GAME PREVIEW: AMERKS LOOK FOR REDEMPTION IN REMATCH WITH ROCKET
The Amerks host the Laval Rocket for the second straight night
Nov 14, 2026It’s a quick turnaround for the Rochester Americans (7-6-0-1) as they run it back against the North Division-leading Laval Rocket (12-3-1) for back-to-back nights in the Flower City.
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The Amerks had their undefeated record on Friday’s broken, allowing three consecutive goals in the final period to lose 3-1 on home ice. Laval is now winners of four straight, outscoring opponents 18-5 in that stretch as they continue to set the pace in the North Division with 25 points in 16 games played. Prior to the two-game skid, Rochester had only one game where they scored less than two goals back on Oct. 10 in Utica but have now generated one goal in back-to-back performances.
The first Saturday home contest of the season at Blue Cross Arena doubles as Military Appreciation Night inside Blue Cross Arena. The event is presented by NBT Bank supporting the Veterans Outreach Center with the Amerks offering all United States Military Veterans, Retired, Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard service members one complimentary ticket to the game. Veterans and Military Members can pick up their tickets for the game at Veterans Outreach Center, located at 447 South Ave. in downtown Rochester or at the box office.
Pregame coverage on WGR Rochester and AHLTV on FloHockey begins at 5:00 p.m. with puck drop at 5:05 p.m.
Let’s get you ready for tonight’s matchup:
ABOUT LAST NIGHT
After surviving an opening period that was favored by the Rocket as they outshot the Amerks 14-3, both teams went into the locker room with the game scoreless. Rochester looked like a different team coming out of the intermission, tilting the ice in its favor and utilizing three power-plays for additional offensive zone time to give goaltender Matt Villalta a breather following a chaotic first 20 minutes.
Defenseman Vsevolod Komarov netted his first goal of the season seconds after Laval’s penalty expired midway through the frame on a shot from the point that found its way through traffic past Rocket netminder Kevin Mandolese. Carson Meyer and Riley Fiddler-Schultz were credited with the assists on the even strength marker that put Rochester on the board.
Laval entered the night outscoring opponents 25-6 in the final period, making a one-goal lead feel like not enough insurance to close the game out. The Rocket rattled off three goals in a 12-minute span, coming off a defensive zone turnover, a power-play marker, and an empty-netter for good measure. The loss snapped the ‘Merks three-game home winning streak and resulted in Laval’s seventh win a row dating back to last season against their divisional rival.
LAND OF THE FREE
While there’s certainly motivation to respond following last night’s loss, the Amerks are playing for something bigger tonight in the organization’s salute to service. As part of the Military Appreciation festivities, the first 1,500 fans will receive miniature handheld U.S. flags while an additional 2,000 Amerks embroidered canvas keychains will also be distributed upon entry.
The team will wear special jerseys inspired by the U.S. Air Force along with matching socks as a tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces gaining creative inspiration from Rochester’s relationship with the P-40 Warhawk. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase the one-of-a-kind, game-worn jerseys through an online auction on DASH, a sports-focused online auction platform and partner of the Rochester Americans.
To access the auction, visit www.amerks.com/auction or text “DASH” to 66866, click on the download link and install DASH on your mobile device. Fans can then create their own personal profile and select the Amerks as their favorite team to start bidding.
The auction opened this morning at 10 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15. Winners will be contacted directly. Proceeds from the jersey auction will be donated to Veterans Outreach Center.
SPECIAL TEAMS BREAKDOWN
During the Amerks recent three-game win streak, the power-play went an impressive 6-for-12 with multiple man0advantage goals in each matchup. In the two games since against two of the top penalty killers in the league, Rochester is 0-for-11 during that span.
Rochester’s PK was successful in both opportunities during the first period, but allowed the game-winner off the stick of Samuel Poulin in the final 20. When you get six opportunities on the power-play, including a 5-on-3 for less than 40 seconds, chances are you need to convert at least one special teams’ goal to be successful against Laval.