GAME PREVIEW: SENS AND AMERKS GET TOGETHER FOR MIDWEEK MATCHUP
Five things to know as Rochester faces Belleville in round 2 of 8 this season
Nov 12, 2025Ahead of the team’s three-game road trip, the Rochester Americans (8-5-0-0) briefly return home to host the Belleville Senators (5-6-1-0) Wednesday night at Blue Cross Arena.
Here are five things to know before the midweek matchup.
SOUR TASTE IN THE SWEETEST PLACE
Trevor Kuntar scored his third goal in two games, but it would be Rochester’s only conversion Sunday evening as the team dropped a 2-1 final in Hershey against the Bears. Topias Leinonen made 19 saves in his third start of the season, falling to 1-2-0 on the year as Hershey’s Alex Suzdalev broke a 1-1 tie on a two-on-one in the third period.
Seven of Rochester’s last eight regular season games against the Bears have been decided by one goal, including each of the last five, which have all been won by Hershey.
The Amerks went scoreless on the man-advantage, though the team was afforded just one power-play. It was the only power-play the Amerks have had over their last eight periods played at Hershey. The team has dropped consecutive road games for the first time this season, previously falling 5-2 to Laval to open the month of November.
Belleville enters the week coming off a three-in-three weekend where the club posted a 1-2-0-0 mark. The Senators’ lone win was a 2-1 final against Hartford on Saturday, sandwiched between a pair of North Division losses to Utica and Laval.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER
Tonight is meeting two of eight on the season between the Amerks and Senators, with Belleville making its first of four visits to the Flower City. Two weeks ago, the Amerks paid a visit to CAA Arena in Belleville, dropping the Senators by a 4-1 score.
Red Savage got the scoring started with his first AHL goal in the opening period. Anton Wahlberg would be credited with the game-winning goal, while Isak Rosén, who has since been recalled to Buffalo, and Jake Leschyshyn each found the back of the net as well. Devon Levi stood tall with 23 saves to secure the win, making several key stops on the penalty kill, which boasted a five-for-six mark on the night.
Philippe Daoust scored Belleville’s only goal on the night, with Hunter Shepard, the former Hershey goaltender and two-time Calder Cup Champion, made 35 saves in defeat. Shepard has lost three consecutive starts in regulation for the third time in his AHL career spanning parts of six seasons.
CALLING ALL CARS(ON)
It is expected that forward Carson Meyer will make his Rochester Americans’ debut Wednesday night at Blue Cross Arena. Meyer, 28, began the season on the Buffalo Sabres roster, but was continuing to nurse an injury sustained during last season that required surgery.
The sixth-year pro signed a two-year, two-way contract with Buffalo over the offseason after spending four of his first five pro seasons under the Columbus Blue Jackets umbrella. There, Meyer appeared in 41 NHL games, posting six points (2+4). His AHL numbers display at 65 goals with 66 assists through 201 contests, largely with Cleveland. Last season, the Powell, Ohio native played for San Diego, amassing 21 points (9+12) over 29 games before his season ended abruptly February 15th.
Meyer saw Belleville plenty during his first tour of duty in the North Division, scoring three goals and nine points over 13 games against the Senators.
CUT SLAGGS SOME SLACK
As the Amerks continue to ice a roster shortened by call-ups, the need for depth scoring remains. Fourth-year pro Graham Slaggert nearly netted his first of the season Sunday in Hershey, but was denied on a breakaway at the last second. The South Bend, Indiana, native has appeared in every game for the Amerks to start the year, making him one of eight forwards to do so.
Slaggert has three assists on the season, but his 13-game goal-less drought is the longest of the 26-year-old’s career. In his first season as an Amerk during the 2023-24 campaign, Slaggert’s first of the year came against Belleville. Of his 18 goals wearing a Rochester jersey, three have been against the Sens, a team Slaggert has played more than any opponent outside New York State.
Slaggert is coming off a career season with 24 points (12+12), including five shorthanded goals, which were the most by an Amerk in three decades. The forward finished in a tie for the league lead in shorthanded conversions last season.
THE BELL BEHIND BELLEVILLE
Former enforcer David Bell enters his third season at the helm as coach of the Senators. Bell enjoyed a seven-year playing career as a journeyman, skating for nine teams across four leagues, most notably the ECHL.
In 435 professional games, Bell logged 1,188 penalty minutes. That number exceeds each of his team’s total penalty minutes over his first two seasons as head coach, with last year’s group accruing 1,043 PIM and the previous season’s Senators reaching 1,035.