Recap: Elmira Aviators on Nov. 28 and 29
The Rochester Jr. Americans split a hard-fought series last weekend, winning once in overtime but dropping the other game to take two points from the Elmira Aviators.
Rochester came out firing in the first period, logging a staggering 17 shots on goal compared to just nine from Elmira. Unfortunately, the disparity did not translate to goal scoring as each team exited the frame with one goal. The Aviators took an early lead, but forward Ryan Shaw tied the game soon after with his 15th goal of the season. With that score, he became the 12th player in franchise record to reach 15 goals in a season — with more than half of the season left to play.
The Aviators took the lead back midway through the second period and the score held at 2–1 Elmira until the final eight minutes of the final frame. Up to that point, it had been an undisciplined contest, but neither team could capitalize: The squads were a combined 0-for-9 on the powerplay for the first 52 minutes. Finally, on the 10th chance — and sixth for Rochester — Shaw scored his second goal, another game-tyer, to keep the Jr. Amerks in the game.
However, a late goal from Elmira and a 90-second 6-on-5 stand gave the Aviators a close 3–2 win in the opening game of the series.
If game one was defined by strong penalty kills, game two was defined by strong powerplay units. Just one of the 10 powerplays in Friday’s game was converted, but on Saturday, four of the seven chances between the teams found their way into the net.
Forward Stone Rolston was the first to do the honor, striking with 10 seconds left on an early powerplay to give Rochester a 1–0 lead. Elmira would not stay quiet long, though, scoring two of its own before the period ended to take a 2–1 lead into the locker room.
Down after the first period, it was looking like an uphill battle. The Jr. Amerks were just 3–4–0 entering the game when trailing after 20 minutes compared to 11–6–0 when tied or leading. But the powerplay unit was firing on all cylinders and would not let the team stay behind long. Forwards Konner Powell and Ryan Flaherty each scored with a man up in the second frame to give Rochester a 3–2 lead heading into the final period.
After a hooking penalty gave Elmira a powerplay, its unit decided to get into the action and scored to tie the game early in the third. As the clock ticked down, neither team was able to win the game and so it went to overtime.
The teams had only ever matched up in overtime twice before, but both times it went in favor of Elmira. When Rochester took a holding penalty with one minute remaining, it looked like history may repeat itself, but the team was able to survive the scare and went to a shootout for a third time this season.
Forward Keanan Dewberry proved to be the hero, scoring in Rochester’s final attempt after Shaw and forward Owen King had shots saved, and when Elmira missed the tying shot, the Jr. Amerks were victorious for the third time in shootouts this season.
Despite Friday’s loss, it was a motivating win ahead of the first matchup of the year against the New Jersey Titans.
Preview: New Jersey Titans on Dec. 5 and 6
WHERE: Middletown Sports Complex | Middletown, NJ
WHEN: Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. | Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m.
WATCH: NAHL.tv
FOLLOW: @JrAmerksNAHL
History
Aside from the Aviators, last season’s expansion team, the Rochester Jr. Americans have not seen any team less than the New Jersey Titans. In 10 matchups, the teams are split down the middle with five wins apiece, although Rochester has the points advantage with a single overtime loss.
By The Numbers
Rochester
15–10–0 | 30 pts | 4th place | 83 GF | 66 GA | W1 streak
New Jersey
15–7–3 | 33 pts | 3rd place | 76 GF | 66 GA | W5 streak
Stat of the Series
The Titans are the only team in the East Division that the Jr. Amerks have never shutout.
Already in the history books
Ryan Shaw’s season has been nothing short of spectacular. If the season ended today, his 16 goals would land him eighth in Rochester’s single-season goals leaderboard while his 31 points would put him just outside the top 10. Earlier this season, he also tied Massimo Gentile’s record for the fewest games to reach 10 goals, hitting the mark in his 15th game. With 34 games remaining, he is well on his way to shatter Rochester’s single-season goals record and within reach of the single-season points record as well.
Not that far off
Although this season has felt remarkably different than last year, the team is actually not too far off from how it played in the first half of 2024-25. After 25 games this year, the team is 15–10–0 with 30 points, 83 goals scored, a 20% powerplay and 81.1% penalty kill. Last year, the team held a 14–6–5 record with 33 points and 90 goals scored to go along with a 17.6% powerplay and 86.5% penalty kill. Even dating back to 2023-24, the team was middling in the first 25 games, going 13–10–2. Both teams really exploded in the second half, so this year’s squad has plenty of time to find its final form.
Powerplay on a run
After netting three of five powerplay opportunities on Saturday, Rochester is at a season-high 20% success rate with a man advantage. The unit started the season as cold as possible, not scoring for the first time until game five and holding a 6.3% rate through 10 games — 2-for-32. In 15 games since, the team has 17 goals on 63 opportunities, good for a 26.9% mark that has helped bring the team back into contention. Rochester has also scored on the powerplay in each of its last seven games and nine of the last 10.
Close competition
The Titans have been one of the toughest matchups for Rochester despite not being one of the top teams in the division while the Jr. Amerks have been in the NAHL, finishing in fourth and fifth in the last two seasons. Along with the Titans being the only team to never be shut out by the Jr. Amerks, the teams are split dead even with five wins apiece and Rochester holds a mere +3 goal differential. Somewhat confusingly, though, the teams have only played two games that were decided by a single goal, both going in New Jersey’s favor.
Titans go streaking
The Titans are one of the hottest teams in the NAHL right now, so it may be a difficult weekend. New Jersey has won its last five games and has outscored opponents 12–3 in its last three. A few weeks ago, the team beat the dominant Black Bears 4–1, an impressive result against a team that has only lost in regulation three times all year. But even with the streak, New Jersey sits just three points ahead of Rochester with the same amount of wins. A sweep in regulation would allow the Jr. Amerks to jump the Titans and take control of third place.
