Laval Rocket's Rollercoaster Week: Gains and Losses
Laval had a mixed bag of results on their recent road trip, facing off against divisional rivals. They managed to edge out a shootout win over the Syracuse Crunch, but not before a tough loss to the Utica Comets.
The Week in Review
March 13: Utica 5, Laval 2
Laval started strong against Utica, with Filip Mesar and Florian Xhekaj finding the back of the net, giving the Rocket an early lead.
They held the Comets to just 10 shots through two periods, but things fell apart in the final frame. Utica surged with three unanswered goals, leaving Laval in the dust.
March 14: Laval 4, Syracuse 3 (SO)
In a reversal of fortune, Laval struggled early against Syracuse, managing only eight shots in the first two periods.
Lucas Condotta and Samuel Blais turned the tide in the third, scoring to give Laval a brief lead. Despite conceding late, they held on through overtime and clinched the win in a shootout.
This victory puts them four points ahead of Syracuse for the division lead, though Syracuse holds two games in hand and the tiebreaker.
Stat Highlights
- Marc Del Gaizo contributed two assists, maintaining a steady presence on the ice.
- Lucas Condotta and Filip Mesar each netted a goal, showing their offensive spark.
- Kaapo Kahkonen posted a 1-1 record with a 3.38 GAA and a .863 save percentage.
Team Leaders
- Goals: Alex Belzile (26)
- Assists: Laurent Dauphin (44)
- Points: Laurent Dauphin (59)
- Plus/Minus: Marc Del Gaizo (+26)
- Penalty Minutes: Florian Xhekaj (133)
- Shots: Joshua Roy (145)
News and Notes
- Injuries: Laurent Dauphin is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury, awaiting further evaluation.
- Roster Moves: Darick Louis-Jean was called up from ECHL Trois-Rivieres due to defensive injuries.
Goalie Hunter Jones also rejoined from the Lions.
- New Signings: Laval inked defenseman Luke Mittelstadt for the remainder of the season, with his entry-level deal starting next year.
They also signed winger Dillan Bentley to a two-year contract, adding him on a tryout basis for now.
Upcoming Matchups
Wednesday vs Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Laval faces a non-divisional opponent for the first time in over a month.
The Penguins have been on a five-game skid but remain ahead of Laval in the standings. With key players up in Pittsburgh, Laval will need to capitalize on this opportunity.
Friday vs Springfield
The Thunderbirds are struggling, with a poor goal differential and a depleted roster after the trade deadline. This is a crucial game for Laval to maintain momentum and keep pace in the standings.
Final Thought
Montreal made an unusual move at the AHL trade deadline, acquiring goalie Hunter Shepard and winger Jake Chiasson from Ottawa, while sending Riley Kidney and Ryan O’Rourke the other way. This trade provides goaltending depth and a fresh start for the players involved.
Shepard, despite recent struggles, has a history of success and could be a valuable asset if he regains form. For Ottawa, the move was a financial decision, shedding Shepard’s hefty AHL salary.
As the season progresses, the impact of these moves will become clearer, but for now, Laval and Montreal are positioning themselves for a strong finish.