Amerks defeat Penguins in thriller

Ryan Oleksyn / Sports Writer

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Rochester Americans defeated the Wilkes-Berre/Scranton Penguins 6-4 in a physical contest as the Amerks and Penguins combined for 22 penalties. Amerks left winger Trevor Kuntar scored two goals to help the Amerks pick up a big win against a very good opponent.

"I think our team really competes" Said Kuntar "In practice we compete every single day, and were hungry on pucks"

Trevor Kuntar who was drafted in the 2020 NHL draft in the third round by the Boston Bruins, has spent the past several seasons in the bruins orginization with the Providence bruins. He's been looking for a an oppertunity to shine and he very well might have that with Rochester.

"I'm just so thankful that they trust me and gave me an opportunity." said Kuntar, "It feels really good to show that I can help the team."

To begin the game, the Penguins were very aggressive in the offensive zone. Wilkes-Berre/Scranton managed to outshoot Rochester four to one in shots on goal, five minutes into the first period.

The Amerks and Penguins both got opportunities on the powerplay but despite being outshot nine to four Rochester drew first blood with a top shelf tip in from Trevor Kuntar. It was Kuntars third goal of the season and assists were credited to Jagger Joshua and Riley Fiddler-Shultz.

Wilkes-Berre/Scranton struck back fast thanks to Mathieu De St. Phalle. It was Mathieu's first goal of the season, and it was unassisted as the Penguins notched the score at 1-1 with 6:56 remaining in the period.

The Amerks began to start getting more pressure to the net and they were rewarded. With Rochester having the man advantage, they capitalized with a powerplay goal from Jake Leschyshyn, it was Jakes sixth goal of the season and assists were credited to Anton Wahlberg and Konsta Helenius. The Amerks now lead by a score of 2-1.

The Scoring would continue for Rochester as Forword Matteo Costantini joined the goal party with a wrister as he scored his first AHL goal of his career. The goal was assisted by Brendan Warren and Graham Slaggert. Rochester extended their lead to 3-1.

Well, when it rains it pours because Rochester once again would score thanks to Kuntars second goal of the contest. it was his fourth of the season and assists went to Graham Slaggert and Noah Laaouan.

After one period of play shots on goal were even at 11 and Rochester led Wilkes-Berre/Scranton 4-1.

Trevor Kuntar scores on a tip in on Friday, November. 7th, 2025. (@AmerksHockey on X)

To begin the second period the Penguins found the back of the net early as Defenseman Alex Alexeyev would clap a slapshot from just inside the blueline to cut the deficient in half. It was Alekseyev's second goal of the season and assists went to Aiden McDonough and Tristan Broz. Wilkes-Berre/Scranton now trailed 4-2 with 17:20 remaining in the second period.

The Penguins and Amerks would continue to have a physical second period with multiple shoving matches all across the ice, But Wilkes-Berre/Scranton would take advantage on the powerplay of their own and cut the lead down to just one, thanks to a goal from Tristan Broz. It was Brozs second goal of the season and it was assisted by Owen Pickering and Aiden McDonough. The Penguins trailed 4-3 with 4:31 remaining in the second period.

With 2 periods in the books, the Penguins lead in shots on goal 23-19 but Rochester led in Goals 4-3.

The scored remained the same until the puck found the back of the net for Wilkes-Berre/Scranton. Centerman Sam Poulin notched his fourth goal of season, and he was assisted by Daniel Laatsch and Nolan Renwick. The penguins finally tied the score up after trailing by three.

But just when Wilkes-Berre/Scranton could gain some momentum, Rochester answered emphatically on the powerplay with a Snipe from captain Zach Metsa. It was Metsa's second goal of the season and the assists were credited to Konsta Helenius and Anton Wahlberg. Rochester led by a score of 5-4.

With 2:04 remaining in the third period, and Wilkes-Berre/Scranton's goalie pulled, Rochester would put the nail in the coffin for the penguins as Viktor Neuchev would bury his fourth of the season and clinch the 6-4 victory for the Amerks.

"This group plays hard" Said Amerks head coach Michael Leone. "I'm really happy they got rewarded tonight"

Rochester was able to overcome giving up a three-goal lead late to a Penguins team who currently has the third most points in the AHL. Timely saves and clutch shorthanded defense were a recipe for success for the Amerks.

"I thought we played a lot of winning hockey that last seven minutes." Said Leone. "There was a lot of emotion, a lot of scrums and we just stuck together and found a way to win."

With the win, the Amerks improved to 8-4-0-0 on the season. Rochester still trails Syracuse for first place in the north division. The Amerks next game is Sunday as they travel to Hershey to take on the Bears. puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m.