By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA
It doesn’t seem all that long ago that the Rochester Americans were firmly in second place in the American Hockey League’s North Division and providing hints that they could at least make a little noise in the Calder Cup playoffs.
Fast-forward to today and they’ve become a team that can no longer score goals or win games. Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to the Utica Comets at Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial extended their winless streak to nine (0-6-1-2).
Which is why they’re lucky to still be clinging to the fifth and final playoff spot in the North, although coach Michael Leone said they’re really just one morale-boosting victory away from new life.
“There’s still light at the end of the tunnel,” Leone said following Wednesday’s game, when Utica used a pair of late second-period power-play goals to take control of what had been a 1-1 tie. “We’re still five points ahead (of sixth-place Belleville).”
Still, the way they have played of late – two or fewer goals in six of the past 10 games, just three home victories since the start of 2026 – even if they earn an invitation to the post-season party, some would say why bother.
The players, however, definitely aren’t saying that, even though they’re mired in the team’s longest winless streak since March of 2014.
“We know we have a good hockey team,” said defenseman Zac Jones, who scored the Amerks goal on Wednesday. “We have to find a way to get one Friday (against Toronto and then it’s a new world.”
The current world definitely isn’t very special. The Amerks’ best player, right winger Isak Rosen, was shipped to Manitoba as the parent Buffalo Sabres bolstered their lineup at the NHL trade deadline.
A multitude of forwards suddenly can’t find the net. They have allowed four short-handed goals over the past four games – including one on Wednesday. And now defenseman Jack Rathbone is hurt again.
Rathbone will be out long-term, Leone said, after being driven into the glass by Comets defenseman Topias Vilen at 12:50 of the second period. He left the ice immediately, favoring his left shoulder.
The short-handed goals against are a significant issue, and a new one. Up until March, the Amerks had allowed just two all season.
Even if you’re not scoring on the power play, you can’t be giving up goals, Jones said.
“The biggest thing is creating momentum, not killing momentum,” he said. “We have to stop giving up short-handed goals.”
The one on Wednesday clinched victory for the Comets 9:19 into the third period. Former Amerks Kyle Criscuolo led the rush into the Rochester zone, then made a drop pass to defenseman Austin Strand on the left wing and he blasted a one-timer past goalie Devon Levi.
Xavier Parent scored the only goal in the first period, slicing to the net through the right circle before lifting a short-side backhander past Levi at 15:59.
Jones tied the score 4:05 into the second period with his eighth goal. With a host of bodies in the slot, his wrister from the center point eluded goalie Jakub Malek.
The Amerks had a great chance to take the lead with a four-minute power play beginning at 11:32 but they couldn’t capitalize.
The Comets then used a pair of late-period power plays to vault to a 3-1 lead. Halonen scored at 16:27 before Matyas Melovsky’s goal off a third rebound provided the two-goal cushion with 58.2 seconds left in the period.
“That was a huge point in the game,” Leone said of the failed extended power play.
He knows there is no magic formula to put together before Friday’s first of back-to-back games with the Marlies (here Friday, at Toronto on Saturday), but he and his staff still must find one.
“Our job as a staff is to get this group ready,” Leone said. “We can’t feel sorry for ourselves.”
Leone is delusional if he thinks this team is just one morale boosting win away from ‘new life’. There isn’t one thing that this team is doing right now that inspires any hope or optimism. The losses are all formulaic. The team has held a lead for under 20 minutes over the 9 game streak. That sort of means you are playing lousy hockey every night. ‘almost winning’ or losing in OT/SO isn’t going to cut it right now.
Last night special teams were dreadful. On other nights, its another aspect of the game. Our goalies giving up 4 has become the norm. Levi knows he has to be perfect to win and maybe thats what it will take to finally win a game.
You have to go back a long ways to remember a team that played this poorly at home. Losing Rathbone really hurts, but it must be said he hasn’t been the same player since his most recent injury. I’d like to think the guys are still really trying, but watching them slog through these games, that would be a real tough sell right now.
Team has some effort but usually doesn’t play with the determination or grit of there opponents and last night was no exception! Only 2 wins on home ice Wednesday nights all season and one was in October! Talent on paper is still there on the defense and goaltender side anyway but determination and chemistry is lacking! Our veterans that we acquired Leschysin and Meyer have largely been flops, nowhere near being replacements for Murray and Jobst. Levi has still been above average but has taken a major step back in his development this season. Leone has lost this team and he knows it. Appears he is over his head right now with getting his team to show up, especially on home ice. Would love to see a coaching change and some real offensive help before Friday but with the new management in Buffalo that requires Leone to wear Sabres attire for pre game pressers that won’t happen! Playoffs are still likely as a fifth seed but I cannot see this team winning even 1 game in the postseason!
Phil and Ted basically say it all -very well. The one comment I’ll add is that Levi has been left out to dry by a very poor and undersized defense. Turnovers and losing board battles in their own end have been deadly. Levi did make 38 saves last night! He should have been the third star of the night otherwise the outcome might have been as ugly as the Laval 9-3 laugher two weeks ago!
It’s very sad, We see other long term clubs like Hershey & Providence ice more competitive teams every year. I’d rather table all the complaints about the noise and poor sound system to see some better players brought in? We’re not seeing what needs to be done each shift to be successful. Terrible zone clears, weak play along the wall and continual missed passes along the wall! I have to agree we are seeing the likes of an ECHL team on our ice surface. I left for home with 10 minutes remaining on the clock. It’s sad to see the Amerk logo not being respected with under achieving play!