The Rochester Americans delivered a commanding performance on Friday night, earning a 7-4 victory over the Belleville Senators in the first of a back-to-back series at the CAA Arena. Powered by six multi-point performances and a stellar showing from goaltender Devon Levi, the Amerks continue to assert themselves as a force in the AHL’s North Division.
With the win, Rochester improved to 14-8-3-0 on the season, marking their 10th road victory—the second-highest in the league. The team has now earned points in 16 of their last 21 games, a stretch showcasing their resilience and depth.
Offensive Explosion
Rochester’s balanced attack saw contributions from across the lineup, with Brett Murray leading the charge. The forward recorded two goals, including a pinpoint wrist shot to open the scoring just five minutes into the game. His physical presence and scoring touch set the tone early for the Amerks, who would not relinquish their momentum.
Joining Murray on the scoresheet, Lukas Rousek, Tyson Kozak, and Kale Clague each contributed a goal and an assist, while Isak Rosén added a goal and Konsta Helenius chipped in with two assists. Brendan Warren sealed the victory with a shorthanded goal, a moment emblematic of Rochester’s relentless two-way effort.
Levi Extends Winning Streak
Between the pipes, Devon Levi extended his personal win streak to six games with another standout performance. The second-year goaltender stopped 27 of 31 shots, including a critical breakaway save on Maxence Guenette in the third period that preserved Rochester’s two-goal lead. Since November 29, Levi has been nearly unbeatable, boasting a .938 save percentage, a 1.48 goals-against average, and two shutouts.
Game Recap
First Period
The Amerks jumped out to an early lead when Murray capitalized on a feed from Mason Jobst and Viktor Neuchev. Belleville responded with a power-play goal from Angus Crookshank, but Rochester reclaimed the lead on their own man-advantage opportunity, as Rosén’s sharp-angle shot deflected into the net. The Senators tied it again late in the period with a blast from Zach MacEwen, setting the stage for an explosive second frame.
Second Period
Rochester and Belleville traded quick goals to start the second, with Rousek and Keean Washkurak finding the back of the net. The Amerks took control midway through the period, scoring twice in five minutes. Clague converted a rebound in front, and Kozak’s high-slot snipe gave Rochester a 5-3 lead heading into the final period.
Third Period
Levi came up big early in the third, thwarting Guenette on a shorthanded breakaway. Moments later, Kozak turned a defensive zone block into an odd-man rush, setting up Warren for a highlight-reel finish to double Rochester’s lead. Despite Crookshank’s second power-play goal of the night, Rosén sealed the win with an empty-netter in the final minute.
Milestones and Momentum
The game marked significant milestones for the Amerks. Defenseman Ethan Prow played in his 200th game with Rochester, while captain Mason Jobst skated in his 250th AHL contest. Brett Murray recorded the seventh multi-goal game of his career, and Brendan Warren notched his second career shorthanded tally.
The Amerks’ special teams were pivotal, with the power play converting at 50% (1-for-2) and the penalty kill holding strong in crucial moments, going 2-for-4.
Looking Ahead
The Amerks close out their five-game road trip on Saturday night with a rematch against the Senators at 7:00 PM. Rochester will look to build on their success and continue climbing the North Division standings.
Three Stars of the Game
- Brett Murray (ROC) – 2 goals, offensive catalyst
- Angus Crookshank (BEL) – 2 goals, strong power-play presence
- Kale Clague (ROC) – 1 goal, 1 assist, defensive anchor
With their depth on full display, the Rochester Americans are proving to be a formidable contender as they hit their stride in the AHL season. Fans can catch the action live on 95.7 FM/950 AM The Fan Rochester or via AHLTV on FloHockey.