TACO BELL WRAP-UP: AMERKS RALLY FOR POINTS IN BACK-TO-BACK GAMES
Rochester remains in playoff positioning after three-game homestand
Feb 23, 2026By Andrew Mossbrooks | @ Mossbrooks48
The Rochester Americans (24-17-5-3) faced two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference last week, forcing a shootout against the Charlotte Checkers Wednesday before getting to overtime with the first place-Laval Rocket on Friday.
As a result, the Amerks secured two points over their three-game homestand as they hit the final quarter of the 2025-26 regular season in playoff positioning.
DOWN BUT NOT OUT
On Wednesday, the Amerks trailed the Checkers 2-0 late in the middle period before Jake Leschyshyn managed to get a puck through with 12 seconds to play in the frame to give the Amerks life. The late second-period goal was followed by an early conversion in the third from rookie forward Matteo Costantini to help Rochester rally to eventually force overtime, then a shootout in what would be a 3-2 win for Charlotte.
Two nights later, the Amerks survived a 21-shot onslaught in the second period from Laval, with Devon Levi stopping every one he faced in the middle frame to keep Rochester trailing by just a 2-1 score. That set the stage for Isak Rosén to score his team-leading 25th goal of the season in the front half of the period three to help the Amerks yet again reach overtime. Like Wednesday, it would be the visiting team getting the last laugh with a 3-2 win past regulation, but the Amerks managed to hold their own against the two clubs that reached the Eastern Conference Finals a season ago.
Levi played a significant role in both, getting credit for 64 saves on the week. The 24-year-old will enter the final week of February as the only goaltender to have faced 1,000 shots on the season, making an AHL-best 913 saves.
FEELING BLUE AT BLUE CROSS
With 23 games left in their season, the Amerks are still searching for a winning formula on home ice. The team carries a 10-10-3-2 record through 25 games at Blue Cross Arena this season. The struggles of late have seen the team post a 3-7-2-2 record on home ice since the start of December.
The crowds haven’t faltered, though, including a boisterous collection of 7,483 Amerks fans on hand for Friday’s 90’s Night celebration. The team also had one of its larger midweek crowds of the season with 4,325 fans on hand for Wednesday’s Sensory and Accessibility Night.
Only 11 regular-season games remain to be played in downtown Rochester, though four of the Amerks’ next five games come outside the Flower City. The team yields a 14-7-2-1 road record.
PERFECT PK
Discipline has been the name of the game for the bulk of the season with Rochester, as the Amerks have the sixth-fewest penalty minutes in the AHL. When an Amerk has been sent to the box, the quartet of players left on the ice have been getting the job done.
Rochester’s penalty kill was seldom tested over the past two games, but still came out perfect, turning aside two power-plays against in each of their games this past week. Since Jan. 19, Rochester has surrendered only two power-play goals against in a 12-game span, going 33-for-35, clicking at an astounding 94.2% success rate.
Overall this season, the Amerks have jumped to owning the ninth-best penalty kill in the league. Their power-play has been terrific as well, leading the Eastern Conference with a 25.3% mark.
COMING UP NEXT
Rochester plays three games in three different cities over a five-day span, beginning Wednesday night in Cleveland against the Monsters. From there, the Amerks will return home to host Laval for a second consecutive Friday, before being idle Saturday and beginning the month of March with a Sunday matinee in Syracuse when they take on the Crunch.