Written by Aidan Charde
Recap: Northeast Generals on Nov. 7 and 8
With memories of a sweep at the hands of the Northeast Generals last month still fresh, the Rochester Jr. Americans went into Canton and returned the favor, winning twice to extend their streak to four straight and jump to fifth place in the East Division.
The Jr. Amerks are a different team than the last time they saw the Generals, both in terms of personnel and performance, so it was no surprise that the games went differently. Still, it was unexpected when the first game kicked off with the first career goal from forward Mikey Tkac, playing in his fifth game, four minutes into the first period.
The Jr. Amerks led through the rest of the frame, but the Generals evened the score in the first minute of period two. The game held at one apiece until forward Konner Powell joined Tkac with his first career goal — strangely enough, also in his fifth game of the season — toward the end of the period.
The third period was where all the fun happened, though: The Generals scored twice in the opening six minutes to make it 3–2, their first lead of the night, before promptly blowing it nine seconds later when forward Owen King tied the game at three.
It was the only lead of the game for Northeast, who conceded goals to forwards Colin Dustin and Michael Sandruck before time expired to finish the game 5–3 Rochester.
Northeast struck first in game two, netting their first of three powerplay goals four minutes into the game, but Powell and forward Corson Maguire each scored to take a 2–1 lead. The Generals would not go down without a fight, scoring late in the first to tie the game and the score held at two through most of the second period before Powell’s second of the game made it 3–2 Rochester.
Once again, Northeast tied the game on a quick strike in the third period, and once again, Rochester did not let it stand for long as forward Ryan Flaherty took the lead right back 30 seconds later. A goal from forward Stone Rolston a few minutes after proved to be the game-winner; the Generals scored a fourth time but defenseman Dexter Kichline scored with an empty net to give the Jr. Amerks a 6–4 win.
It was a momentum-building win for the Jr. Amerks, who now travel to New Hampshire riding their longest win streak of the season with a chance to jump into the top three in the division.
Preview: New Hampshire Mountain Kings on Nov. 14 and 15
WHERE: Delta Dental Arena | Hooksett, NH
WHEN: Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. | Nov. 15 at 6 p.m.
WATCH: NAHL.tv
FOLLOW: @JrAmerksNAHL
History
The Mountain Kings and Jr. Amerks were both expansion teams in the NAHL two years ago, but they have followed vastly different trajectories as evidenced by Rochester’s 12–1–1 record in the series all-time. The lone regulation loss was also the first time the teams ever matched up, back in December 2023.
By The Numbers
Rochester
11–8–0 | 22 pts | 5th place | 61 GF | 50 GA | W4 streak
New Hampshire
7–8–3 | 17 pts | T-8th place | 48 GF | 59 GA | L1 streak
Stat of the Series
Rochester has won the last nine games against New Hampshire dating back to January 2024.
Welcome to the squad
Last weekend’s series was defined by a pair of players many Jr. Amerks fans may not be familiar with quite yet. Forward Konner Powell played in the opening series, but was then inactive for over a month before returning to the scene on Halloween. In six games, he has three goals — all of which came last weekend — and three assists. And while forward Mikey Tkac has not been on the roster all season, he also exploded last weekend for three points after joining the team in late October.
Looking to build momentum
Two months into the season, Rochester has had its highs and lows. The team has seemingly begun to find its groove as a squad, but individually, this weekend will be critical for players looking to build momentum. No player has had a points streak of over four games this season yet, but several players are on the cusp. Defensemen Murray Kanerva had at four game streak, while forward Stone Rolston is at three.
Revolving doors
he New Hampshire Mountain Kings have had mighty struggles in the goalie department this season. They’ve started five different players, searching for stability in the crease — and they may finally have their answer in Vladimir Nikitin. The 6’4” netminder, a 7th-round draft pick of the Ottawa Senators, arrives with a .924 save percentage in the BCHL and clear high-end potential. If he can translate that success to the NAHL, New Hampshire might finally solidify a position that has cost them games early in the year. Rochester holds an 11–0–0 record when scoring three or more goals in a game.
Nosedive
After a respectable 4–2–0 start for New Hampshire, things have gone downhill. In their last 12 games, the Mountain Kings have gone 3–6–3 and are now tied for last place in the division.
