Article written by Aidan Charde
Recap: New Jersey Titans on Sept. 13 and 14
The Rochester Jr. Americans got off to a strong start this season, taking three of four points in their opening weekend against the New Jersey Titans.
In game one, the Jr. Amerks got off to a solid start with a goal from forward Jaden Dyke, one of the team’s key returners from last season. Dyke picked up the puck behind the net after a New Jersey defender lost possession and wrapped it around into the net for the first score of Rochester’s season. It was a lead that lasted just 21 seconds, though, as the Titans rattled off three unanswered goals to flip the game on its head.
But the Jr. Amerks were not to be denied. One minute after the Titans scored their third and final goal, newcomer Calle Karlsson rocketed a shot in from the deep slot to make it a one-goal game. Rochester native Owen King then tied it up with a strike of his own to even the game at three apiece with six minutes left in the second period.
Forward Hugo Branthsson, who already had two assists on the night, cemented his place on the team 42 seconds into the third period when he snuck a shot into the net to give Rochester a lead that held. Forward Andrew Gibbons added an empty net insurance goal as the clock wound down and the Jr. Amerks managed a great team win to start the season.
Gibbons drew first blood in Saturday’s game followed by a goal from forward Keanan Dewberry to give Rochester a 2–0 lead in the second period. This time, though, it was New Jersey’s turn to fight back, scoring twice to take the game to overtime.
The Jr. Amerks had a good scoring opportunity toward the end of the extra frame, but it was blown dead for an offsides call before a questionable hooking call gave New Jersey a man up for the final minute. Goalie Florian Wade held strong and managed to force the game to a shootout, but Rochester only managed one score to New Jersey’s two, falling just short of the sweep.
Preview: Sept. 20 and 21 vs. New Hampshire Mountain Kings
WHEN: Sept. 20 at 7:10 p.m. | Sept. 21 at 4 p.m.
WHERE: Tri-Town Ice Arena | Hooksett, NH
WATCH: NAHL.tv
FOLLOW: @JrAmerksNAHL
History
Talk about a team the Jr. Amerks love to face — Rochester went 6–1–1 against their fellow expansion team last season and scored six or more goals three times. Interestingly, in those eight games, New Hampshire faced five different Rochester goalies.
Searching for a star
The Jr. Amerks got production from all over the ice last weekend, which points toward a potential deep lineup. However, no one player stood out above the rest like the team saw last season. Hugo Branthsson came out of the weekend tied for the NAHL lead with four points (one goal, three assists) and Andrew Gibbons was the only Jr. Amerk to notch two goals, so both could be worth keeping an eye on. Forward Adam Gionta, who led all returning players in points last season, had a pair of assists as well.
Penalty kill looks promising
It was a small sample size, but an early 0.900 penalty kill rate bodes well for a team that struggled with that phase of the game for much of last season. Rochester only allowed one power play goal in the opening weekend, which puts them in third place in the league so far in that metric.
New Hampshire with a wild opening weekend
It is always nice to get into the season on a strong note and the Mountain Kings took that to the extreme on Friday, dominating the Johnstown Tomahawks by a score of 7–1. It was the kind of offensive explosion they lacked for much of last season paired with solid goalie play for all three periods. It would not last long, though, as they followed up that game with a blowout going the other direction, falling 6–1 on Saturday to enter this weekend 1–1 with just a +1 goal differential.
