Rocket vs. Monsters: Laval Looks to Stay Hot Against Cleveland’s Surging Squad
The Laval Rocket are riding a wave of momentum, and they’ll need every ounce of it as they host the red-hot Cleveland Monsters for the first of back-to-back matchups. Laval enters the contest with a 27-14-4 record and winners of three straight, but Cleveland-the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets-isn’t just another opponent. The Monsters have gone seven straight without a regulation loss (6-0-1), making them the team to beat right now in the North Division.
This isn’t the first time these two have met this season. Cleveland took both previous meetings at home, and they did so convincingly. But with home ice on their side and a recent offensive explosion under their belt, Laval is hoping to flip the script.
Fast Starts Fuel Success
If there’s one thing Laval can lean on from their 6-2 win Wednesday night, it’s how they came out of the gate. The Rocket didn’t just score early-they completely dictated the pace.
Just 29 minutes into the game, they were up 5-0 and had held their opponent to only six shots on goal. That kind of start doesn’t just put goals on the board-it demoralizes the other bench.
“We took away their strengths early,” said head coach Pascal Vincent after the game. “They struggled with their transition and breakouts. We did a good job snuffing out their momentum before it even got going, and then we capitalized.”
That’s the kind of blueprint Laval will need again against a Cleveland team that thrives on pace and structure. If the Rocket can disrupt the Monsters’ rhythm early, they’ll give themselves a real shot at snapping Cleveland’s streak.
Roster Moves and Coaching News
The Rocket got a boost Thursday morning when forward Samuel Blais was reassigned from the Canadiens. He skated alongside Lucas Condotta and Xavier Simoneau during practice, adding veteran experience and offensive upside to the bottom six.
Laval also made a coaching move, announcing that Ilia Ejov will serve as interim goaltending coach for the remainder of the season. It’s a key role, especially with the team relying on young netminders down the stretch.
Three Key Stats to Know
- Marc Del Gaizo had a strong showing Wednesday night, notching two assists. That brings him to 15 points in 36 games, a solid return from the blue line.
- Laurent Dauphin continues to lead the league offensively.
He became the first player in the AHL to hit the 50-point mark this season, and his 1.27 points-per-game average leads all skaters with at least 25 games played. He’s been the heartbeat of this Rocket team.
- Adam Engström is making his mark in clutch moments. He leads all AHL defensemen in game-winning goals, showing a knack for stepping up when it matters most.
Last Game’s Lineup (February 4)
Forwards
- Sean Farrell - Laurent Dauphin - Alex Belzile
- Joshua Roy - Owen Beck - Filip Mešár
- Xavier Simoneau - Lucas Condotta - Tyler Thorpe
- Vincent Arseneau - Florian Xhekaj - Luke Tuch
Defense
- Adam Engström - Josiah Didier
- William Trudeau - Nate Clurman
- Marc Del Gaizo - Josh Jacobs
Goaltenders
- Jacob Fowler
- Hunter Jones
Extras: Will Dineen, Ryan O’Rourke
Injured: Tobie Bisson, Jared Davidson, Kaapo Kähkönen, David Reinbacher
With both teams trending upward, this weekend’s back-to-back set could have real playoff implications down the line. For Laval, it’s a chance to keep building confidence and prove they can hang with the best.
For Cleveland, it’s about maintaining their grip on the division’s top spot. Either way, expect intensity, speed, and a playoff-like atmosphere when the puck drops.