Article Written by Aidan Charde
Recap: New Hampshire Mountain Kings on Sept. 20 and 21
The Rochester Jr. Americans got back to their winning ways with a sweep of the New Hampshire Mountain Kings last weekend, improving their lifetime record against the division foe to 8–1–1.
Game one started off with a bang. Although New Hampshire actually managed to score the first goal of the contest, four different Jr. Amerks lit the lamp in a span of twelve minutes across the rest of the first period. Forwards Jaden Dyke, Calle Karlsson, Benjamin Darche and Owen King each found a way to the back of the net to give Rochester an early 4–1 lead.
Forward Adam Gionta got the scoring started back up again soon after the second period began, giving the Jr. Amerks a 5–1 lead less than a minute in, but it would be the last Rochester goal for quite some time as New Hampshire tried to storm back. In just over six minutes, the Mountain Kings turned a four-goal deficit into just a 5–4 game going into the locker room for the last time, adding their fourth goal a mere two seconds before the buzzer.
In the final frame, New Hampshire outshot Rochester 20–7, but it was not enough — both teams added one more goal and the Jr. Amerks came out victorious 6–5. It was a clean game for the Jr. Amerks, too, as they only found themselves down a man once all night, even if New Hampshire converted the lone opportunity.
In game two, it looked like it would be a defensive battle early. Neither team was called for a single penalty in the period and both goalies made over 11 saves, but Rochester forward Andrew Gibbons was the only one who managed a goal. In the second period, Karlsson got his second score of the weekend to take a 2–0 lead before New Hampshire added one of their own to make it 2–1 going into the third period.
After a close 40 minutes of play, the Jr. Amerks decided it was time to get serious and rattled off three more goals on just 10 shots across the final 13 minutes of play. Gibbons got his second of the night and fifth of the year, while newly acquired forward Wyatt Stefan, traded from the Danbury Hat Tricks, scored his first goal of the year. Forward Keanan Dewberry finished off the night with a score of his own and Rochester cruised to the 5–1 win.
Preview: Sept. 25–27 at the NAHL Showcase
WHEN: Sept. 25 at 2:30 p.m. vs. St. Cloud Norsemen | Sept. 26 at noon vs. Watertown Shamrocks | Sept. 27 at 12:45 p.m.vs. Fairbanks Ice Dogs
WHERE: NSC Super Rink | Blaine, MN
WATCH: NAHL.tv
FOLLOW: @JrAmerksNAHL
NAHL Showcase
The Jr. Americans travel to Minnesota along with all 34 other NAHL teams to take part in the annual NAHL Showcase this week. Each team will play a schedule of three games in front of fans from all over and scouts from across the NCAA. Aside from the playoffs, it is also the only time the Jr. Americans will get to play teams from outside the division, making for some exciting hockey. This year, Rochester will face the St. Cloud Norsemen, Watertown Shamrocks and Fairbanks Ice Dogs. For more information on the showcase, check the NAHL website.
Gibbons stands above the rest
Forward Andrew Gibbons had a tremendous weekend in New Hampshire, tallying three goals to bring his season total up to five. The 19-year-old now sits tied for the most goals in the NAHL and, even with no assists yet, he is not far off the lead for points. Gibbons has scored a goal in all four games for Rochster so far, the only player to do so on the team and one of two in the league.
Brick Wall Wade shines yet again
After his stellar performance against New Hampshire, where he saved 40 shots, Florian Wade sits toward the top of the league among goalies. His 1.44 goals allowed average ranks fourth among goalies with more than one game played, while his save percentage of .957 is the third-best. Wade is no stranger to a heavy workload, playing some of the most minutes in the NAHL last year and already having seven 40+ save performances under his belt.
Tough offenses to come
Although it is early in the season, two of Rochester’s three opponents in the Showcase this week have been lighting up the scoreboard so far. Across two games, the St. Cloud Norsemen have 11 goals, while the Fairbanks Ice Dogs have 15 in three games. Both have allowed 11 goals to go along with the high-flying offenses, though, so a silver lining shines through. The expansion Watertown Shamrocks have had a rough start to their first year, just four goals in their first two games.
