GAME PREVIEW: HOLIDAY HOMESTAND CONTINUES AGAINST COMETS
Five things to know Amerks put six-game point streak on the line
Dec 16, 2025By Andrew Mossbrooks | @ Mossbrooks48
As the holidays near, the Rochester Americans (14-9-2-1) continue their four-game homestand at Blue Cross Arena Wednesday night when they face-off against the Utica Comets (5-14-3-1).
Here are five things to know going into round four of 10 between the intrastate foes.
POINTING IT OUT
Carson Meyer scored the lone goal for Rochester in the 2-1 shootout loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the team’s most recent game on Saturday night. The shootout lasted eight rounds with Devon Levi surrendering just one goal in the breakaway challenge following a stellar 38-save performance through 65 minutes.
While the Amerks ended things on the wrong side of the scoreboard, the team was able to keep their point streak intact, extending it to six games, going 3-0-2-1 in the process. The Amerks have the longest active point streak in the Eastern Conference second overall only to Grand Rapids. Rochester enters plays Wednesday tied for second in the North Division.
Utica enters the midweek matchup having dropped back-to-back games in regulation, with the most recent being a 3-2 loss to Springfield Saturday night. The Thunderbirds broke a 2-2 tie near the midway point of the third period and Utica was unable to find the answer despite ending the game leading in shots, 34-21. The Comets have just one road win this season, which came against the Amerks in their most recent matchup by way of a 4-3 decision in overtime earlier this month.
ROSÉN RETURNS
Forward Isak Rosén is expected back in the Amerks lineup after another brief call-up to the Buffalo Sabres. The 22-year-old has scored seven points (3+4) in 12 games as a Sabre this season after playing 15 games with the team over the previous three years. As an Amerk, the Swedish winger has been dominant, amassing nine goals and 18 points in 13 games for the red, white, and blue.
Rosén netted two goals against the Comets two weeks ago, including his team-leading fifth power-play goal of the season. The fourth-year pro has banked points in a career-high nine straight games for the Amerks, compiling 13 points (6+7) over that span.
In over 200 AHL games played, the two-time AHL All-Star has produced his second-highest point totals against Utica, notching 29 points and a single-team high of 17 goals against.
LESCHYSHYN EYEING RETURN
Wednesday could see the return of forward Jake Leschyshyn, who has been week-to-week with the Amerks due to a lower-body injury since Nov. 26 in a game against Cleveland. The veteran center is fourth on the team with eight goals and has produced 11 points thus far in his first season as an Amerk.
Including time in the NHL, Leschyshyn has skated in more than 300 professional games. Over parts of eight AHL seasons, the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, native has collected 115 points (58+57).
The 26-year-old was selected in the second round by the Vegas Golden Knights in the team’s inaugural draft in 2017.
FIRST CLASS
The Amerks skate into their 27th game of the season having already scored 89 goals, which is tied for second-most in the AHL. The tilt back on Dec. 6 marked the completion of the first third of Rochester’s historic 70th season. The team hit the one-third point in the campaign only a point shy from where they were at the same stage of last season.
Currently, the Amerks are tied for second in goals and shots, while leading the Eastern Conference in power-play efficiency at 26.5%. The Amerks have been masters at drawing penalties as well, with the team ranked first in power-play opportunities at 113.
More than a dozen different Amerks have already reached double-digits in point totals. Four players have eight or more goals, while six skaters have nine or more assists. All 27 skaters the club has used this season have notched at least one point and each of the team's 18 forwards have also scored one goal.
Development has remained the name of the game as well, with eight different Amerks seeing time in both Rochester and Buffalo this season.
LOST IN SPACE
Utica was unable to carry its momentum over from the win over Rochester back on Dec. 3 as the team continues to struggle heading into the holidays. The Comets have won three of their last 10 whilst continuing to score the fewest goals in the league at only 49 through 23 games.
It’s gone from bad to worse for the New Jersey Devils’ AHL affiliate with leading scorer Xavier Parent earning his first call-up to the big club, leaving the club with rookie Lenni Hämeenaho as its top goal-scorer with six goals and eight points.
Nico Daws trails only Devon Levi in minutes played across the Eastern Conference at 904:19 and 15 games played. The German-born prospect has earned the Comets points in three of his last four outings.
Time could still be on the side of Utica despite its negatively lopsided results thus far as the Comets and Cleveland Monsters have multiple games in hand on every other team in the North Division.