Amerks defeat Wolf Pack

Ryan Oleksyn / Sports Writer

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Rochester Americans defeated the Hartford Wold Pack by a final score of 4-2. Rochester centerman Matthew Peca shined as he recorded 3 points in the game and Amerks Goalie Talyn Boyko recorded his first win of the season.

Amerks celebrating postgame on Friday, Nov. 6th, 2026

(Photo credit: Micheline Veluvolu/Rochester Americans)

"Hes doing a really good job for us". Said Amerks head coach Michael Leone. "I appreciate his work away from the puck and especially being commited to defending his own zone."

The Amerks began the contest defending the offensive zone shorthanded as defenseman Caleb Jones earned a high sticking penalty 3 minutes into the game. Coming into the contest, Rochester ranked seventh in penalty kill percentage and the trend continued as they killed off the penalty and began attacking further into the Hartford zone.

A few minutes later Rochester once again found themselves shorthanded due to an interference penalty by Matthew Peca, but the Amerks once again survived the Hartford man advantage.

with 36 seconds remaining in the first period, Rochester's Powerplay unit would get to work as Caleb Jones would snipe a powerplay goal to give the Amerks a 1-0 lead. It was jones second goal of the season and he was assisted by Matthew Peca and Conor Sheary.

Entering the game, Rochester was 6-1 this season when scoring first and it was a sign for things to come the rest of the way.

Video: @ AmerksHockey on X

After one period of play Rochester led on the scoreboard 1-0 but trailed in shots on goal 11-10.

The Amerks began the second period really applying serious pressure on Wolf Pack goaltender Spencer Martin. That pressure would prove to be effective as Rochester would find the back of the net once again.

This time is was Centerman Matthew Peca with his sixth goal of the season and he was assisted by Conor Sheary and Gavin McCarthy. Peca Leads the team in assists and points as the Amerks now held a 2-0 lead over Hartford.

In the final seconds of the second period Amerks Goalie Talyn Boyko made a diving save to prevent any last second score. At that point he had a 100% save perentage in the contest on 19 shots faced and had come up clutch mulitple times defending the net on a few Wolf Pack powrerplay oppertunities.

"I think they did an awesome job" Said Talyn Boyko when talking about the Penalty kill unit. "Lots of guys sacrificing and blocking shots and its not an easy thing to do."

After two periods of play Rochester led Hartford 2-0 and also led in shots on goal 20-19.

To begin the final frame The Amerks would reach the powerplay for the third time this game. This time the Amerks would light the lamp on the man advantage. It was Aidan McDonough with the netfront score to give the Amerks a comanding 3-0 lead over the Wolf Pack. It was McDonoughs fifth goal of the season and he was assited by Jason Polin and Matthew Peca.

Amerks score third goal on Friday, Nov. 6th, 2026

(Photo credit: Micheline Veluvolu/Rochester Americans)

Midway through the period Rochester was tasked with killing off another penalty because of a Holding of the stick minor penalty on Matthew Peca. But once again that seventh ranked powerplay kill shined brighlty as the Amerks ragined fullstrength with their 3-0 lead still in tact.

Even with the three goal lead the Amerks culd not stay out of the penalty box and they were finally forced to pay the consequences of a Matteo Costantini High sticking call.

With 8:15 remaining in the third, it was Hartford Foword Liam Greentree with the first strike of the game for the Wolf Pack. It was his seventh goal of the season and he was assited by Justin Dowling and Marc Del Gaizo.

Greentree, was a former first round selection of the Los Angles Kings in 2024. He was a key piece of the package that sent two time NHL all star Artemi panarin from the New York Rangers to the Kings back on Febuary 4th of last season.

Once that goal was scored a sense of momentum began to shift as Hartford chraged back into the Rochester zone and found the back of the net once again. This time is was Lucas Vanroboys with the score and it was his second goal of the season. He was assisted by Justin Nachbaur and Marc Del Gaizo. The Wolf Pack now only trailed the Amerks 3-2 with 5:25 remaining in the game.

In the final minute and the score still at 3-2, Hartfords offensive desperation reached its breaking point as Wolf Pack goaltender Martin Spencer ran towords the bench and Hartford has an extra attacker out there to try to tie the score.

But even with Hartford having the extra skater Rochester iced the game thanks to an empty net goal by centerman Trevor Kuntar. It was Kuntars fifth goal of the season and he was assisted by Riley Fiddler-Schultz and Caleb Jones.

As the seconds ticked down moments later, the Amerks held on to the lead and clinched a 4-2 victory over Hartford. Rochester also ended up leading in total shots on goal 32-26.

With the win Rochester sits at third in the North division and now holds a record of 7-4-0-1. The Amerks next game is Saturday in Utica. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. as Rochester looks to extend their winning streak to 4 games.