Amerks lose big at home to Rocket

Ryan Oleksyn / Sports Writer

ROCHESTER, N.Y. --The Rochester Americans were defeated by the Laval Rocket by a final score of 9-3 on Friday night. The Amerks were tied at one point with the Rocket but, Rochester proceeded to give up six unanswered goals to end the game.

Amerks players together after a goal on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 (Photo: Nicole Bowland/89.1 the Point)

"You can't give up what we gave up tonight," said Amerks head coach Michael Leone. "it's just one of those games that got away and we got to respond."

The game began somewhat slow to start, both sides exchanged shots on net and Rochester would end up taking a tripping penalty by Carson Meyer. The Amerks' penalty kill was already put to the test early in the contest.

Multiple penalties would continue to be recorded on the stat sheet, and the penalty box seemed to always have at least one player in it during this whole first frame. But finally, with 3:34 remaining in the first period, Laval Struck first thanks to a wrister bar down snipe by Defenseman Tobie Bisson. It was Bisson's third goal of the season, and the Rocket now led 1-0 over Rochester.

As the final seconds ticked down in the first frame, Rochester would reach the power play once again. Laval would go into the intermission with still 1:54 to kill off on a hooking penalty.

After one period of play Laval led Rochester on the scoreboard 1-0 and also led in shots on goal 12-9.

The second period began with an early answer from the Amerks power play unit, as winger Mason Geertsen earned his second goal of the season with a shifty deke maneuver in front of the net. It was Geertsen's second goal of the season and was assisted by Graham Slaggert. This earned the Amerks their first goal of the game and the score was all knotted up at one a piece.

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The even score was short lived however because only eight seconds later Laval answered right back with a quick strike goal by winger Joshua Roy. It was Roy's 14th goal of the season, and he was assisted by Alex Belzile and David ReinBacher. With 17:34 remaining in the second period, the Rocket now led 2-1.

Once again though Rochester was fortunate enough to earn third powerplay opportunity of the game and they took advantage. Riley Fiddler-Schultz was the one to light the lamp for the Amerks. It was his 16th goal of the season, and he was assisted by Isak Rosén and Konsta Helenius. The score was all tied once again, time 2-2 is where we stood.

Laval vs Rochester on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 (Photo: Nicole Bowland)

But just when Rochester was able to match Laval on the scoreboard, Laval answer right back again. It only took 14 seconds for Vincent Arseneau to earn his fifth goal of the season and give Laval the 3-2 Advantage.

Just a few minutes later Rochester would continue to answer the call time and time again. This time it was winger Gavin Bayreuther to get on the stat sheet. It was his fifth goal of the season and with 9:20 remaining in the second period, we had a tied game at 3-3.

Just when you thought these two teams could not score any more than they already have, The scoring would only continue. Back and forth it seemed this game would go as Rocket winger Samuel Blais would notch his fifth goal of the season, and he was assisted by Sean Farrell. Laval would jump back in front 4-3 with 6:37 remaining in the period.

Only two minutes and three seconds later, it was Samuel Blais once again lighting the lamp for Laval. it was Blais sixth goal of the season and he was assisted by Tyler Thorpe. The Rocket now increased their margin, to 5-3 over the Amerks.

After two periods of play the Rocket led on the scoreboard 5-3 and also led in shots on goal 28-17.

To begin the third period Laval would set the tone early by finding the back of the net for the sixth time in the game. The goal was scored by Alex Belzile. It was his 25th goal of the season and he was assisted by Joshua Roy. With 19:49 remaining in the period, Laval now led 6-3 over the Amerks.

Only a short while later, Laval would add to their score yet again, this time it was winger Filip Mešár scoring his seventh goal of the season and he was assisted by David Reinbacher and Tobie Bisson. With 15:13 remaining in the final frame, Laval now led Rochester by a score of 7-3.

Devon Levi making a save on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 (Photo: Nicole Bowland)

As a result of the seventh goal, Rochester made a change at goaltender as Devon Levi's night was over and backup goaltender Cameron Rowe took over duties in net for the remainder of the game.

Even with the goaltender change, Laval was still pedal to medal on the offensive end, Forword Owen Beck buried his seventh goal of the season and extended Laval's lead to 8-3 over the Amerks.

With 4:56 remaining in the game, Rocket Forword Will Dineen would light the lamp via a slapshot from the top of the zone and earn his third goal of the season. He was assisted by David Reinbacher and Luke Tuch. The Rocket were now pouring it on as they led 9-3.

As the final seconds were winding down, Laval would hold onto the puck and clinch the 9-3 victory over Rochester. Laval also ended up outshooting on net 36-27.

"When a performance happens like this against a really good team, it gets magnified," said Leone. "I believe in our group and in our team."

With the loss Rochester remains in fifth place in the North Division but still holds a playoff spot with a record of 24-19-5-3. The Amerks next game is this Sunday in Syracuse, puck drop is set for 4 p.m. as the Amerks look to bounce back from their five-game losing streak.