In emphatic fashion, the Rochester Americans capped off their season-long five-game road trip, delivering an 8-2 drubbing to the Belleville Senators Saturday night at CAA Arena. Fueled by another balanced offensive outburst, the Amerks extended their winning streak to four games, closing their road trip with a stellar 4-1-0-0 record.
With the win, Rochester improved to 15-8-3-0 on the season and showcased their dominance away from home, tying for the AHL lead with 11 road wins. Over their last seven away games, the Amerks boast an impressive 5-1-1-0 record, including a weekend sweep in Belleville that featured a remarkable 15 goals scored over two games.
Relentless Offense Carries the Day
A dazzling display of offensive depth propelled the Amerks to victory, with 13 skaters recording at least one point and eight delivering multi-point performances. Isak Rosén headlined the effort, scoring twice and adding an assist for a three-point night. Brett Murray and Viktor Neuchev each netted two goals, while Lukas Rousek, Nikita Novikov, Zachary Metsa, Konsta Helenius, and Kale Clague contributed two points apiece.
For Murray, the effort marked his second consecutive multi-goal game as he continues to solidify his role as a go-to scorer for Rochester. Meanwhile, Rosén extended his goal streak to three games, capping a weekend where he firmly established himself as an offensive leader.
Adding to the Amerks’ dominance, their power play came alive, converting three of six opportunities. Special teams have been a significant factor in Rochester’s recent success, with the team registering a power-play goal in three straight games.
First Period: A Quick Start
Rochester wasted no time taking control, converting an early 5-on-3 power-play opportunity to grab the lead. A patient sequence of puck movement ended with Rosén blasting a one-timer past Belleville netminder Leevi Merilainen. Just minutes later, Rosén struck again, deflecting Colton Poolman’s shot into the net to double the lead.
While Belleville briefly responded with a goal from Cole Reinhardt, Rochester’s composure never wavered. The opening period set the tone for a commanding performance.
Second Period: A Mid-Game Surge
The Amerks broke the game open in the second period, scoring three times to pull away. Brett Murray capitalized on a power-play rebound to make it 3-1, and just 34 seconds later, Riley Fiddler-Schultz cleaned up another rebound for his third goal of the season.
Late in the frame, Murray completed his second multi-goal effort in as many nights, finishing a breakaway with a second-chance effort that beat Merilainen. The surge pushed Rochester’s lead to 5-1 and all but sealed the game heading into the final period.
Third Period: Closing Strong
The Amerks continued to press in the final frame, with Viktor Neuchev steering in a back-door feed to further extend the lead. Although Belleville’s Jeremy Davies briefly answered back with a goal, Rochester had the last word. Neuchev struck again in the final minute, assisted by Novikov and Metsa, to punctuate a dominant performance.
Sandström Holds the Fort
In goal, Felix Sandström delivered a steady performance, stopping 29 of 31 shots to earn his fourth win of the season. The Swedish netminder faced consistent pressure early, particularly during the opening period, but stood tall to give his team a solid foundation.
Key Takeaways and Stars of the Night
- Brett Murray and Isak Rosén: Each player tallied multiple goals in consecutive games for the first time in their careers, showcasing their ability to lead the offense.
- Power Play Precision: Rochester went 3-for-6 with the man advantage, continuing their recent special teams success.
- Team Depth: With 13 players recording points, the Amerks proved why they are among the most dangerous teams in the league when rolling all four lines.
What’s Next
The Amerks return home to The Blue Cross Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 18, to kick off a two-game set against the Syracuse Crunch. With momentum from a successful road trip, Rochester will look to continue climbing the North Division standings. Fans can catch the action live on The Sports Leader 95.7 FM/950 AM The Fan Rochester or stream it on AHLTV via FloHockey.
Three Stars of the Game
- Isak Rosén – 2 goals, 1 assist
- Brett Murray – 2 goals
- Felix Sandström – 29 saves
The Amerks’ dominant performance Saturday night solidifies their status as a top contender in the AHL, and their ability to win in a variety of ways bodes well for the rest of the season.