WEEKEND PREVIEW: In-state rivals clash for first time in over two months as Aviators travel to Rochester
After picking up a series split in Johnstown, the Elmira Aviators (16-20-5-3) are heading back on the road to take on their in-state rivals, the Rochester Jr. Americans (29-14-0-0).
Elmira should look to leave it all on the ice this weekend. After the series concludes in Rochester on Saturday, the Aviators will have nine days before their next game. It’s the longest break between games Elmira will have for the rest of the regular season.
The Jr. Americans are strong opponents, Rochester is a tough place to play, but that hasn’t deterred the Aviators from upsetting their rivals in the past. Here’s what to watch for in the purple and black’s first visit to Rochester in 2026.
NOT ALL ABOUT THE STANDINGS
In all five previous series between the Jr. Americans and Aviators, the squads have sat at the opposite end of the standings. That has not deterred the competitiveness of the matchups.
Rochester has taken six of the ten meetings, five have been one-goal games and three have gone to overtime or a shootout.
Elmira’s largest margin of victory and first shutout in club history occurred simultaneously when the Aviators smashed the Jr. Americans 6-0 in Rochester back in November of 2024.
In the one prior series this season, the teams split the set with Elmira taking three of four points. The Aviators took Game 1 3-2 before the Jr. Americans rallied back to win 4-3 in a shootout in Game 2.
Yianni Koukouves scored three goals in that series for Elmira, including the game-winner in the Friday game. Now, Koukouves skates for the Jr. Americans. He was sent to Rochester in a trade for Corson Maguire and two tenders.
No matter who is suited up on either side, Elmira and Rochester always deliver exciting, competitive matchups. With the ability to empty the tank ahead of an extended break, the Aviators should give the Jr. Americans all they can handle this weekend.
THE JR. AMERICANS
The defending East Division regular-season and playoff champions, the Jr. Americans, are as talented and successful as they come. While the Maryland Black Bears’ dominance this season will likely prevent Rochester from repeating in the regular season, the Jr. Americans are still one of the favorites to come out of the East.
Recently, Rochester has hit a bit of a plateau though, splitting each of its last three series.
Despite picking up recent splits, the Jr. Americans hardly ever get swept. Rochester has not been swept in a series since late October, and in 20 series, the Jr. Americans have only been swept twice overall.
Rochester has the benefit of having one of the most experienced goaltenders in the NAHL. Florian Wade is in his fourth season in the league. He has been with Rochester for all three seasons of the club’s existence and has 70 career games played.
This season, Wade has an impressive 15-5-0-0 record with a 2.11 GAA, good for third best in the entire league. However, like in a lot of facets of this rivalry, preconceived notions go out the window when the Jr. Americans meet the Aviators.
Against Elmira Wade is winless with a 0-2-1-0 record, 4.36 GAA and .809 save percentage.
On the offensive side, the Jr. Americans boast an impressive amount of depth. Rochester has seven players with double-digit goals this season, tied with Maryland for the most in East Division.
The Jr. Americans are 6-2-1-1 all time against the Aviators and 3-1-0-0 at the Rochester Ice Center. The last series in Rochester was the least competitive pair of games between the Aviators and Jr. Americans as the red, white and blue cruised to 5-1 and 5-0 victories in March of last year.
Like many times before in this rivalry, Elmira will need to buck the trends to steal the series in Rochester.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Rochester: Yianni Koukouves (‘05 F)
Just a few short weeks ago Koukouves was traded from Elmira to Rochester for Corson Maguire and two tenders. Since, Koukouves has skated in four games amassing one point with bottom-six minutes.
Still, Koukouves is a great leader who often rises to the occasion. He will have some extra juice facing off against his former squad for the first time this weekend.
Rochester will hope that Koukouves finds his footing and perhaps his first goal as a Jr. American against the Aviators.
Elmira: Corson Maguire (‘05 F)
Elmira’s acquisition in the trade with Rochester has hit the ground running. Maguire has a point in all four games as an Aviator so far.
Last weekend, Maguire scored his first two goals in purple and black, registering a game-tying tally on both occassions. Maguire has fit in with the Aviators as a talented player in transition with a knack for scoring on the rush.
Elmira will hope Maguire can keep up his hot start with a little extra motor against his old team this weekend.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Fans can track all the exciting action by streaming the games on NATV or listening live on WINGZ93.
Game 1 is Friday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m. and Game 2 is Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. Fans can also keep tabs on the games by following the Aviators on social media @Elmiraaviatorsnahl.
Mac Young is the play-by-play voice of the Elmira Aviators. To contact him, email [email protected].