Belleville Scores Two Third-Period Goals to Defeat Amerks 3-1

A late-game redirection by Jan Jeník and an empty-net goal by Keean Washkurak turned a defensive stalemate into a 3-1 Belleville Senators victory over the Rochester Americans at Blue Cross Arena. The game was locked 1-1 through two periods before Belleville broke the tie in the final six minutes of the third.

Rochester’s lone goal came midway through the second period when forward Carson Meyer notched his eighth tally of the season. Nikita Novikov added an assist while Trevor Kuntar collected his 11th helper of the campaign, which established a new career-high. The Amerks’ netminder Devon Levi produced 22 saves on 24 shots in his 31st appearance to keep the game within reach; the Amerks report noted that, “Devon Levi (15-10-6) stopped 22 of the 24 shots he faced in his 31st appearance of the campaign. The Quebec native has appeared in 11 of Rochester’s last 13 games since the turn of the new year while allowing two or fewer goals in eight of his last 10 appearances since Jan. 7.”

Belleville tied the game earlier in the match, though the supplied reports do not list the scorer or the exact time of the first-period goal. The decisive sequence unfolded late in the final frame: “As the clock continued to wind down, the Senators won a face-off inside the Amerks zone following an icing. After winning the draw back to Donovan, Jan Jeník gained positioning in-between the circles just as Cameron Crotty was about to unleash a shot towards the net-front. Before the puck reached the top of the crease, Jeník was able to provide a last-second redirection over the glove of Levi, putting the Senators ahead 2-1 with less than six minutes left in the period.” Jorian Donovan notched two assists for Belleville and was central to the zone draw that set up the play. Goaltender Leevi Meriläinen made 21 saves to earn the win and improved his ledger to 5-8-4.

Rochester pulled Levi in a late push for the extra attacker in a bid to force overtime; the game then closed out when Belleville converted the opportunity, as noted plainly: “Rochester made a last-ditch effort to try and force overtime by pulling Levi for the extra attacker, however, Keean Washkurak sealed the 3-1 win as he scored into the empty net with 41 seconds remaining.”

The result moves Belleville to 20-19-8-0, continuing a run in which the Senators have recorded points in 10 of their last 11 games since Jan. 10. Rochester falls to 21-16-4-2 but has still earned at least one point in 10 of its previous 15 meetings with Belleville, underscoring the competitive regional rivalry.

Beyond the boxscore, the game highlights two AHL undercurrents: the value of late-game situational play and the heavy reliance on workhorse goaltenders. Levi’s heavy usage since the new year and Meriläinen’s steady 21-save night speak to organizational choices about minutes and development. For fans, the takeaway is clear - the Amerks and Senators keep producing tight, low-scoring battles that serve as both player development labs and compelling local entertainment; for Belleville, the win strengthens momentum, while Rochester will lean on Devon Levi’s consistency as it presses forward in the standings.