Written by Aidan Charde
Recap: New Jersey Titans on March 14 and 15
The Rochester Jr. Americans clinched a first round bye during a series sweep of the New Jersey Titans last weekend to move closer to securing the top seed in the division.
Game one was not the strongest performance in recent memory, but the Jr. Amerks still escaped with a win. The Titans scored the opening goal of the game two minutes in, but defenseman Jordin Palmer tied the contest with a strike from the blue line that somehow made it through four bodies en route to the net.
In the second period, forward JC Humphreys executed a perfect steal right beside the Titans’ net and dumped it off to forward Landon Brownlee, who put it behind the goalie before anyone could even react. The Titans tied the game early in the third, but an uncovered rebound gave defenseman Dexter Kichline a wide-open net to take the lead again. Forward Gabe Randel would flip in an empty-netter to ice the game.
The contest was also notable because it was the second time in team history that the Jr. Amerks did not receive a single penalty all game. It was the first game in team history where no penalties were called on either side.
Game two was far more what fans have come to expect of the Jr. Amerks as forward Keanan Dewberry and defenseman Liam Chapman gave Rochester a 2–0 lead after two periods while goalie Danick Leroux stopped all 25 shots he saw.
In the third period, forwards Jaden Dyke and Owen King scored one minute apart to make the game 4–0, but the Titans did earn a pair of their own to end Leroux’ shutout bid. Brownlee also tallied his second of the weekend to make the final score 5–2.
Friday’s win paired with an overtime loss by the Maine Nordiques gave the Jr. Amerks a coveted first round bye in the playoffs. That means they will not participate in round one, which takes place April 18–20. They will host games one, two and five (if necessary) starting April 25.
Preview: Elmira Aviators on March 21 and 22
WHEN: March 21 at 7 p.m. | March 22 at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Rochester Ice Center | Fairport, NY
PROMOTIONS: March 21 — Tropical Night | March 22 — School Staff Appreciation Night
WATCH: NAHL.tv
FOLLOW: @JrAmerksNAHL
History
In six matchups, the Elmira Aviators and Rochester Jr. Americans have each won three contests. The Jr. Amerks hold a 3–1–2 record against their rivals from New York and the squads have had some iconic matchups already, including each team notching a shutout and comeback wins.
East Division playoff update
The Jr. Amerks (80 pts) remained in first place and moved closer to clinching the regular season divisional title last weekend. They need either two wins or one win and a loss from the second place Maryland Black Bears (71 pts) to earn the honor. The Maine Nordiques (67 pts) held firm in third place, but the Johnstown Tomahawks (61 pts) jumped the New Jersey Titans (60 pts) for the rights to fourth. The New Hampshire Mountain Kings (51 pts) are unlikely to move higher than sixth, but remain in the playoff picture as the Philadelphia Rebels (47 pts) close the gap. The Danbury Hat Tricks (43 pts) and Northeast Generals (43 pts) can both be eliminated from contention this weekend, along with the Elmira Aviators (42 pts).
Full-team effort
Despite the team’s top five goal scorers combining for just two goals all weekend, the Jr. Amerks scored an impressive nine times on the Titans. That was thanks in large part to Rochester finding goals from eight different players — Forwards Keanan Dewberry, Jaden Dyke, Owen King and Gabe Randel each found the net once. Three defensemen scored in Liam Chapman, Dexter Kichline, and Jordin Palmer, while forward Landon Brownlee was the only player to score twice.
Streak survives slow stretch
It may feel wrong to call a three-game stretch without a goal “slow,” but it was certainly not as hot as weekends past. Forward Calle Karlsson extended his franchise-record points streak to 17 games with three assists last weekend and is poised to continue it this week. He sits two goals away from tying Massimo Gentile’s record of 31 goals in a season and still has six games remaining to catch up.
Instant classics
All six matchups between the Aviators and Jr. Amerks have been eventful, to say the least. The Jr. Amerks have won three games: a 6–3 blowout, a 5–0 shutout, and a 4–3 comeback win where the team did not hold a lead until the third period. But they have also had three notable games go the other way, a 6–0 loss and two overtime losses to Elmira. Whatever happens this weekend, be ready for an exhilarating series.
Aviators goalie surges with new team
While they have struggled to find consistent goalkeeping — five different players have started at least three games — they have had some success lately with new goalie acquisition Wesley Jefferson-Swint II. In five games with the Wisconsin Windigo, Jefferson-Swint II saved 84% of shots and allowed over four goals per game. Since coming to Elmira, his save percentage has jumped up to 91% while he is allowing a full goal less than before. It will be a tall task to go against the best offense and hottest team in the NAHL, but the Aviators have started him in the net in 11 straight games.
