The Stakes Significant In Massive Series Versus Maine

Jan 16, 2025

Written by Aidan Charde
Recap: Philadelphia Rebels on Jan. 10 and 11

The Rochester Jr. Americans continued to build on a strong season with another sweep, this time of the Philadelphia Rebels, although in a pair of nail-biting battles.

In game one, it took just over eight minutes for the Jr. Americans to score, setting the tone early and being the first team on the board for the 25th time. Forward Keanan Dewberry lit the lamp for the fifth time this season followed a little over one minute later by forward Jaden Dyke, who earned his 10th.

With a comfortable 2–0 lead in hand, it would make sense for the Jr. Amerks to take their foot off the gas, but instead they made 21 more shots on goal in the second period alone. It only led to one goal, forward Calle Karlsson’s team-leading 16th, but it padded the lead and proved to be important.

Philadelphia came out strong in the third frame to try and cut into the lead, converting twice in the frame to make it a close game. However, goalie Florian Wade held strong and kept the Rebels from adding the tying goal, giving Rochester a 3–2 win.

In game two, Rochester once again scored first with Dyke tallying his second goal of the weekend. Although there were no lead changes in the second period, it was an eventful frame as the teams traded goals back and forth over nine minutes. Ultimately, the Jr. Amerks ended the period up 3–2 thanks to goals from forwards Ryan Shaw and Owen King— the latter having a highlight-reel snipe.

What was a tight game for most of the contest ended looking like a blowout. With two minutes left, forward JC Humphreys had a chance but fell, sending a weak shot toward the Rebels goalie. But in the process of collecting the puck and passing it to a nearby defender, the puck deflected off a Rebel skate and drifted into the open net, giving Rochester a 4–2 advantage just as Philadelphia was getting ready for a final push. 45 seconds later, forward Gabe Cull powered his way in for a goal to cap off the weekend with a 5–2 win.

Rochester now has a Thursday–Friday series with the Maine Nordiques, who they will host in two weeks for First Responders Appreciation Night.

 

Preview: Maine Nordiques on Jan. 16 and 17

WHEN: Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. | Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: The Colisee | Lewiston, ME

WATCH: NAHL.tv

FOLLOW: @JrAmerksNAHL

 

History

The Nordiques and Jr. Amerks have a storied history already. Rochester is 5–3–2 against their rivals from Maine in the regular season, although Maine ended Rochester’s season in the playoffs last year. And last time the two teams met, Rochester set a franchise record with 109 penalty minutes in the game during a rough loss to the Nordiques. It is the second series these teams have played this season and the second at the Colisee.

King breaks scoring drought with exceptional goal

Owen King had gone a season-long five games without a point until game two last weekend when he got a goal and an assist, the former coming on a snipe from an impossible angle. While he has not been the highest volume scorer, King has played a valuable role to the team this season. His 26 points rank 5th on the team and he has more three-point games than anyone besides Calle Karlsson and Hugo Branthsson. In addition, he chooses his moments to score well — the team is 13–0–4 when he registers a point!

Goalie play continues to drive season

The Jr. Amerks are a well-rounded team, currently sitting third in the NAHL with 50 points and playing well on both ends of the ice. They have scored the 10th-most goals in the league, 120, and have allowed the eighth-fewest, 89. Meanwhile, goalie Danick Leroux continues to move up the individual rankings — he is currently ninth in goals allowed average and 10th in save percentage. He has allowed fewer than three goals in five straight games and boasts a record of 17–2–2, the second-most wins in the league.

Building on last season’s success

Last year’s offense was one for the ages in Rochester, but this season’s team is rising to the occasion. Jaden Dyke’s first of two goals from last weekend put him in double-digit goals, the fifth player to do so on the team. Last season, seven players surpassed the mark, including returners Dyke, Landon Brownlee and Adam Gionta. With 25 games to play, it is not out of the cards for that number to grow this year. Brownlee sits at nine goals, while Keanan Dewberry and Gabe Cull each have five. Additionally, Ryan Shaw has two in six games with the team, setting a good pace to join that group.

Rochester faces off with red-hot Nordiques

Few teams in the league may be as hot as Maine right now. Following a six-game skid that saw the Nordiques shut out twice in a row, Maine has won eight of their last nine games, with the one loss being the 2–1 contest against the Jr. Amerks. During that stretch, they have scored over three goals in all but one win and have allowed two or fewer in all eight games. After sitting behind Maryland and Rochester much of the season, Maine is hungry to regain the top step in the division.

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