By: Brayden Peters
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Rochester Americans finished their final home game of 2024 on a high note, defeating the Utica Comets 6-3. Rochester was down 3-1 initially for most of the second frame. They went on to score five unanswered goals to secure their victory and extend their winning streak to three games. Amerks head coach Michael Leone believes this game was the most resilient win for Rochester this season.
"Just a good effort by the group," Leone said. "There's going to be times, especially coming off the break, where you're not at your best and you got to find ways to win. I thought we did that."
The momentum changed for the Amerks with less than two minutes to go in the second period. Center Riley Fiddler-Schultz whacked the puck in that snuck under the right leg pad of Utica goalie Nico Daws to cut the two goal advantage in half. Center Tyson Kozak and right winger Tyler Tullio recorded assists on the goal.
Rochester came out guns blazing to start the third period and were a step ahead of the Comets. Fiddler-Schultz tacked on his second goal of the game after tucking the puck in off a rebound from a wrist shot from Amerks defenseman Ethan Prow. He along with Tullio were given assists on the goal. Fiddler-Schultz's two goal performance was marked as his first multi-goal game in his AHL career. He has also scored four times in his last five games.
"I'm definitely very grateful and blessed to see the work that I've put in to start finally pay off," Fiddler-Schultz said. "Really big boost of confidence, or games like this and just want to keep building every game."
The Amerks continued to ride their wave of momentum. With 15:06 left to go in the period, left winger Viktor Neuchev blasted a one-timer slap shot from the high slot into the top right corner of the cage. Right winger Lukas Rousek and center Mason Jobst were credited with assists.
To add cushioning to their lead, Rochester recorded their sixth shorthanded goal of the season, which is second most in the AHL. That goal made it a 5-3 game. On a two-on-one chance, center Graham Slaggert beat Daws glove side on a wrist shot, giving Slaggert his fourth shorthanded goal of the season, which leads all players in the AHL.
"Anytime you're on a special teams unit, you got to take pride in that, whether it's on the power play or PK and I think we do a really good job of that," Slaggert said. "Whenever we jump over the boards, we want to get the kill first and foremost and any offense that comes from that is just a bonus, and thankfully, we've had some success with that."
Halfway through the third frame, the Amerks outshot the Comets 12-to-three in the period alone.
To put the icing on the cake, left winger Brett Murray scored an empty net goal with 3:09 left in the frame. It not only secured Rochester their 6-3 win, but it extended his point streak to six games.
Prow (0+2), Fiddler-Schultz (2+0), right winger Isak Rosén (1+1) and Tullio (0+2) were the four Amerks to have a multi-point effort in the win. Tullio's performance was marked as his first multi-point game of the season.
"For me, I think it's just consistency," Tullio said. "If I can help this team produce on a daily basis, then no question that I'll keep rising up the lineup."
Devon Levi got the start in between the pipes for the Amerks. He went into the game with a 9-2-1 record along with a .913 save percentage and a 2.14 goals against average. He ended the night making 23 saves to give him a .885 save percentage.
Although Rochester was two-for-two on the penalty kill, they went zero-for-four on the powerplay, one of which they gave up a shorthanded goal. The Amerks ended up in multiple situations where they had to defend against odd-man rush situations while on the power play.
"We got to clean up the power play," Leone said. "I think we gave up three, four odd-man rushes off our power play. That needs to get better for sure."
Rochester got out hot to start the first period, but the Comets were the ones to draw first blood with under two minutes into the contest. Buffalo native and Canisius graduate Ryan Schmelzer deflected a pass into the top left corner of the cage on a two-on-one.
Utica proceeded to add insurance to the lead under a minute later after Schmelzer's goal. After the Comets created a turnover, 2nd overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft Simon Nemec beat Levi's blocker side shorthanded after he coughed up a rebound.
The two goals energized the Comets and it showed on the ice. They were quick to apply defensive pressure onto the Amerks, creating a multitude of turnovers thanks to their physical play. Utica also took away shooting lanes, blocking numerous shots and had a solid forecheck.
By the end of the frame, the Comets outshot the Amerks nine-to-eight.
Rochester quickly cut Utica's lead in half to start the second frame. Rosén fired a wrist shot from near the Comets' blue line and it deflected off a skate and into the top right corner of the net.
Utica quickly responded a little under two minutes later. Nemec deked his way to the high slot and sniped a wrist shot past Levi's glove side to give the Comets a two goal advantage again.
Both teams created multiple scoring opportunities throughout most of the period. Rochester and Utica tied in shots on goal in the frame alone with 11 apiece. However, the Comets continued to play a cleaner game compared to the Amerks. Rochester had multiple costly giveaways that were solid scoring chances for the Comets, but Levi was able to hold his own in net.
From there, the Amerks went on to later score their five unanswered goals to turn the tide of the game and get the victory. Rochester outshot the Comets 17-to-seven in the third period alone.
The Amerks improves to an 18-9-3 record and take first place in the North division. As for Utica, they fall to a 6-15-1 record and remain in last place in the North division.
Rochester will look to sweep Utica in the month of December 3-0 when they play at the Adirondack Bank Center today. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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