The Rochester Americans turned a rocky start into a dominant finish on Sunday afternoon, riding a natural hat trick from teenage sensation Konsta Helenius to a 6-3 comeback victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack at Blue Cross Arena. After falling behind 3-1 in the opening frame, Rochester exploded for five unanswered goals to strengthen their grip on a playoff spot.
The Helenius Show
The Sabres’ 2024 first-round pick continues to prove why he’s one of the elite prospects in the AHL. Helenius put the team on his back, scoring Rochester’s first three goals to reach 18 on the season.
- Milestone Marker: This was his second career natural hat trick and his first ever on home ice.
- Elite Company: With 48 points, Helenius now holds the second-most points of any U20 player in the AHL. He also sits second on the Amerks in both goals and total scoring.
Completing the Comeback
While Helenius provided the spark, the depth of the Amerks’ roster finished the job. Former Wolf Pack forward Jake Leschyshyn haunted his old club by netting the go-ahead goal late in the second period. It was his 12th of the year, putting the veteran pro at 20 points for the third time in his career.
In the third, Jagger Joshua extended the lead to 5-3 by skillfully tipping a puck off a defender’s stick. Joshua, who leads the team with 93 penalty minutes, showed his offensive touch by finding the scoresheet for the second straight game. Defenseman Vsevolod Komarov eventually iced the contest with an empty-netter, becoming the fifth Rochester blueliner to hit the four-goal mark this season.
Levi Slumps No More
Goaltender Devon Levi was a pillar of strength in net, turning aside 33 shots to earn his 18th win. The victory was a massive weight off his shoulders, snapping an eight-game winless skid. Levi continues to be the AHL’s ultimate workhorse, leading the league in minutes played (2471:56) and tied for the lead in appearances with 42.
Special Teams & Notes
The Amerks’ penalty kill was the unsung hero of the afternoon, finishing a perfect 5-for-5. The unit’s biggest moment came during a 90-second 5-on-3 disadvantage in the second period, which they successfully neutralized to keep the momentum in Rochester’s favor.
- Playoff Push: The win gives Rochester a four-point cushion over Belleville for the final North Division playoff spot.
- Dominance over Hartford: The Amerks are now 10-1-1-0 in their last 12 meetings against the Wolf Pack.
- Playmakers: Anton Wahlberg (23 assists) and Carson Meyer both tallied two assists, with Meyer now just two points away from his second career 30-point season.
Up Next
The Amerks look to carry this momentum into the final weekend of March as they host the Toronto Marlies this Friday, March 27, at 7:05 p.m.
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