GAME PREVIEW: AMERKS OPEN FEBRUARY WITH PIVOTAL GAME AGAINST SENS
Five things to know as Amerks to carry momentum into final week of homestand
Feb 3, 2026By Andrew Mossbrooks | @ Mossbrooks48
February kicks-off with the Rochester Americans (21-15-4-2) playing the back half of their season-long six-game homestand as they drop the puck against the Belleville Senators (19-19-8-0) Wednesday night at Blue Cross Arena.
Here are five things to note as the calendar flips.
BEARING DOWN
After a 3-1 loss to Hershey Wednesday, the Amerks successfully flipped the script on Hall of Fame Night at Blue Cross Arena, topping the Bears by a similar final in front of over 7,000 fans.
The game was tied 1-1 heading into the third period before Isak Rosén scored the game-winning-goal 57 seconds into the frame. Hershey was limited to 10 shots through the first 40 minutes but applied pressure with 13 shots in the final period.
Devon Levi stood tall with a 22-save performance to secure the win, with Anton Wahlberg providing insurance with an empty-net goal. Riley Fiddler-Schultz began the scoring early in the contest with his 11th of the year just 3:34 into play.
Elsewhere in the North Division, Belleville left Cleveland with one out of four points on the weekend as the Monsters prevailed in a pair of high-scoring affairs. Both games ended in 6-5 finals, with the Sens forcing a point Saturday after trailing 5-2 entering the third period. Belleville’s Jan Janík tied the contest to force overtime, positioning Belleville just two points back of the Amerks for fifth in the division entering play on Wednesday.
ROSTER UPDATE
Following Rosén’s team-leading 20th goal of the season, the Swedish All-Star was recalled to the Sabres. Rochester lost another forward via injury with Red Savage going down in the game against the Bears. He is expected to miss Wednesday’s game.
To provide necessary depth, the Amerks have recalled forward Matteo Costantini from ECHL-Jacksonville. This is the first time all season the Amerks have every AHL and NHL-contracted player on recall from their ECHL affiliate.
Defenseman Vsevolod Komarov could return to the lineup Wednesday after being out with injury since Jan. 3 when he exited a game early against Toronto.
Topias Leinonen has returned to practice with his teammates after last playing for Rochester nearly two months ago, however, head coach Mike Leone indicated the likely next steps for the Amerks goaltender would be to get to Jacksonville to play some games at the ECHL level. A timetable on that has yet to be determined.
FEBRUARY FORECAST
With the AHL All-Star Classic coming next week, the break in the schedule allows for a lighter workload for Rochester. After a 12-game slate to start 2026, the Amerks will play just nine times in February, marking the final month of the season Rochester will not have double-digit game totals.
The front half of the month is vital for the Amerks to capitalize on. Each of the first five games in February come against teams outside of playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. This includes three straight against Utica from Feb. 7-15, whom have the fewest points (32) in the conference and are second-lowest across the AHL.
Six of Rochester’s nine games in the month will be on home ice, while seven of its nine matchups are within the division.
RACE TIGHTENS
Entering Wednesday, six points are all that separates second through sixth in the all-too-close North Division standings. The top five teams will qualify for the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs, likely leaving a team at .500 or better out of the postseason.
Rochester yields the fifth and final spot with 48 points, but Belleville is hot on their tail with 46. This is in large part due to the Senators recent surge. After winning four of 20 games, Belleville has now acquired points in nine of its last 10 games, going 6-1-3-0 since Jan. 10.
Like the Amerks, the Sens have struggled with injuries and call-ups, as only three of their skaters have appeared in every game this season, while Fiddler-Schultz is the lone Amerk with perfect attendance.
Of Rochester’s remaining 30 games, 21 will come against opponents within the division, with 13 of those against teams second through sixth.
THE SEVENTH WITH THE SENS
Wednesday will be the seventh of eight scheduled meetings against Belleville this season. Through a half dozen encounters so far, Rochester owns a 4-1-1-0 record against Ottawa’s AHL affiliate, making it their best record against any team in the North Division.
Each of the last three games against Belleville have gone to overtime, including a pair of games six days apart last month in Belleville. Jack Rathbone and Rosén have game-winners beyond regulation against the Sens, but both are expected out for Wednesday. Arthur Kaliyev scored the overtime-winner in the last meeting on Jan. 16 and leads the AHL with 28 goals this season.
After Wednesday, the lone remaining game against Belleville comes back at Blue Cross Arena later this season on Apr. 3.