The Rochester Americans achieved a decisive 3-0 victory over the Utica Comets on Friday, showcasing a strong performance as they kicked off a season-high six-game homestand at The Blue Cross Arena. With this win, the Amerks improved their record to 20-13-4-2, marking their third victory in the last six encounters against the Comets this season. The team, which has earned points in 16 of its last 21 games dating back to November 22, 2025, now sits in a tie for third place in the North Division standings with Toronto, just one point behind Syracuse and three points behind Laval, while holding a game in hand on both.
Goaltender Devon Levi was the standout performer, stopping all 23 shots he faced for his second consecutive home shutout, extending his shutout streak at home to 156 minutes. Levi’s remarkable defense kept the Comets at bay, allowing the Amerks to secure a dominant win.
The scoring started in the first period when defenseman Nikita Novikov netted his sixth goal of the season, assisted by Aidan Fulp and Riley Fiddler-Schultz. Novikov’s shot came late in the period following a well-executed play that caught the Utica netminder Jakub Málek off guard.
In the second period, Isak Rosén doubled the Amerks’ lead with a powerful shot from the center of the ice during an odd-man rush, marking his 19th goal of the season. The Amerks maintained strong defensive play, limiting the Comets to just three shots on goal in this period.
Ryan Johnson sealed the victory for Rochester in the third period with a goal that came from a clever play where he benefitted from a setup by Viktor Neuchev. This goal further solidified their three-goal lead, and the team successfully defended against a late surge from Utica.
Levi’s strong presence in goal and the team’s solid performance across all periods highlight their competitiveness as they look to climb the standings during this homestand. As they prepare for their next match against the Cleveland Monsters on Saturday, January 24, at 5:05 p.m., the Amerks will aim to continue this momentum. Fans can catch the action live on The Sports Leader 95.7 FM/950 AM or through AHLTV, while the game will also be televised on CW Rochester later in the evening.
This victory not only serves as a boost in morale but also reflects the potential and talent of this Amerks roster, setting a hopeful tone for the upcoming games.