The Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate return home following five-game road trip
by Chris G, Rocket Sports, Montreal Canadiens blogger
The Laval Rocket wrapped up their five-game road trip by facing the Belleville Senators (Ottawa Senators) in Ottawa on Wednesday, the Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres) on Sunday, and the Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs) on Monday at Scotiabank Arena.
Friday: Laval Rocket 0 - Belleville Senators 5
The Senators opened the scoring with two goals in the first period with a blocker side wrist shot and a tap in after William Trudeau lost his man on the sequence. Belleville added to their lead in the second with a shot through traffic that found its way behind Cayden Primeau and later in the frame, Tyler Wotherspoon was unable to prevent the puck from crossing the line during a scramble in the crease. Ottawa’s affiliate capitalized on a penalty against Filip Mesar to add to the lead. It was the first time this season that the Rocket were blanked.
Sunday: Laval Rocket 5 - Rochester Americans 2
The Rocket wasted no time getting on the board as Sean Farrell set up Alex Barre-Boulet for a one-timer goal, 1:25 after puck drop. Barre-Boulet was in the penalty box 1:47 later when Florian Xhekaj’s shot got behind the goalie for the shorthanded goal. The Americans brought the teams back to square one with a goal before the intermission and another early in the second period. Owen Beck created separation before the intermission by scoring twice in 6:28 of action. In the third, Barre-Boulet returned the favour as he set up Farrell for a one-timer goal.
Monday: Laval Rocket 2 - Toronto Marlies 7
The Marlies took a commanding 3-0 lead in the first half of the period with a goal by former Canadiens Logan Shaw, a goal on a two-man power play, and capped off by a goal by Cedric Pare, known by the Habs fans for a knee-on-knee contact during the preseason that sidelined Patrik Laine for the first two months of the season. Laval made it a one-goal in the second period with Jared Davidson scoring a power play goal with a shot from the top of the faceoff circle and later, Joshua Roy scored with a top corner shot. Indiscipline cost the Rocket again as Toronto increased their lead with another goal during a two-man advantage. The home team made the game out of reach by adding two empty net goals and a fifth one behind Cayden Primeau in the final minute.
Reinbacher Imminent Return
Prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off break, David Reinbacher was practising with the Montreal Canadiens wearing a no contact jersey. His recovery following his knee surgery progressed further as he joined the Rocket’s practice on Friday and travelled with the team for their weekend matches. Pascal Vincent told BPM Sports that he expects the defenceman in the lineup within the next two weeks.
Roster News
Laval’s injury list continues to grow as Filip Mesar did not dress for Monday’s match due to an undisclosed injury.
Luke Tuch is sidelined with a lower body injury that occurred during the February 7th game against the Marlies. Vincent Arseneau also suffered a lower body injury during the same contest and is expected to miss 2-to-4 weeks.
Gustav Lindstrom will miss two weeks of action with an upper body injury. The defenceman last played on February 8th in Toronto.
Laurent Dauphin did not dress for the three games due to a lower body injury that will be re-evaluated on a daily basis.
To add depth to the roster, Logan Nijhoff was signed to a professional tryout contract on Saturday. The forward has 34 points in 43 games with the Trois-Rivieres Lions this season. The 23-year old has four points in 50 career AHL games over the last three seasons with the San Diego Gulls and Rockford IceHogs.
On defence, Vincent Sevigny was recalled from the ECHL affiliate. The defenceman signed a AHL deal with the team during the offseason, but has spent the entire season with the Lions, where he has obtained 17 points in 43 games. Prior to joining the Rocket, Sevigny played 86 games with the AHL’s Bridgepoint Islanders and totalled 22 points.
Up Next
The Rocket return to Place Bell to host the Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets) on Wednesday and Friday before travelling to face the Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay Lightning) on Saturday.
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