GAME PREVIEW: AMERKS START FOUR-GAME ROAD TRIP IN UTICA
Amerks look to maintain dominance over Comets
Feb 27, 2025
By Andrew Mossbrooks | @ Mossbrooks48
After a near-perfect 4-1-0-0 homestand, the Rochester Americans (34-14-3-1) take their talents back to the road beginning Friday night as they challenge the Utica Comets (19-24-4-2) for a fifth straight win at Adirondack Bank Center.
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Rochester begins its four-game road trip against an opponent they have faced more than any other team this season, as it marks the 11th of 12 scheduled contests between the intrastate rivals. It will also be the final time Rochester visits Utica in the 2024-25 season, with the series finale set for March 23 back at Blue Cross Arena.
The Amerks have dominated the season series thus far, winning nine of 10 against New Jersey’s AHL affiliate. Their last engagement came just a few weeks back on Feb. 15 in Utica, where Isak Rosén scored the game-tying goal late in regulation, setting the stage for Noah Östlund to be the hero in overtime, nabbing the Amerks a 4-3 victory.
LAST TIME OUT
Rochester closed its season-long five-game homestand on a high note, racing out to a 3-0 lead before going on to top the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins by a 5-2 final Wednesday night.
Rosén, Östlund, and Nicolas Aube-Kubel each scored a goal and an assist, while Devon Levi stopped 28 shots to secure his third straight win and 19th overall this season. With the win, the Amerks ended their homestand showing a 4-1-0-0 record, outscoring the opposition 18-10. With Laval losing earlier on Wednesday, the Amerks enter Friday three points clear of the Rocket for first in the North Division as well as the entire American Hockey League.
Utica enters the weekend the more rested of the two teams, having last played Saturday in Bridgeport. After dropping its first two games of a road trip, Utica ended things on a positive note, topping the Islanders by a 4-2 final. Nathan Légaré and Xavier Parent each tallied goals and assists. In goal, Isaac Poulter reached 23 saves for his 11th win of the season.
OSTI OSTI OSTI
Östlund has been among Rochester’s top point-producers in the month of February. The rookie forward has eight goals and 20 points on the season, with 11 of his points (5+6) coming over the last four weeks.
The Stockholm, Sweden, native has recorded five multi-point games in February, and on Feb. 15 in Utica, the Sabres’ prospect scored his first career overtime-winner to lift the Amerks to a 4-3 win over the Comets.
Since Jan. 17, Östlund has amassed 17 points (7+10) over his last 17 games. The first-year pro’s reliability in both the defensive and offensive zone shows, as Östlund leads all Rochester forwards in plus/minus (+15).
THE HOUSECAT COMES CALLING
Veteran goaltender Michael Houser has made a home for himself in Utica, despite wearing the colors of the Amerks for the past five seasons.
In 14 career appearances against Utica, Houser owns a 9-4-0 record when facing the Comets with a save percentage north of .910, along with a 1.99 goals-against-average.
The Youngstown, Ohio, native is 2-0-0 against Utica this season with both victories coming in Utica. At Adirondack Bank Center alone, Houser has gone 7-2-0 lifetime. The 32-year-old last started for Rochester last Friday against Belleville, making 28 saves for his first win in an Amerks jersey since Nov. 2, 2024.
ONE-SIDED AFFAIR
The Amerks have pounded on the Comets over the last two seasons, thwarting Utica away with a 17-4-1-0 mark since the start of the 2023-24 season. This season alone, Rochester has outscored Utica 44-24, and in the third period alone the Amerks have dropped the Comets by a 20-7 margin.
Of the 10 games played this season, four games have been decided by one goal, with three of those going beyond regulation.
Rosén has had monstrous numbers against the Comets, collecting a team-high seven goals and 13 points facing Utica.
Lukas Rousek has tallied over a third of his assists this season against the Comets, with 10 of his 28 from this series alone.
While Houser’s numbers against the Comets are impressive, Levi has also been masterful against them, churning out a perfect 7-0-0 record against Rochester’s intrastate rival over the past two seasons.
On the other end, Utica has remained in last place in the North Division all season long. Despite their struggles, Brian Halonen is having another productive year, currently leading the team with 19 goals, including five against Rochester.