Play preview: Amerik's four-game road trip start in Utica

Amerik's try to maintain dominance through comets

February 27, 2025

By Andrew Mossbrooks | @ Mossbrooks48

After an almost perfect 4-1-0-0 homestand, the Rochester Americans (34-14-3-1) bring their talents back on the street on Friday evening when they challenge Utica Comets (19-24-4-2) for a fifth win in the Adirondack Bank Center.

Rochester begins his four-game road trip against an opponent with whom they were exposed to more than any other team this season, since it marks the 11^TH Out of 12 planned competitions between the intrasted rivals. It will also be the last time that Rochester Utica visits in the 2024-25 season, with the series finals adapted to the Blue Cross Arena on March 23.

The Americans have dominated the season series so far and won nine out of ten against New Jerseys Ahl partners. Her last commitment only came in Utica a few weeks ago on February 15, where Isak Rosén scored the game with the game late in the regulation and put the stage for Noah Östlund to be in the extension of the hero and snap a 4: 3 victory for the Americans.

Rochester closed his homestead stand with five games 3-0 against a 3-0 lead before moving the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton-Penguins on Wednesday evening.

Rosén, east and Nicolas Aube-Kubel Everyone scored a goal and a template during Devon Levi stopped 28 shots to secure his third victory in a row and 19^TH Overall this season. With the victory, the American ended their home stand, which showed a 4-1-0: 0 record and exceeded the opposition with 18: 10. After Laval lost earlier on Wednesday, the Americans enter three points in front of the rocket for the first in the North Division and in the entire American Hockey League.

Utica enters the weekend, the more the two teams are rested after playing last Saturday in Bridgeport. After Utica had made the first two games of a road trip, he ended things positively and performed the islanders with a 4-2 final. Nathan Légaré and Xavier parents each achieved goals and templates. At the finish, Isaac Poulter reached 23 parades for his 11^TH Win season.

Ostlund was the top producers of Rochester in February. The rookie striker has eight goals and 20 points in the season, with 11 of its points (5+6) coming in the last four weeks.

Born in Stockholm, Sweden, recorded five multi-point games in February, and on February 15 in Utica the Sabres prospectus scored his first career overtime winner to raise the Americans to a 4: 3 victory against the comets.

Since January 17, Östlund has accumulated 17 points (7+10) in its last 17 games. The reliability of the first professional in both the defensive and in the offensive zone shows how Östlund leads all Rochester strikers in plus/minus (+15).

Experienced goalkeeper Michael Houser has made a home for himself in Utica, although he has worn the colors of the Americans in the last five seasons.

In 14 career appearances against Utica, Houser has a 9: 4-0 record if he faces the comet with a savings percentage north of 0.910 and an average gate of 1.99 goals.

The Youngstown -born in Ohio is 2-0 against Utica with both victories in Utica this season. Houser went 7-2-0 for life in the Adirondack Bank Center alone. The 32-year-old last started against Belleville to Rochester last Friday and achieved 28 parades for his first victory in an American jersey since November 2, 2024.

The Americans have hit the comets in the last two seasons and thwarted Utica with a 17-4-1-0 mark since the beginning of the 2023-24 season. This season alone, Rochester Utica exceeded 44-24, and in the third period alone, the Americans dropped the comets with a lead of 20-7.

Of the 10 games played this season, four games were decided by a goal, three of which went beyond the regulation.

Rosén had monstrous numbers against the comets and collected seven goals and 13 points with Utica.

Lukas Rousek spoke over a third of his templates against the comets this season, at 10 of his 28 from this series.

While Houser's numbers are impressive against the comets, Levi was also masterfully against her and has set up a perfect 7-0 record against Rochester Intrastate in the last two seasons.

At the other end, Utica stayed over the last place in the North Division throughout the season. Despite her fights, Brian Halons has another productive year and currently runs the team with 19 goals, including five against Rochester.