Article written by Aiden Charde
Recap: Danbury Hat Tricks on Sept. 19 and 20
The Rochester Jr. Americans split their second series of the season, winning once and losing once to the Danbury Hat Tricks.
Game one was one of the more entertaining contests of the early season as both goalies were perfect throughout the first period, stopping 25 combined shots. Danbury broke through with a goal early in the second, but the Jr. Amerks defense held strong the rest of the way.
The game marked the first comeback win of the season for Rochester when forward Stone Rolston tied it early in the third, stripping a defender and finishing. Later in the frame, forwards Cameron Doran and Colin Dustin scored 13 seconds apart, tying the franchise record for fastest consecutive goals. Corson Maguire added an insurance tally, and all four goals were the first of the season for each forward.
In game two, Danbury struck early and carried a 1–0 lead into the first intermission after outshooting Rochester 12–4. The Jr. Amerks pushed back with 14 shots in the second, but Danbury doubled the lead before Ryan Shaw buried one late in the period. Shaw’s goal was the last of the night as the Hat Tricks held on for a 2–1 win.
Rochester sits tied for fourth in the division with four points and looks to climb the standings this week.
Preview: Sept. 24, 25 and 27 at the NAHL Showcase
-
Where: NSC Super Rink | Blaine, MN
-
When: Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. vs. El Paso Rhinos | Sept. 25 at 6:45 p.m. vs. Amarillo Wranglers | Sept. 27 at 6:15 p.m. vs. USNTDP U-17
-
Watch: NAHL.tv
-
Follow: @JrAmerksNAHL
History
The Jr. Americans face two new NAHL teams and the USA National Team Development Program U-17 squad. In two Showcase appearances, Rochester has gone 2–2–3, but the game against USNTDP will count in the standings this year.
Not last year’s Showcase
The Jr. Amerks struggled in past Showcases due to limited junior experience, but this year’s roster is far deeper. With the returns of Owen King and Adam Gionta and the addition of Ryan Flaherty, Rochester enters with more veteran presence than ever before.
Carlstrom’s phenomenal start
Goalie Jensen Carlstrom has started all four games this season, carrying over his stellar postseason form. His 1.52 GAA ranks sixth among NAHL goalies with two or more starts, and he leads the league with 121 saves.
Killing penalties, but not capitalizing
Rochester has been shorthanded 21 times—one of the highest totals in the league—but has killed 20 of them (95.2%). The power play, however, is still looking for its first conversion after 11 opportunities. Both Amarillo and El Paso rank near 88% on the PK, making this an early challenge to solve.
Depth down the board
Fourteen of the 25 rostered players have already recorded points, and production is spread throughout the lineup. Ryan Shaw has three goals in three games, while defenseman Murray Kanerva has one goal and two assists in four games. Against Danbury, all 11 points came from different players, underscoring Rochester’s balanced attack.
