The Rochester Americans (22-9-3-0), the hottest team in the AHL, take their winning streak on the road Saturday night as they face off against the Syracuse Crunch (15-11-5-3) at Upstate Medical University Arena. It’s the fifth of 12 meetings this season between these North Division rivals, with Rochester holding a 3-1-0-0 edge in the series.
The Amerks’ last visit to Syracuse on November 30 was a thrilling affair, as rookie Viktor Neuchev sealed a dramatic 3-2 shootout victory after the team clawed back from a 2-0 deficit. Saturday’s showdown promises to deliver another electrifying chapter in this fierce rivalry.
Riding High: Amerks on a Seven-Game Tear
Rochester is coming off an impressive 5-1 home victory Friday night against the Utica Comets, a game that saw them erase an early deficit with five unanswered goals. Lukas Rousek and Mason Jobst led the charge, each posting a goal and an assist, while Devon Levi stood tall in net, stopping 29 shots.
The Amerks’ power play was pivotal, going 2-for-8 on the night. Special teams remain a strength for Rochester, with Anton Wahlberg and Jobst both finding the back of the net on the man advantage. The victory extended Rochester’s overall win streak to seven games—their longest since 2009—and bolstered their dominance at Blue Cross Arena.
Meanwhile, Syracuse suffered a narrow 3-2 loss to the Toronto Marlies on Friday, marking their third straight defeat. Despite the setback, the Crunch have earned points in seven of their last ten outings, showing resilience in a tightly contested North Division.
Road Warriors: Amerks Shine Away from Home
The Amerks’ dominance isn’t confined to their home ice. Their eight-game road win streak, the longest for the franchise in over 20 years, has been a hallmark of their season. Rochester has been unstoppable away from Blue Cross Arena since December 7, outscoring opponents 70-45 during this run. With a 15-3-1-0 road record, the Amerks lead the AHL in road victories and points.
At this pace, Rochester could surpass their franchise record for road wins in a season, set at 25 by the 2018-19 and 1998-99 squads. A ninth consecutive road victory on Saturday would push the Amerks even closer to this historic milestone.
New Faces, Same Mission
Friday marked the Amerks debut for Jagger Joshua, a physical power forward acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Though his first outing saw him finish with a -1 rating and four penalty minutes, Joshua brings a gritty edge to the lineup that complements Rochester’s high-octane offense.
The 25-year-old Michigan native is no stranger to making an impact. During his rookie season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Joshua tallied 10 goals and racked up 93 penalty minutes, finishing third among AHL rookies in the latter category. His addition bolsters an Amerks roster that’s already firing on all cylinders.
Crunch Counter: Khaira Adds Veteran Presence
On the other side of the ice, the Crunch are looking to rebound and have a new weapon of their own in veteran forward Jujhar Khaira. The 30-year-old made his Syracuse debut Friday, scoring late to narrow the gap against Toronto. With over 300 NHL games under his belt, Khaira’s wealth of experience is a valuable asset for a Crunch team navigating a challenging stretch.
Khaira’s journey back to the ice after missing the first half of the season due to injury has been nothing short of inspiring. His physicality and playmaking ability could be a game-changer as Syracuse seeks to close the gap in the standings.
Game On: What to Watch
Saturday’s game isn’t just a battle for points; it’s a showcase of two teams with contrasting styles. Rochester’s high-flying offense, led by key contributors like Rousek and Wahlberg, squares off against a Syracuse squad that thrives on grit and resilience.
Maintaining discipline and capitalizing on special teams will be key for the Amerks, particularly against a Crunch team eager to halt their losing skid. Meanwhile, Syracuse will lean on the veteran presence of Khaira and the home-ice advantage of Upstate Medical University Arena to neutralize Rochester’s momentum.
With playoff implications looming large in the North Division, this matchup is more than just a rivalry—it’s a critical test of two teams fighting to assert their dominance as the second half of the season unfolds.
Stay tuned to Sabres Insight for post-game analysis, player insights, and more coverage of the Rochester Americans’ thrilling 2024-25 campaign.