Jr. Amerks Playing With Something To Prove As They Reignite Rivalry With Elmira

Jan 24, 2025

Article Written by Aidan Charde 
Recap: Maine Nordiques on Jan. 16 and 17

The Rochester Jr. Americans dropped both games but earned one point in a series with their East Division rivals.

In game one, it took uncharacteristically long for Rochester to get on the board, with defenseman Liam Chapman scoring their first and only goal with under four minutes left in the game. It was truly a defensive showcase where Maine’s skaters highlighted their end while the Jr. Amerks’ Danick Leroux stole the show in the net, stopping 30 of 32 shots faced.

Ultimately, the Nordiques excelled in the final frame, outshooting Rochester 14–4 in the period and getting an empty net goal to take a 3–1 victory and pull within one point of the division lead.

Undeterred, the Jr. Amerks came out swinging on night two with 12 shots on goal in the first period that translated to a 2–0 lead that held until the third. Unfortunately, the Nordiques came in clutch, scoring three goals in seven minutes to start the third period and take a late 3–2 lead.

Forward Calle Karlsson showed Rochester’s resilience, scoring an equalizer with 11 seconds remaining, to send the game to overtime. Neither team could make anything happen in the final frame or the first four rounds of the shootout until Maine finally took the victory in the fifth round. Karlsson’s late goal, however, secured Rochester one point to hold onto a tie for first place in the East.

The Jr. Amerks get to travel closer to home for this weekend, but still have another week to wait before returning to the Ice Center as they take on the Elmira Aviators for a third time.

 

Preview: Maine Nordiques on Jan. 24 and 25

WHEN: Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. | Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.

WHERE: LECOM Events Center | Elmira, NY

WATCH: NAHL.tv

FOLLOW: @JrAmerksNAHL

 

History

The “Battle of New York” has already led to some thrilling games in just one season. The Jr. Amerks are 2–1–1 against Elmira with a 6–3 and 5–0 win, but the Aviators have managed a pair of wins including a big comeback in the most recent game.

 

Penalty kill surges despite losses

The Rochester penalty kill has been excellent recently, allowing just one goal in the last six games (23 opportunities). Their 87.7% kill rate ranks seventh in the league and is the highest it has been since 90% after game two of the season. It is leading to success, too: The Jr. Amerks are 14–3–4 with a +21 goal differential when they do not allow a powerplay goal.

 

Brownlee hits double digits

With one goal and one assist last weekend, forward Landon Brownlee hit double digits in both stats. He is the sixth player on the team to reach 10 goals and the 10th to reach 10 assists. Neither mark is a career-high, as he managed 11 goals and 17 assists last season, but he is well on his way to improving those numbers with over 20 games remaining.

 

Offense needs to pick up the pace

Over the last eight games, the Jr. Amerks offense has been less than perfect. Though they have compiled a 4–2–2 record in the stretch, they are averaging just 2.37 goals per game, down from 3.62 in the first 29 games. Fortunately, defense has been stellar recently, allowing 2.06 goals per game since November 29 compared to 3.00 the rest of the season.

 

Aviators break losing streak, but enter cold

The Elmira Aviators come into this weekend 3–7–0 in their last 10 games after breaking a five-game skid last weekend. They swept the New Hampshire Mountain Kings 4–0 and 5–3, but it came after one of their toughest stretches of the season. In the most recent game, Elmira jumped out to a 4–0 lead despite being outshot 26–18 and nearly lost it, with New Hampshire drawing within one in the third before the Aviators iced it.

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