Preview by Aidan Charde
Recap: Philadelphia Rebels on Oct. 17 and 18
The Rochester Jr. Americans got back on track in a big way with their first sweep of the season, winning both contests against the Philadelphia Rebels last weekend.
Game one took a few minutes for the Jr. Amerks to get going, but forward Corson Maguire led the charge with his fourth goal of the season in the first period. The second frame, however, was where Rochester really took over. Forward Adam Gionta scored his record-tying sixth career shorthanded goal — the first for Rochester this season — and added an even strength strike three minutes later to give the Jr. Amerks a 3–0 lead.
Philadelphia did get one past goalie Jensen Carlstrom before the period ended, but forward Ryan Shaw put the game away with his team-leading seventh goal of the year, giving Rochester a 4–1 win.
Game two was likely the most dominating performance of the season for the Jr. Amerks despite not running up the score. Shaw scored on an early powerplay opportunity to take a 1–0 lead and forward Owen King extended it in the second, also on a powerplay. Although Philadelphia pulled the game within one, King scored again before the end of the second period to take a 3–1 lead into the locker room.
In the third period, Shaw became the second player in team history to score two powerplay goals in the same game, giving Rochester another 4–1 win. The squad also outshot the Rebels 44–13, eclipsing 13 shots in all three periods and not allowing more than five in a frame all game. It was the largest shot on goal margin of the season for the team, which was beneficial to goalie Florian Wade, who made his return to the team saving 12 of 13 in his season debut.
Preview: Maine Nordiques on Oct. 24 and 25
WHERE: Norway Savings Bank Arena | Auburn, ME
WHEN: Oct. 24 at 4 p.m. | Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.
WATCH: NAHL.tv
FOLLOW: @JrAmerksNAHL
History
The Maine Nordiques are a familiar foe for Rochester; the teams have squared off 23 times in history, including two playoff series. The Jr. Amerks hold a solid 12–7–4 record in the series, with the last three wins each coming in the postseason.
By the numbers
Rochester
7–6–0 | 14 pts | 7th place | 40 GF | 33 GA | 3W streak
Maine
8–3–1 | 17 pts | 3rd place | 34 GF | 33 GA | 3W streak
Powerplay comes to life
In the early portion of the season, a key storyline was the scuffling powerplay, but that has changed over the last three games. 28 of Rochester’s first 30 goals of the season were even strength, including the first 10 in their 12-goal outpouring against Johnstown. Of the 10 goals since, though, Rochester has five on the powerplay, a remarkable turnaround. The numbers still do not look great — 7-for-47 for a rate of 14.9% — but it is markedly better than the 5.7% they had just two short weeks ago.
Shots matter
It may seem simple, but the Jr. Amerks are a completely different team when they rattle off shots. Since 2024, Rochester is 36–9–7 when they outshoot their opponent, compared to 10–9–1 when they do not. They also have lost just twice this season when they tally 30 or more shots in a game, a feat the team accomplished in both games against the Rebels. In eight games with 30 or more shots, the Jr. Amerks score about once every nine shots. In five games with under 30 shots, Rochester scores nearly half as often, once every 17 shots.
Big 3 has arrived
Gentile, Disipio, Leighton. Karlsson, King, Gionta. The team has ridden the success of three strong forwards in each season so far and finally it looks like this year’s trio is coming together: Shaw, King, Gionta. Seven of the eight goals last weekend came from those three players and, predictably, they lead the team in points. Now that the offense is clicking, the rest of the league should be worried about what Rochester can accomplish.
Struggling Nordiques surge into series
10 days ago, the Jr. Amerks wanted nothing more than to face the Maine Nordiques, who were coming off four consecutive losses where they were outscored 23–5. Unfortunately, much like Rochester, the Nordiques had a series to rebound, beating the New Hampshire Mountain Kings in a midweek game and the Elmira Aviators in a series last weekend. The Nordiques are far from the juggernaut the Jr. Amerks are used to, but still pose a threat as Rochester comes to town.
