Written by Aidan Charde
Recap: Feb. 6 and 7 vs. New Jersey Titans
For the second weekend in a row, the Rochester Jr. Americans split a series, taking two points from the New Jersey Titans in a hard-fought slate.
In game one, it was all Rochester for most of the game. The Titans took the lead early with an unassisted goal five minutes in, but a pair of strikes from forwards Colin Dustin and Keanan Dewberry later in the frame earned the Jr. Amerks a 2–1 advantage that they never gave back.
Due to a penalty handed out as the first period ended, New Jersey went on the powerplay to start the second frame. What could have been a disaster for Rochester turned into a great outcome, though, as forward Adam Gionta struck shorthanded to extend the Jr. Amerks’ lead just 37 seconds into the period.
Gionta was not finished yet; 26 seconds into another New Jersey powerplay late in the period, he sent a shot past the Titans’ goalie for his second shorthanded goal of the game. It was only the second time a Jr. Amerk has scored shorthanded twice in the same game, both instances coming off the stick of Gionta.
Down 4–1, the Titans played their best period in the final 20 minutes, capitalizing on a powerplay to cut the lead to two and outshooting Rochester 13–6. However, an empty net goal from Dustin iced the game and sent Rochester home with two crucial points.
Riding the hot hand, goalie Florian Wade — who stopped 31 shots in Friday’s game — earned the start on Saturday as well and he had an impressive first period, holding the Titans scoreless on 13 shots.
However, despite spending nearly half of the second period shorthanded, the Titans found their way past Wade three times in seven minutes to jump to a 3–0 lead. Rochester cut into it on the final powerplay chance of the period, with defenseman Sam Schulte scoring his 10th of the season and third with Rochester.
It was too little, too late, though, as even with a 6–on–5 goal from Dustin — his third of the weekend — the Jr. Amerks were unable to equalize and fell 3–2.
Rochester heads home this weekend for a lengthy homestand, playing the first of seven consecutive home games when they welcome the Maine Nordiques for the most important series of the season.
Preview: Maine Nordiques on Feb. 13 and 14
WHERE: Rochester Ice Center | Fairport, NY
WHEN: Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. | Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.
WATCH: NAHL.tv
FOLLOW: @JrAmerksNAHL
History
These teams know each other well, having faced off 27 times in three years, which includes a pair of playoff series. Maine holds a slight edge, but it is as small as possible: Rochester is 13–10–4 all-time. This year, Maine holds a 3–1–0 lead, so this weekend will have massive consequences for the two teams jockeying for second place.
By the Numbers
Rochester
28–13–0 | 56 pts | 3rd place | 152 GF | 103 GA | L1 streak
Maine
27–13–3 | 57 pts | 2nd place | 127 GF | 113 GA | L1 streak
Stat of the Series
Maine has played two more games than Rochester this year, but hold second place by just one point, keeping the door open for Rochester to control its own destiny in playoff seeding. Additionally, the first tiebreaker in playoff seeding is wins, not head-to-head record, so Rochester’s 28 wins compared to Maine’s 27 may end up being the deciding factor.
East Division playoff update
The Maryland Black Bears (74 pts) inch closer to the first seed each day, but the real battle is between the Nordiques (57 pts) and Jr. Amerks (56 pts). Both teams split their weekend series, keeping the difference at one point for another week. The Northeast Generals (48 pts) and New Jersey Titans (46 pts) are locked in a battle for the fourth seed, while the Danbury Hat Tricks (44 pts) and Johnstown Tomahawks (43 pts) are close behind, though Danbury currently occupies the sixth and final playoff spot. The Philadelphia Rebels (42 pts) are on the outside looking in, while the Elmira Aviators (38 pts) and New Hampshire Mountain Kings (37 pts) need a late-season push to get back in the race.
Gionta hits double digits
It may have taken him longer than last year, but a two-goal game from Adam Gionta put him at 10 goals on the season. He has come alive in the last two months, doubling his points total from 14 to 28 since Dec. 20. Although that stretch includes only three goals, having another scorer hitting their stride as the playoff push begins is a great sign for the Jr. Amerks.
Dustin continues quietly good campaign
Hidden behind the record-setting season from Ryan Shaw and the jaw-dropping two-month stretch from Owen King where he scored 10 goals in 10 games is Colin Dustin, who has been a great contributor all season. Dustin is one of three players on the team that have played all 41 games this year, notching 16 goals and 13 assists. Additionally, at just 18 years old, Dustin has plenty of eligibility left to make more of an impact with the squad.
Multi-goal magic?
So far this season, Rochester is 17–2–0 when a player scores multiple goals in a game. It is an indicator of the offense clicking, which has been integral to the team’s success, but also speaks volume about the scoring ability of the entire team. Unsurprisingly Ryan Shaw leads the team with eight instances this season, followed by Owen King with four, Adam Gionta and Konner Powell with three, Colin Dustin and Corson Maguire with two, and Murray Kanerva, Stone Rolston and Ryan Flaherty each with one.
Playoffs coming early
As the Nordiques and Jr. Amerks prep for a critical matchup, the stakes could not be higher. If the Nordiques earn a regulation win in either game, they will hold onto the second seed for at least another week, but a Rochester sweep or a win and overtime loss would both put Rochester in complete control of the playoff bye. The Nordiques also hold the advantage in strength of schedule in the final months, as following this weekend, nine of their 14 remaining games come against teams currently out of the playoffs, including seven games against the bottom two teams in the division.
Nordiques stumble
The Nordiques are a formidable team, but come into the weekend in the midst of an aggressively mediocre stretch of hockey. In their last three games, they have score three goals total and have been shutout three times in the last six games. Maine did manage to take down Maryland 5–4 during that six game span, but they have also won by more than a single goal only twice in the new year.
