AMERKS RALLY IN THIRD, TOP ROCKET IN OVERTIME THRILLER
Fiddler-Schultz records career-high four points, Polin scores twice again in 5-4 win over Laval
Nov 14, 2026Trailing by a goal in the closing minutes of the third period, the Rochester Americans (8-6-0-1) converted on a 5-on-3 power-play opportunity with 1:17 remaining in regulation to force overtime before completing the comeback in the extra frame to cap a thrilling 5-4 win over the first-place Laval Rocket (12-3-2-0) in Saturday’s rematch at Blue Cross Arena.
| GAME SUMMARY | PHOTO GALLERY | POST-GAME REPORT |
With the win, the Amerks earned a weekend split with the AHL’s North Division leaders and snapped a seven-game skid against Laval dating back to last season. The Rocket, by virtue of claiming three out of four points during the weekend set, moved into a two-way tie atop the AHL standings with Grand Rapids.
Riley Fiddler-Schultz factored in on four of Rochester’s five goals on the strength of a career-best four-point (1+3) effort, including the secondary assist on game-winner from Trevor Kuntar 2:13 into overtime. The fourth-year pro now has 11 points (5+6) in 15 games this season, with his entire offensive production this season coming on home ice.
Jason Polin continued his torrid start to the season with his fourth multi-goal effort, increasing his point total to 14, including a team-best nine goals. Polin, who’s scored six of his nine goals on the power-play, has more multi-goal performances in only 15 games this season with the Amerks than he did over 134 contests with the Colorado Eagles.
In addition to Polin scoring twice, rookie Jake Richard (1+1) and Caleb Jones (0+2) each had multi-point nights with Jones now having nine points (2+7) in 11 appearances with the Amerks since being acquired last month.
Matt Villalta earned his second straight start of the weekend, turning aside 28 shots to pick up his league-leading seventh win of the season.
Luke Mittelstadt, the AHL’s leading point-getter, produced a four-assist night for the Rocket, who went 4-for-6 on the power-play. Sasha Pastujov also recorded a natural hat trick, including converting twice on the man-advantage, while veteran forward Alex Belzile rounded out the scoring with a goal and two assists.
Kaapo Kähkönen made 20 saves for Laval, which despite the loss, is 7-1-1-0 on the road this season.
With the game tied 2-2 late in the second period, Fiddler-Schultz’s fifth of the season put the Amerks ahead, but a pair of third-period goals from Pastujov exactly 13 minutes apart would give Laval a 4-3 lead.
Like the Amerks the night before, the Rocket were unable to maintain the lead after back-to-back penalties in the waning minutes afforded Rochester an extended power-play opportunity. The Amerks would capitalize on the ensuing two-man advantage as Polin swatted in a Conor Sheary rebound from atop the crease to ultimately force overtime.
Rochester then carried the momentum into the extra frame, needing only 2:13 to complete the comeback when Kuntar steered in a centering feed from Jones to lift the Amerks to a 5-4 win.
UP NEXT
The Amerks set out on a three-game road swing beginning with a midweek matchup against the Syracuse Crunch on Wednesday, Nov 18. At Upstate Medical University Arena. Opening face-off is slated for a 7 p.m. start and will be carried live on The Sports Leader, WGR Rochester (95.7 FM/950 AM), and streamed on AHLTV on FloHockey.