Article written by Aidan Charde
Preview: Robertson Cup Semifinals and Finals, May 16–20
After a decisive blowout of Maine in game three and an overtime win to clinch the series in game four, the Rochester Jr. Americans are onto the NAHL Robertson Cup Championship, taking place May 16–20.
In the Robertson Cup Semifinals, the team will face a formidable foe in the Bismarck Bobcats, who earned the top seed in the league with a 47–10–2 record, with a best-of-three series from May 16–18. The championship game would take place May 20 with a single game.
Bismarck was one of the few teams better than Rochester at home this season, powering to a 26–3–0 record in North Dakota. Fortunately for Rochester, all of the games among the final four will take place at a neutral site in Minnesota. A strong defensive team, they allowed a remarkable 1.75 goals against per game and were tied for first in goal differential with a +103.
It’s expected to be a highly competitive series so do not miss any of the action. Follow along with the Jr. Amerks on social media (@JrAmerksNAHL) or by watching live on NAHL.tv. Game one will take place 5:00pm ET / 4:00pm CT on Friday, May 16.
Shaw’s big weekend
Forward Ryan Shaw had a weekend to remember against the Nordiques, setting him up with plenty of momentum as the team enters the biggest stage. Shaw scored the opening goal in Friday’s 7–2 blowout and added another early in the second period. But that was not enough for the team’s leading postseason scorer, as he tied the contest and scored the game-winner in overtime the next night en route to a six-point weekend. He has now scored seven goals and 11 points in the playoffs, both standing as team records and the top current marks in the NAHL.
Outshoot, outscore, outplay
The Rochester Jr. Amerks put on an offensive clinic last weekend, scoring 10 goals on 80 shots including 20 in the first period on Saturday. It is not surprising to fans who have followed the team all season; they were outshot just 15 times including the playoffs but it still was an impressive showing for the team. When they shoot at least 35 times, they have a record of 25–6–7, paving the way for success.
Building momentum
As good as Shaw, Jaden Dyke and Calle Karlsson have been this postseason, it was nice to see goals from some players who have had fewer appearances on the stat sheet in the playoffs. On Friday, Clay O’Donnell scored a highlight reel goal, batting a puck down after a rebound, while Keanan Dewberry put one in while falling over after Maine’s goalie could not corral a pair of deflections. Later, Hugo Branthsson scored on a perfectly placed shot that snuck past a defender before making it into the net. It was the first playoff goal for both Branthsson and Dewberry while it was O’Donnell’s first since his two-goal game in the team’s postseason opener.
Who to look for?
As the Jr. Amerks prepare for the final games of the season, there are a handful of players that should be making an impact. First and foremost are goalies Danick Leroux or Jensen Carlstrom. In what is expected to be a defensive series, Leroux or Carlstrom will be key in ensuring the games stay close. Adam Gionta is still looking for his first playoff goal but he has been a key contributor, providing an assist on two game-winning goals including the overtime series winner against Maine. Shaw and Dyke are also both likely to play large roles, two of the team’s leading playoff scorers who have not shied away from the big moments — they hold four of the team’s six game winning goals. Finally, keep an eye on newly committed defenseman Liam Chapman, who leads the NAHL in assists during the playoffs while also being a physical force on defense.
Scouting Bismarck — Defense
Boasting one of the best goalies in the league in Tomas Anderson, the Bobcats are one of the most feared defensive teams in the NAHL. Anderson started 54 games including the playoffs and has only allowed more than four goals once and has nine shutouts on the year with a .936 save percentage. He has been so good that despite having a backup goalie who has a goals allowed average of under 1.900 and a save percentage over 91 in 17 games, he has started every single playoff game.
Scouting Bismarck — Offense
As good as their defense is, Bismarck’s offense has relied on its depth to get it done. Hurt in part by the fact that only one skater played all 59 games for the team, Bismarck has two players who averaged one point per game and neither played more than 35 games all season. Their leading scorer excluding midseason trades has just 17 goals and are led in points by two defenders before a forward cracks the list. The formula for beating Bismarck is simple on paper but clearly difficult in execution: score three times and the odds of winning go way up. Including the postseason, Bismarck is 7–7–2 when they allow three or more goals (Anderson is 6–4–2 on his own). On the flip side, Rochester is 40–2–6 when they score three or more goals.
