Article Written by Aidan Charde
Recap 11/17 and 11/18 vs. Northeast Generals
What was looking like a lost series entering the second period of game two ended up with some silver linings. The Rochester Jr. Americans completed a big comeback to earn a split with the Northeast Generals. In game one, the Jr. Amerks took a lead early on an Alex Zakrzewski goal but the Generals netted five unanswered, including four on the power play, to cruise to a 5–1 win. Game two looked like more of the same — the Generals scored two goals in the first period and despite 17 shots on net, the Jr. Amerks could not get behind the goalie. However, a slew of penalties in the second period helped the Amerks score twice to tie the game. Shortly after, forward Thomas Rockey (No. 19) scored his second goal of the contest, giving the Jr. Amerks a 3–2 lead. That score would hold all the way to the end, providing each team with two points to show for the weekend.
Preview: Nov. 24–26 vs. Johnstown Tomahawks
WHEN: Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. | Nov. 25 at 7:00 p.m. | Nov. 26 at 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Johnstown, PA | 1st Summit Arena
WATCH: NAHL.tv
FOLLOW: @JrAmerksNAHL
History:
The Rochester Jr. Americans swept the Johnstown Tomahawks earlier this season in a home series at the start of October. The Jr. Amerks won the first game 3–2 and the second game 5–4 in overtime.
Rockey gets hot
Forward Thomas Rockey scored two crucial goals in the 3–2 win over the Northeast Generals last weekend, doubling his total goals on the season. He has now scored three goals in his last three games after a stretch of 15 scoreless contests.
Penalties proving problematic
Currently, the Jr. Amerks have a 78.3% penalty kill, the fourth-lowest mark in the league. They also have 464 penalty minutes, the fourth-highest total in the league. Since the start of November, six of the 18 goals the team has allowed came while the Jr. Amerks were short-handed.
Gionta primed for a big series
Forward Adam Gionta (No. 12) should be expecting a big game. The last time the Jr. Amerks played the Tomahawks, Gionta caught on fire for the series, scoring three goals and adding an assist.
Brick Wall Wade
Jr. Amerks Goaltender Florian Wade has been playing his best hockey. Over his last six appearances, Wade earned five wins with a .940 save percentage. He also holds just a 2.16 goals against average during that span. The Alaska native is a 2005 birth year and is playing his first full season of junior hockey. On the season, his record is 9-3-1 which is third in the NAHL.
Rapp on a solid streak
Since the start of October, Tomahawks forward Justin Rapp (No. 27) has been putting in work to be a leading scorer for the team. After scoring just four points in the first nine games of the season, Rapp has exploded for 14 in the last two months. Since Oct. 7, he has more multi-point performances (four) than games without a single point (three).
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Stay connected during the season by following the Jr. Amerks @JrAmerksNAHL on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and online at rochesterjramerks.com.
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The Rochester Jr. Americans are members of the NAHL which is the oldest and largest junior hockey league of its kind in the United States and one of only two USA Hockey-certified leagues that operate under the non pay-to-play model. The NAHL is also one of the best at advancing players to NCAA and professional hockey. All league games are viewable via NAHLTV. For more information, visit rochesterjramerks.com.