Article written by Aidan Charde
Recap vs. Philadelphia Rebels on March 8 and 9
The Rochester Jr. Americans will try to forget last weekend’s games as they continue the playoff push after dropping both games of the series to the Philadelphia Rebels.
Several streaks were broken over the course of the weekend. It was the first time the Jr. Amerks lost an away game since Dec. 1, the first time being swept since Dec. 8–9, and the first time they have been shut out all season.
Game one looks strange on the stat sheet. Although the Jr. Amerks did kill all three penalties and outshoot the Rebels 58–17, Philadelphia still found the back of the net five times en route to the 5–3 win. The Rebels scored three unanswered goals in the first period to jump out to a big lead, although the Jr. Amerks were able to cut back into it with a goal late in the first period by Matteo Disipio and a Massimo Gentile strike midway through the second.
Unfortunately, the Rebels scored again to increase the lead and despite a late push that included a goal from Luca Leighton, the Jr. Amerks were unable to complete the comeback.
Game two was not much better, although it looked like it would be a very competitive game at the end of the first period. Philadelphia managed one goal in the waning minutes of the period on a power play, but both teams logged under 10 shots on goal in the frame.
The second period went mostly without incident as well until the Rebels scored a pair of goals two minutes apart as the period wound to a close. It would ultimately prove too much to recover from as the Rebels added three more in the final period to take the 6–0 win.
Preview: March 15 and 16 vs. Johnstown Tomahawks
WHEN: March 15 at 7 p.m. | March 16 at 5 p.m.
WHERE: Rochester Ice Center | Fairport, NY
PROMOTIONS: March 15 – St. Patrick’s Celebration | March 16 – School Staff Appreciation Night
WATCH: NAHL.tv
FOLLOW: @JrAmerksNAHL
History
The Rochester Jr. Americans and Johnstown Tomahawks have seen each other six times this season and it has typically been all Rochester. In five wins, the Jr. Amerks have outscored the Tomahawks 20–7, though they did drop one game 7–5. Rochester has also shut out the Tomahawks twice this year, most recently on March 6.
East Division playoff update
With only a few weeks to go, the Maryland Black Bears (75 pts) and Maine Nordiques (72 pts) have clinched playoff spots. The Jr. Amerks (67 pts) can clinch this weekend with a win, but after losing twice last weekend, the second seed will be harder to reach. In fourth place, the Johnstown Tomahawks (63 pts) have also closed the gap a little bit to third, but are also still trying to hold off the New Jersey Titans (59 pts), who sit just behind in fifth. The final playoff spot is, a bit surprisingly, still up for grabs: Despite controlling it for most of the season, the sixth-place Northeast Generals (50 pts) have lost six of their last eight while the Rebels (46 pts), fresh off a strong sweep, have earned points in each of their last eight.
Time to rebound
It was a rough series in Philadelphia last weekend, but Rochester is ready to bounce back. The Jr. Amerks typically perform well after losses, having a record of 15–5–2. At this point in the season, a losing streak could sink the team, so it is good to see history points toward the team righting the ship.
First time being shut out
For the first time in team history, the Jr. Amerks were held scoreless across 60 minutes of play — one of three teams that made it to this point in the season without being shut out. Regardless, it still points to how consistent the offensive unit has been. Even in a loss, all three big playmakers — Matteo Disipio, Massimo Gentile and Luca Leighton — contributed to the team and kept the game close in the first contest against the Rebels.
Disipio, Gentile have the chance to move up
Currently sitting in third and fourth in the total points standings, Matteo Disipio and Massimo Gentile both could move up a spot this weekend with good performances. Generals forward Sixten Jennersjo has been the best passer all season, tallying 59 of his 71 points on assists, but he tallied just one in last weekend’s series, leaving the door open for Disipio (69 pts) and Gentile (67 pts) to pull closer.
Penalty kill proves impactful
Though the Jr. Amerks’ penalty kill is greatly improved, Saturday’s game was a setback allowing the Rebels to score three times in six chances. The team had been on a run of 22 straight matchups without allowing more than one power play goal dating back to Dec. 9. It was the fourth time they have allowed three or more goals on the penalty kill and they have lost all but one of those games.
Osborne resets and recovers
On Wednesday night’s matchup verses Rochester just over a week ago, Johnstown goalie Jacob Osborne allowed three goals in a relief effort. This past weekend, Osborne corrected his game and had an impressive weekend between the pipes against the Generals. He played both games, shutting out Northeast in the first contest before allowing just three while stopping 34 in the second game’s win. Despite having a middle of the pack goals allowed average in the league with 2.913, he is also the winningest goalie in the league with a record of 24–6–1.