The Rochester Americans (19-9-3-0) are primed to carry their dominance into the new year as they embark on a two-game road trip, starting with a pivotal matchup against the Springfield Thunderbirds (13-14-2-1) at the MassMutual Center. Puck drop is set for 7:05 PM, with the Amerks looking to maintain their grip on first place in the AHL’s North Division.
A Rivalry Rekindled
Friday marks the season’s first meeting between these two teams, with their second scheduled for April 2nd in Rochester. Historically, the Amerks and Thunderbirds have been evenly matched, splitting their last five-season series. Rochester has emerged victorious in seven of their last 16 encounters by a single goal, underlining the razor-thin margins that often decide these battles.
The Thunderbirds, currently sitting seventh in the Atlantic Division, are clawing for playoff positioning. Despite a challenging start under new head coach Steve Konowalchuk, they remain only two points shy of a playoff spot. For the Amerks, a win would extend their road dominance and further solidify their position atop the division standings.
Dominance on the Road
Rochester enters 2025 as the AHL’s premier road team, boasting a league-best 13 road wins and a six-game streak away from Blue Cross Arena. Their last road loss came nearly a month ago, on December 6th in Charlotte. This remarkable run has been powered by an impressive 27-11 goal differential during their current streak.
Kale Clague, one of the league’s top-scoring defensemen, has been instrumental in the Amerks’ success on the road. In December, his seven points (3+4) led all Amerks players on opposing ice, further solidifying his reputation as an offensive force from the blue line.
Amerks Look to Build on Momentum
The Amerks are coming off a thrilling overtime win in Utica on December 28th, where Mason Jobst’s heroics snapped a 22-game goalless drought. The captain’s two-goal performance, including the game-winner, capped off a gritty performance for Rochester. Clague added his seventh goal of the season, while goaltender Felix Sandstrom secured the victory with 23 saves. Sandström, now 5-4-1 on the season, has won back-to-back starts and looks to maintain his strong form in Springfield.
Rochester has won four straight games and nine of their last 11, a testament to their resilience and depth. As they aim for their seventh consecutive road win, the Amerks will look to continue their balanced attack and disciplined play, which have been key to their success.
Springfield’s Struggles
For Springfield, recent games have been marred by defensive lapses and inconsistent goaltending. The Thunderbirds have surrendered the seventh-most goals in the league and have struggled to contain high-scoring opponents. Over their last seven losses, Springfield has allowed at least five goals in five contests, including a 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Hartford on New Year’s Eve.
Despite these challenges, the Thunderbirds have bright spots in rookie forward Aleksanteri Kaskimaki and midseason acquisition Matt Luff. Kaskimaki ranks among the league’s top rookie scorers, while Luff has been Springfield’s most productive player since his arrival, tallying 19 points in 17 games. Veteran Matthew Peca, a consistent presence for the Thunderbirds, remains three goals shy of 100 for his AHL career.
Keys to the Game
For Rochester, the formula for success lies in continuing their road dominance and leveraging their special teams. The Amerks’ penalty kill ranks among the league’s best, a sharp contrast to Springfield’s struggling unit, which ranks in the bottom five. Rochester’s ability to capitalize on opportunities and limit Springfield’s offensive weapons could prove decisive.
The Thunderbirds will aim to regroup on home ice, where they’ve been markedly better with a 10-8-0-0 record. With playoff hopes still alive, Springfield will look to slow down the Amerks’ high-powered attack and take advantage of their own offensive standouts.
A New Year, Same Goals
As the calendar turns, the Rochester Americans are setting the tone for 2025 with a continuation of their winning ways. With a blend of veteran leadership, emerging stars, and strong goaltending, the Amerks are poised to remain a dominant force in the AHL. The road to the Calder Cup may still be long, but this team is proving they have the tools to make a deep playoff run.