GAME PREVIEW: AMERKS ENTER THIRD MEETING IN TWO WEEKS AGAINST CRUNCH
The season series is tied with both teams picking up home victories
Oct 23, 2026By Griffin Della Penna | @GriffinDP_
After playing inside Upstate Medical University Arena less than a week ago, the Rochester Americans (3-3-0-1) will have the third and final meeting of October on Friday evening against the Syracuse Crunch (3-4).
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Both squads are coming off losses on Wednesday against North Division foes, as the Amerks comeback attempt fell short against Utica in a 5-3 defeat and Laval took care of business by way of a 5-1 victory to pick up their sixth straight win.
Coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. on WGR Rochester and AHLTV on FloHockey before puck drop at 7:05 p.m.
The I-90 rivalry is split through two meetings with both teams earning wins on home ice. Syracuse overcame a two-goal deficit this past Saturday, defeating Rochester 4-2 to snap a three-game losing streak. Earlier this month, three power-play goals in the second period proved what the Amerks potential can be this season in a 7-1 statement win over the Crunch on Oct. 10. The season series will take a nearly month-long pause before being renewed on Wednesday, Nov. 18 and will feature three additional matchups before the calendar flips to 2027.
Here is everything you need to know heading into tonight’s game between the Amerks and Crunch:
ONTO THE NEXT
Head coach Michael Leone believes that Rochester’s back-to-back losses boils down to one thing: compete.
Prior to Wednesday’s loss to Utica, Leone mentioned how he loved his team’s game other than in the second period against the Crunch where they saw a two-goal lead vanish last weekend. That trend continued in the middle frame versus the Comets on Wednesday, allowing two shorthanded markers and having to dig out of a 4-0 hole.
Instead of harping on the negative, you’ll see quickly that I’d much rather be optimistic. It was a great side to see the Amerks not just go through the motions after going down four against Utica. Caleb Jones netted his first goal with the organization in the final minute of the second period before Aidan McDonough and Riley Fiddler-Schultz also found the back in the net, making it the first time all season that Rochester had multiple goals in the final 20 minutes.
Fiddler-Schultz mentioned post-practice Thursday how there is a balance between holding themselves accountable for the lapses in play but also putting into perspective that they play 72 games in the AHL for a reason. You’re not expected to have all the kinks worked out in October, and there still has been lots to build off through the Amerks first seven game sample size. No need to press the panic button!
CRUNCH COMEBACK?
Syracuse is another team that has shown they’re mortality, putting together back-to-back victories before receiving a reality check in a 5-1 defeat in Laval. It was evident how Saturday’s win against Rochester was a sigh of relief for Crunch players and coaches in comeback fashion to snap a three-game skid.
Head coach Joel Bouchard said in the locker room in a video that the team posted on social media, how frustrating it’s been at time this season and how they’ve questioned why they haven’t had the same success compared to recent seasons.
Being able to tilt the ice in your favor after a lackluster opening period at home is a skill that demonstrates Syracuse is still a force to be reckoned with. They also rose to the occasion against the Hammers on Sunday, building a 3-0 lead just six minutes into regulation until Hamilton responded with a run to tie the game at three in the third. The Crunch penalty kill went a perfect 9-9 and shifted momentum in their favor until Lucas Mercuri tacked on the game-winner with five minutes to go.
Even following a lopsided 5-1 loss in Laval, Syracuse appears to be headed in the right direction which makes tonight that much more intriguing.
LAST ROAD GAME FOR A WHILE
The Amerks open a four-game homestand beginning next Wednesday, with three of the opponents representing the Atlantic Division (Hershey, Lehigh Valley, and Hartford).
It’s important for this group to take care of business inside Blue Cross Arena, but they also want to be a force as the visitors.
Rochester currently ranks 23rd in the AHL on the power-play (3-22) and 25th on the penalty kill (14-19) on the road, compared to being in the top 10 in those categories at home. The 4-1 win over Hamilton a week ago was arguably the best complete effort for Rochester away from Blue Cross Arena, so let’s see if the team can remain unbeaten on Friday’s later tonight.