AMERKS TAKE DOWN MONSTERS FOR SECOND STRAIGHT WIN
Polin scores twice again, Peca extends point streak in 4-1 win over Cleveland
Nov 4, 2026The Rochester Americans (6-4-0-1) built a 3-0 lead early in the second period on their way to securing a 4-1 win over the Cleveland Monsters (6-5-0-0) Wednesday at Blue Cross Arena.
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With the win, Rochester's second straight, the team has now scored at least three goals in each of its six victories while maintaining a perfect 6-0-0-0 record when leading after two periods.
The Amerks have scored at least one power-play goal in 26 of their last 49 games against Cleveland since the 2020-21 season (32-for-166). Rochester has also successfully killed 66 of its last 73 shorthanded situations over the last 21 games, dating back to the 2023-24 campaign.
Rookie LIAM VALENTE recorded two assists for the first multi-point performance of his professional career, while JASON POLIN (2+0), MATTHEW PECA (0+2) and DENNIS GILBERT (0+2) each recorded two points. PECA extended his point streak to six games, while GILBERT, who returned from a five-game stint with the Buffalo Sabres, recorded his first points as an Amerk. POLIN has multi-goal games in back-to-back contests for the first time as a pro with three of the four being on the man-advantage.
ZAC FUNK and RILEY FIDDLER-SCHULTZ scored their second and fourth goals of the season, respectively. CALEB JONES added a secondary assist, giving him five points in seven games since making his Rochester debut back on Oct. 16.
Goaltender MATT VILLALTA (6-3-1), who carried a shutout into the final half of the third period, stopped 23 of 24 shots to earn the victory. The Godfrey, Ontario, native leads all AHL goaltenders in wins (six) and saves (223) while posting a 2.00 goals-against average, which ranks eighth in the league.
Oiva Keskinen scored his second goal of the season for Cleveland, which has now lost three of its last four games. Netminder Evan Gardner (3-2-0) made his fifth appearance of the season, stopping 20 shots in the loss.
UP NEXT
The Amerks close out their four-game homestand on Friday, Nov. 6, when they host the Hartford Wolf Pack for the only time this season. The 7:05 p.m. matchup will be broadcast live on The Sports Leader, WGR Rochester (95.7 FM/950 AM), and streamed on AHLTV on FloHockey.