Written by Aidan Charde
Recap: April 25 and 26 vs. Johnstown Tomahawks
The Rochester Jr. Americans fought hard in two overtime games, but ultimately fell to the Johnstown Tomahawks in games three and four of the division semifinals.
Game one was a dogfight right from the jump as the squads traded goals back and forth for a score of 2–2 after one period. Johnstown got on the board first, but forward Ryan Shaw scored his first postseason goal to even it up. The tie lasted a whole 90 seconds, though, as the Tomahawks would retake the lead soon after on a powerplay. Defenseman Dexter Kichline scored on an unassisted strike from the blue line to even the score after one.
Midway through the second period, Johnstown scored their third goal of the contest, but Rochester did not give up, holding strong defensively the rest of the way and knotting the game for a third time on a goal from JC Humphreys. After neither team could finish the game in regulation, the contest went to overtime for the third time in Jr. Amerks playoff history.
Even with 20 more minutes of play, neither team could score a game-winner in the first overtime period. A combined 25 shots on goal were the most in a period all game, but the goalies were both perfect, sending the game into a second overtime. The Tomahawks eventually scored in the fifth frame to win the game 4–3.
Game two started out rough with Johnstown taking a 1–0 advantage less than a minute into the contest and adding a second goal late in the first to take a 2–0 lead into the locker rooms. The Tomahawks outshot Rochester 14–7 in the first period, but their offense fizzled out as the game went on — Rochester would outshoot Johnstown 32–18 the rest of the way.
The second period came and went, but forward Calle Karlsson would not go quietly into the night. He got the Jr. Amerks on the board just 20 seconds into the third period and eventually tied the contest as the clock ticked under two minutes. It was the team’s fourth two-goal playoff game in history and the second this year. Unfortunately, the game once again went into overtime and ended much faster with the Tomahawks scoring the game-winner four minutes in to force the decisive game five.
The game will take place tonight back at home in the Rochester Ice Center for the rights to advance to the East Division Finals.
Preview: April 28 vs. Johnstown Tomahawks
WHEN: April 28 at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Rochester Ice Center | Rochester, NY
WATCH: NAHL.tv
FOLLOW: @JrAmerksNAHL
Return to Rowdy Town
After two hard-fought overtime losses, the Jr. Amerks return home to the Rochester faithful where they play their best hockey. In the regular season, the squad was 22–4–2 on home ice while they are 6–0–0 in the postseason across both years. Additionally, the team held a whopping +51 goal differential at home in the regular season, so the reunion with their fans should provide the final boost needed to advance.
He has arrived
It took a few games for him to get going, but forward Calle Karlsson reminded everyone why he was one of the best scorers in the NAHL this year with his two-goal third period on Saturday. Not only did he become the fourth Jr. Amerk to score three goals in a single postseason, but they both proved crucial as they were the only two goals in a comeback overtime performance. While the team could not find the net for a third time, it was a promising showing from their top scorer in the regular season.
Carlstrom sets team record
With four games and three starts under his belt, goalie Jensen Carlstrom has now set the team record for saves in a single postseason with 98, beating Danick Leroux’ 2024 playoff run of 89. Carlstrom performed admirably in both away games, locking in after allowing two goals in the first period of each game. In Johnstown, he saw 19 first period shots and allowed four goals, but was a brick wall the rest of the way, allowing just three in 45 shots across the second, third and overtime periods.
Kichline etches his name
An under-the-radar moment of the weekend was defenseman Dexter Kichline’s unassisted blue line goal on Friday to tie the game in the first period. Kichline, who tallied 23 goals in the regular season, became the first Rochester defenseman not named Tyler Procious to score a postseason goal.
Under pressure
Never has there been a more nerve-wracking game in team history. With a trip to the division finals on the line, the team needs every fan in the building to make sure the arena is rocking for a win-or-go-home contest between the two fierce rivals. It is only the second time Rochester has played in a game five, but last year’s game was under the exact opposite circumstances: Rochester dropped the first two, won at home in games three and four, and fell in the final game.
Avakyan tested and tired?
All season long, the M.O. of the Jr. Amerks has been rattling off shots and exhausting the opposing goalie, leading to Rochester racking up goals. Johnstown goalie Nick Avakyan has been getting pummeled with pucks so far and he has played well in each of the four games, but he has faced a truly ridiculous amount of shots. He saw nearly as many shots in the two games in Johnstown (85) as his team has gotten off all series (118).
