The Rochester Americans surrendered three unanswered goals after tying the game midway through the second period, falling 4-1 to the Utica Comets on Saturday, Nov. 7, at NBT Bank Arena.
Aidan McDonough scored Rochester’s lone goal as the Amerks’ three-game winning streak ended. The loss left Rochester at 7-5-0-1, while Utica improved to 8-2-0-0, according to the Americans’ official recap.
McDonough scores again as Peca extends streak
McDonough scored for the second consecutive game after also finding the net in Friday’s victory over Hartford. His sixth goal of the season came with assists from Conor Sheary and Matthew Peca.
Peca extended his point streak to eight games, the longest active streak in the American Hockey League at the conclusion of the matchup, according to Rochester. He had four goals and nine assists during that stretch, which began Oct. 17.
Through 13 games, Peca had six goals and 12 assists for 18 points, sharing the league’s overall scoring lead. He entered the Utica game following three consecutive multi-point performances.
Sheary’s assist brought him to 10 points, making him the fourth Rochester skater to reach double figures that season. McDonough was one of three Amerks with at least six goals.
Utica continues its success against Rochester
The Comets earned their fourth straight victory and remained unbeaten against Rochester in three meetings that season. The Amerks were winless in their last five games against Utica overall.
Stefan Noesen, Jack Malone and Matyas Melovsky were among Utica’s goal scorers. Noesen also recorded two assists.
Jakub Málek made 17 saves to improve to 3-1-0. The Utica goaltender had won three consecutive appearances against Rochester dating to the previous season, allowing one goal in each.
Matt Villalta stopped 23 of 26 shots faced in his 11th appearance for Rochester, dropping to 6-4-1. Three of his four regulation losses had come against Utica, which had scored nine goals against him in those defeats.
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The result gave the Comets a 16-3-1-1 record over their previous 21 games dating to March 25.
Rathbone returns; Laval series follows
Defenseman Jack Rathbone made his season debut after being activated from the Buffalo Sabres’ injured reserve and loaned to Rochester earlier that day. He recorded one shot.
Rathbone had 11 goals and 30 assists for 41 points in 113 games with the Amerks since the start of the 2024-25 season.
Rochester finished the night with a 2-3-0-1 road record, compared with a 5-2-0-0 mark at home. Its next scheduled games were a two-game home series against Laval beginning Friday, Nov. 13, at 7:05 p.m. The Rocket led the North Division when Rochester issued its recap.
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