GAME PREVIEW: ROCHESTER LOOKS TO SWEEP OPENING WEEKEND
The Amerks hit the road for the first time in the 2026-27 AHL season against the Belleville Senators on Sunday
Oct 4, 2026By Griffin Della Penna | @GriffinDP_
Following a 3-1 victory on opening night, the Rochester Americans look to replicate that success for their first road contest of the season against the Belleville Senators. Face-off is slated for 3:00 p.m. while the pregame show begins at 2:55 p.m. on WGR Rochester.
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Belleville dropped its home opener inside CIBC Arena (previously named CAA Arena) 5-2 to the Hamilton Hammers. Friday’s win resulted in the first for the AHL’s newest franchise, utilizing three power-play goals in seven attempts as the Hammers spoiled the Senator’s 10th-year anniversary celebration.
Let’s talk about what you should be looking out for in the first of six matchups against versus the Senators:
SUCCESS IN “BELLEVEGAS”
The location of this North Division matchup has been pivotal between these two organizations. In the last five years, Rochester has produced a 11-7-2-1 record when visiting Belleville. However, the Amerks are 7-9-1-2 during that same stretch when facing the Sens at home.
Since the beginning of the 2024-25, the red, white, and blue have registered at least a point in “Bellevegas,” including a 3-0-1 mark in 2025-26. Last year’s season series opener against the Sens came on Oct. 29 at CIBC Arena, resulting in a 4-1 Amerks win.
ROOMIES FIRST PRO POINTS
In Friday’s victory over Toronto, rookies Gavin McCarthy and Jake Richard both generated their first points of their professional careers. Late in the second period, McCarthy ripped a shot from the right point that went past Marlies goaltender Samuel Hlavaj to put Rochester up 2-0.
Richard was net-front and raised his hands in celebratory fashion unsure if he potentially deflected it into the net. It wasn’t until the beginning of the third period that off-ice officials credited the goal to Richard instead after video review revealed the puck redirect off his left skate. The Jacksonville, Florida, native became the first Amerk to score in his pro debut since Liam Valente last season against Providence in April.
Nevertheless, it was almost more special for the former Muskegeon Lumberjack teammates in the USHL to produce points on the same play. The duo remained close throughout their respective collegiate careers and spent the majority of this summer living at the McCarthy household while training in Buffalo.
HOMECOMING FOR VILLALTA
Following his 35-save performance Friday night in his Rochester debut, Matt Villalta now gets to play in front of friends are family. The Kingston, Ontario, native played his first seven professional seasons out west with the Ontario Reign and Tucson Roadrunners. Fast-forward to today and Villalta gets to return to a rink he played at growing up less than an hour from where he grew up. Expect some extra fans cheering on Rochester's new netminder for all three trips to Belleville this season.