The Rochester Americans extended their dominance on the road Saturday night, dispatching the Bridgeport Islanders 6-3 at Total Mortgage Arena, thanks to a two-goal showcase from Mason Jobst. Facing his former team, Jobst spearheaded the offensive surge, pushing the Amerks’ win streak to six games and solidifying their grip atop the North Division.
Rochester’s road presence has been nothing short of commanding. Their current away streak of eight consecutive victories speaks volumes, outscoring opponents 38-16 during the run. This latest triumph keeps them firmly in the driver’s seat with 45 points, leading the pack in their division. The Amerks have now collected points in 14 of their last 15 meetings with Bridgeport, leaving no doubt about their edge over the Islanders.
First Period – A Steady Response
Despite the Islanders’ sluggish season, they came out with vigor after a week’s rest, and Liam Foudy wasted no time capitalizing on the energy. Just three minutes in, he streaked down the ice on a breakaway and found the back of the net with a slick glove-side finish past Felix Sandstrom. The early lead briefly ignited hope for the home crowd.
The Amerks, however, needed little time to recalibrate. By the midway point of the opening frame, Rochester’s forecheck began to bear fruit. A failed clear attempt by Bridgeport landed on the stick of Vsevolod Komarov, who cycled the puck to Kale Clague. The veteran defenseman patiently spotted Jobst in the high slot, and the forward snapped a pinpoint shot past Henrik Tikkanen to even the score at 1-1. Less than three minutes later, Aleksandr Kisakov doubled down, finishing off a crisp transition rush to give Rochester a 2-1 advantage heading into intermission.
Second Period – Special Teams Excellence
Bridgeport briefly reclaimed momentum early in the second when Alex Jeffries struck on a power play, leveling the game at 2-2. But the equalizer was short-lived. Graham Slaggert, ever the opportunist, pounced on a loose puck and blazed down the ice shorthanded, slipping his fifth shorty of the season through Tikkanen’s legs just 54 seconds later.
Jobst then delivered the dagger. Exploiting a costly turnover, he sprinted the length of the ice and wired a shot past Tikkanen for his second goal of the night, chasing the Islanders’ starter after conceding four goals on just 12 shots. Jakub Skarek entered in relief, providing steadiness for Bridgeport, but the damage was done.
William Dufour managed to claw one back for the Islanders, pulling them within a goal after a chaotic net-front scramble. Yet, entering the third, the Amerks still maintained a 4-3 cushion.
Third Period – Defensive Heroics and Icing the Game
Bridgeport pressed relentlessly in the final frame, outshooting Rochester 16-7, but Sandström stood firm. During the Islanders’ fifth power play of the evening, a pivotal moment arrived when Josh Dunne etched his name into the highlight reel with a defensive play that mirrored a goaltender’s instincts. As Sandström lay sprawled and out of position, Dunne lunged to deny Chris Terry’s point-blank chance, preserving the Amerks’ fragile lead.
Bridgeport’s last-gasp effort to force overtime by pulling Skarek for an extra attacker backfired. Lukas Rousek intercepted a clearing attempt and deposited the puck into the vacant net. Moments later, Brett Murray swatted down an airborne puck and fired his 16th goal of the season into the yawning cage, sealing Rochester’s 6-3 victory.
Key Performances and Milestones
Jobst’s two-goal outing marked his second multi-goal effort in three games, reinforcing his hot hand. Kisakov’s goal and assist punctuated his return to the lineup, while Rousek quietly extended his point streak to four games. Murray’s consistent scoring prowess has now placed him among the AHL’s top goal-scorers, and Slaggert’s shorthanded brilliance set a milestone not seen in Rochester since Viktor Gordiouk’s 1994-95 campaign.
Up Next
With the victory in the books, Rochester enjoys a brief respite before returning to Blue Cross Arena next Friday to host the Utica Comets. The weekend slate concludes with a road clash against the Syracuse Crunch, setting the stage for another pivotal stretch in Rochester’s stellar campaign.