Laval Rocket Stay Red-Hot, Outwork Division-Leading Bruins for Fifth Straight Win
After a statement weekend sweep in Pennsylvania, the Laval Rocket returned home to Place Bell for a quick stopover, but they didn’t let the travel slow them down. Facing off against the Atlantic Division-leading Providence Bruins - a team that came in riding a 16-3-0 record - Laval delivered a gritty, disciplined performance that extended their winning streak to five games and reaffirmed their position atop the AHL’s North Division.
These two teams had met not long ago, with Laval netminder Jacob Fowler stealing the show in a shutout win. So it made sense when head coach Pascal Vincent decided to stick with what was working, icing the same lineup from the weekend - with one key change: Fowler was back between the pipes, replacing Kaapo Kähkönen.
First Period: Defensive Chess Match Gives Way to a Breakthrough
The opening minutes felt like a playoff preview - tight checking, clean exits, and both goalies seeing mostly routine shots. Providence had a slight edge in shot volume early, but Laval generated the game’s first real scoring chance when Owen Beck nearly pulled off a highlight-reel finish while falling at the back post. Mikey DiPietro stood tall in net for the Bruins, but it was a sign that Laval was beginning to find its rhythm.
A power play opportunity gave the Rocket a chance to strike first, but their man-advantage woes from the weekend lingered - not a single shot on net. Still, Laval didn’t let the miss deflate them. Moments after the penalty expired, defenseman Marc Del Gaizo let a long-range shot fly that squeaked through DiPietro, giving Laval a 1-0 lead and injecting some serious energy into the home bench.
From there, the Rocket fed off the momentum. They began dictating the pace, pressuring Providence in all three zones and forcing turnovers. The Bruins didn’t back down, but Fowler was locked in once again, calmly turning away everything thrown his way.
As the period wound down, Beck continued to show why he’s becoming one of Laval’s most trusted two-way players. He blocked a shot off the skate, then moments later took another off the leg to clear the zone and preserve the lead. Those little moments - the kind that don’t show up on a scoresheet - were huge in sending Laval into the first intermission up 1-0.
Second Period: Trading Blows, Rocket Regain Control
Laval opened the second with the same intensity they closed the first. The fourth line came out buzzing, pinning Providence deep and winning puck battles. But momentum nearly shifted when Luke Tuch took a hard hit from behind, and Tyler Thorpe ended up in the box after coming to his teammate’s defense.
On the penalty kill, Laval leaned on their goaltender once again. Fowler turned away a flurry of chances, including a couple of point-blank looks, keeping the Rocket ahead.
Once back to even strength, Laval earned another power play - and this time, they looked far more dangerous. They peppered DiPietro with shots, forcing him to match Fowler save for save. But despite the pressure, the Rocket couldn’t convert, and the Bruins made them pay shortly after.
Frederic Brunet tied the game with a laser from the blue line, taking a slick feed from Fabian Lysell and beating Fowler clean. It was a reminder that even when Laval is playing well, the Bruins only need a moment to flip the script.
But Laval didn’t blink. Their top line answered right back.
Del Gaizo launched a stretch pass that looked like it would be icing - until Laurent Dauphin hustled to beat it out. He circled the net and found Alex Belzile in the slot, who buried it to restore Laval’s lead.
It was a textbook example of effort creating offense.
Late in the period, David Reinbacher was called for hooking, giving Providence another crack on the power play. But once again, Laval’s penalty kill - anchored by Fowler and a relentless Beck - held firm, and the Rocket carried a 2-1 lead into the third.
Third Period: Grit, Goaltending, and a Touch of Chaos
Laval killed off the remainder of Reinbacher’s penalty to start the third and immediately went back to work. Beck nearly added to the lead with a slick move through the slot, just missing wide. But discipline started to slip, and soon Lucas Condotta was in the box for delay of game.
With one of their key penalty killers sidelined, the Rocket dug deep. Fowler made another series of critical saves, including one after getting run over by Patrick Brown - a hit that went uncalled. Still, Laval held the line.
Then came a stretch of chaos. Xavier Simoneau and Fabian Lysell were sent off for roughing, and just seconds later, Dauphin joined Simoneau in the box for tripping. It was a dangerous situation, but Fowler - as he had all night - stood tall, flashing the glove through traffic to rob the Bruins of a sure goal.
And then came the turning point.
DiPietro misplayed a dump-in behind his own net, colliding with a teammate and losing the puck. Simoneau pounced, tucking it into the open cage to give Laval a 3-1 lead - a rare mistake by the Bruins’ netminder, and one the Rocket were happy to capitalize on.
Laval didn’t let up. With the Bruins looking to pull their goalie, the Rocket’s third line kept the puck deep, refusing to give Providence a chance to set up. Simoneau circled the zone and found Sammy Blais, who fired home his third of the season to seal the deal.
A brief scrum at the final horn added a little spice, but the outcome was never in doubt. Laval had outworked, outlasted, and out-executed one of the AHL’s top teams - and they did it with a blend of depth scoring, elite goaltending, and flat-out hustle.
What’s Next
With their fifth straight win in the books, the Rocket now turn their attention to a critical weekend series on the road against the Belleville Senators - a rivalry that always brings the heat. Whether any lineup changes are coming remains to be seen and may depend on potential NHL recalls.
But one thing’s clear: this Laval team is playing with confidence, structure, and a whole lot of heart. And right now, they’re looking like a squad no one wants to see on the schedule.