The Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate sweep weekend doubleheader
by Chris G, Rocket Sports, Montreal Canadiens blogger
The Laval Rocket wrapped up a five-game homestand on Wednesday against the Bridgeport Islanders (New York Islanders), and then headed on the road for a double header versus the Utica Comets (New Jersey Devils) over the weekend.
Wednesday: Bridgeport Islanders 5 - Laval Rocket 2
The Islanders led 1-0 into the second period when Sean Farrell set up Alex Barre-Boulet for a one-timer from the faceoff dot for a power play goal. Bridgeport grabbed the lead in the final minute of the period while Laurent Dauphin was in the box and once again in the early stages of the third period. Laval cut the lead to one goal with under five minutes remaining when Barre-Boulet scored his second power play goal of the night with a wrist shot from the slot. Former Canadien Chris Terry scored two times in 0:59, including one empty netter to send his team to victory.
“We could have put this game out of reach in the first period. We missed the net, our execution wasn’t fast enough,” Pascal Vincent said following the match against the AHL’s last place team in the standings. “They were opportunistic. They had a couple of shots on rebounds. Individual errors and the puck was in the back of our net.”
Friday: Laval Rocket 4 - Utica Comets 1
Sean Farrell opened the scoring during the first power play opportunity with a backhander from the slot. The Rocket doubled their lead in the second period when Florian Xhekaj redirected Zach Hayes' shot for the goal. The power play struck again later in the period when Dauphin was hanging out in the crease area and banked in Farrell’s rebound across the goal line. Utica got on the board before intermission with a power play goal with Lucas Condotta in the penalty box. Xhekaj sealed the win with an empty netter later into the third period.
"We couldn't start the way we started against Bridgeport. We addressed the situation and we played a good game,” Vincent noted.
Saturday: Laval Rocket 3 - Utica Comets 2
For a second consecutive game, Sean Farrell opened the scoring with a one-timer from the slot during a power play. The visitors added to their lead in the second period when Jared Davidson made a pass in the crease area that Filip Mesar tipped the puck in the net. The Comets did not have their last word and tied the game with two goals in 1:01 of action. Farrell broke the tie in the third period with a backhander for his second of the night.
New Record
With the empty net goal in Friday’s game, Florian Xhekaj set a new team record for most goals by a rookie with 17. Lucas Condotta held the previous record.
"What he's doing is really impressive, beyond the goals. His contribution to the penalty kill,” Vincent spoke about the 20-year-old forward. “At the start of the season, he was a guy that we weren't sure if we wanted to keep him. We had the option to send him to juniors. I've been impressed by him since rookie camp."
Roster News
David Reinbacher was unavailable for all three games due to a lower body injury that will be evaluated daily. "There's no panic. We're following the process that's being given to us. He's looking forward to playing. He's going to practice [on Saturday]. We're just really making sure and being really prudent,” said the coach in Utica on Friday.
Rafael Harvey-Pinard left during the first period of Wednesday’s game after being hit by Chris Terry. Harvey-Pinard headed to the dressing room favouring his left shoulder. The team will provide an update on the injury early into the week.
Filip Mesar returned to the lineup on Wednesday after missing nine games with an upper body injury.
On Thursday, the Rocket signed William Dineen to a professional tryout contract. The 24-year-old forward, son of former NHLer Kevin Dineen, finished his fourth season with Yale University, where he obtained 18 points in 30 games.
Up Next
The Rocket return to Place Bell for another five-game homestand, beginning with the Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs) on Wednesday, followed by a double header against the Cleveland Monsters (Columbus Blue Jackets) on Friday and Saturday.
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