GAME PREVIEW: AMERKS START NEW YEAR WITH ROAD TILT IN SPRINGFIELD
Jan 2, 2025
By Andrew Mossbrooks | @ Mossbrooks48
It’s a new year, but the Rochester Americans (19-9-3-0) are aiming to bring their winning ways forward as they turn the calendar to 2025. It all starts with a two-game weekend on the road, beginning Friday night in Springfield when the Amerks face-off against the Thunderbirds (13-14-2-1) at MassMutual Center.
Friday marks the first of two meetings against Springfield this season, with the finale coming back to the Flower City on April 2nd. The two teams have split their last five season series, with last year seeing the Amerks fall in a shootout at Springfield, before turning around the following month to win on home ice. Seven of Rochester’s last 16 meetings with the Thunderbirds have been decided by one goal.
LAST TIME OUT
Mason Jobst returned to form to end 2024, scoring a pair of goals including the overtime winner December 28th at Utica as the Amerks emerged from Adirondack Bank Center with a 3-2 win, maintaining first place in the North Division. Kale Clague scored the other Amerks goal, his seventh of the season, to continue as a top five goal-producing blue liner in the AHL this season.
In goal, Felix Sandström improved his personal record above .500 with a 23 save appearance. Through 10 games, the veteran goaltender and first year Amerk is 5-4-1 on the season and has wins in back-to-back starts. The victory gives the Amerks wins in four straight and nine of their last 11 games.
The story has been opposite for Springfield, with the Thunderbirds dropping seven of their last eight games and are coming off consecutive losses in which the opposition scored seven goals. On New Year’s Eve, Springfield was on the wrong side of a 7-0 final in their home building against Hartford. Under new head coach, Steve Konowalchuk, the Thunderbirds are in seventh place in the Atlantic Division, but sit just two points outside playoff positioning.
THAT’S MY CAPTAIN
Jobst’s goals in Utica last weekend saw the sixth-year pro break a career long 22-game goalless drought. Jobst, who was named the 64th captain in franchise history last October, had six points (2+4) since his previous goal which came November 2nd. That said, the veteran forward recorded an MVP season in 2023-24 with 22 goals and 50 points.
The Speedway, Indiana native is in his fourth season with Rochester. His overtime winner in Utica was the captain’s 45th career goal for Rochester, with Jobst amassing 114 points in his team with the red, white, and blue. Jobst ended December with four points (2+2) and went +1 over his last seven games. Last season, Jobst posted two assists in as many games facing the Thunderbirds.
REAPERS OF THE ROAD
For a second straight month, Rochester plays 11 games with seven coming outside the Flower City. The Amerks enter 2025 on a six-game road win streak, having not lost away from home since December 6th in Charlotte. The Amerks lead the AHL in road wins (13) and are the only North Division team with double-digit win totals on the road.
During this win streak on the road, Rochester has outscored their opponents, 27-11. The team’s 27 points collected on the road also leads the AHL, and should the Amerks maintain their current pace, they would finish the 2024-25 campaign with 26 road wins. The most the franchise has ever won away from Blue Cross Arena is 25, doing so twice (1998-99, 2018-19). Clague led Rochester in scoring as a visitor with seven points (3+4) on the road in December.
NOT ALL BIRDS CAN FLY
Springfield’s struggles of late can largely be contributed to goaltending and defense. The St. Louis Blues affiliate have given up the seventh most goals against in the league and third most in the Eastern Conference. Five of their last seven losses have seen the Thunderbirds give up five or more goals. Their penalty kill clocks in at 77.4%; fifth lowest in the AHL. Another aspect that’s been clipping the wings of Springfield is the team’s play on the road, with the Thunderbirds going 3-6-2-1 outside Massachusetts.
On home ice, Springfield is a respectable 10-8-0-0. Rooke prospect Aleksanteri Kaskimaki has been a bright spot for the Thunderbirds, amassing six goals and 22 points, ranking top 10 in rookie scoring. Early in the season, Springfield acquired winger Matt Luff from Charlotte. Since then, Luff leads the Thunderbirds in scoring and has operated at over a point-per-game pace with 19 points (9+10) in 17 games.
While Springfield saw a robust overload of its roster in the offseason, longtime Thunderbird Matthew Peca remains with the team. The 11-year pro is three goals shy of 100 for his AHL career and has 314 points over his 440 AHL games.