.
Johnstown’s special teams has been a nightmare
It couldn’t get much worse for Johnstown’s special teams units. The Tomahawks power play has scored the same amount of goals (5) as they’ve sacrificed shorthanded (5). Converting at 10.4%, that puts them easily last in the East Division and 31st overall in the NAHL. Somehow their penalty kill is worse. With a 65% success rate, down a man the Tomahawks are dead last in the NAHL. To put it bluntly, they haven’t been able to stop the bleeding.
