The Laval Rocket are heating up at just the right time, and the buzz around Place Bell is starting to feel a whole lot like spring hockey.
After a wild 5-4 overtime win against the Cleveland Monsters on Friday night, the Rocket will be gunning for their fifth straight victory Saturday afternoon. But they’ll have to earn it against a Cleveland squad that hasn’t lost in regulation in its last eight games. In short: this one’s got all the makings of a playoff preview.
Friday Night Fireworks
Let’s start with what went down Friday. It was the kind of game that reminds you why the AHL is such a breeding ground for future NHL impact players.
Laval erased a two-goal deficit in the second period, clawed back to tie it with under five minutes left, and then sealed the deal in overtime with a highlight-reel sequence from Florian Xhekaj, Samuel Blais, and Marc Del Gaizo. That’s resilience.
That’s identity. And that’s exactly what head coach Pascal Vincent is preaching.
“We’re not just chasing wins-we’re building who we are,” Vincent said postgame. “Our forecheck tonight was outstanding, and we didn’t have to run around to make it happen.
That’s playoff-style hockey. You want to know who you are before you get there, and right now, we’re starting to define that.”
You can feel it. With 26 games left on the schedule, the Rocket are playing like a team that knows exactly what’s at stake. And they’re not shying away from the “S” word anymore-séries, or in English, playoffs.
The Last Time Cleveland Came to Town…
This wasn’t just any win. Friday marked Cleveland’s first visit to Laval since they knocked the Rocket out of the playoffs last May.
So yeah, there was some extra juice in the building. Both teams brought it, and the pace, intensity, and physicality all screamed postseason.
It wasn’t just a game-it was a tone-setter.
Key Performers Stepping Up
Let’s talk about the guys making it happen.
- Joshua Roy notched his 10th and 11th goals of the season Friday, reaching double digits in goals for the third straight year in the AHL. That kind of consistency from a young forward is exactly what you want to see if you’re the Canadiens’ development staff. He’s finding his rhythm at the right time.
- Filip Mešár is heating up, too. He’s got three points in his last two games and is starting to show flashes of the offensive creativity that made him a first-round pick.
- Jacob Fowler continues to impress between the pipes. He’s won six of his last seven starts and is giving the Rocket reliable goaltending every time he’s called upon. That’s been a huge part of their current streak.
Lineup Snapshot
Here’s how Laval lined up Friday night:
Forwards:
- Sean Farrell - Laurent Dauphin - Alex Belzile
- Joshua Roy - Owen Beck - Filip Mešár
- Samuel Blais - Lucas Condotta - Xavier Simoneau
- Luke Tuch - Florian Xhekaj - Tyler Thorpe
Defense:
- Adam Engström - Josiah Didier
- William Trudeau - Nate Clurman
- Marc Del Gaizo - Josh Jacobs
Goaltenders:
- Jacob Fowler
- Hunter Jones
Scratches: Vincent Arseneau, Will Dineen, Ryan O’Rourke
Injured: Tobie Bisson, Jared Davidson, Kaapo Kähkönen, David Reinbacher
This is a lineup that’s starting to gel. There’s a mix of youth and experience, skill and grit, and the chemistry is beginning to show in all three zones.
What’s Next
Saturday’s rematch with Cleveland isn’t just about extending a win streak-it’s about continuing to build momentum and identity. With the playoff race tightening, every point matters, and every game carries weight.
Laval’s playing with purpose, and if Friday night was any indication, they’re not just trying to sneak into the postseason. They’re aiming to make some noise once they get there.
Buckle up. The Rocket are rolling, and the road to spring hockey is officially underway.