The Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate victorious weekend
by Chris G, Rocket Sports, Montreal Canadiens blogger
The Laval Rocket were on the road for back-to-back games against the Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres) on Friday, and the Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay Lightning) on Saturday.
Friday: Laval Rocket 4 - Rochester Americans 2
Rochester led 1-0 early into the second period when Alex Barre-Boulet stole the puck from an opponent behind the net and passed it to Sean Farrell in the slot for the tying goal. The Rocket took advantage of their first power play of the night as Laurent Dauphin from the crease area tapped in a bouncing puck. The Americans tied it before the intermission, after outshooting Laval 23-6 in the frame. Noel Hoefenmayer put the Canadiens affiliate back on top after receiving a pass from Dauphin and beating Devon Levi with a wrist shot from the faceoff dot. In the late stages of the period, Jared Davidson scored on his own rebound to make it a two-goal deficit. Cayden Primeau made 40 saves to record the victory.
Saturday: Laval Rocket 2 - Syracuse Crunch 1
The Rocket got on the board in the first period when Owen Beck from behind Syracuse’s net set up Riley Kidney for a one-timer goal from the slot. Lucas Condotta doubled the lead before the intermission with a one-timer from the faceoff to the right of the goaltender. The Crunch cut the lead in half with a goal in the second period, and the score remained the same until the final horn.
Fowler Pro Debut
Jacob Fowler made his first career start as a pro in Syracuse and had a solid debut, making 25 saves to record his first victory. The only goal he allowed came from a one-timer in the slot.
There has been a lot of hype surrounding Fowler since being drafted 69th overall by the Canadiens in the 2023 NHL Draft. Several observers and fans project the 20-year-old as the organization’s next number one goalie.
“I try not to think about it too much. For me, it's trying to understand each day, trying to get better and better, and enjoying every moment of it,” Fowler said about the pressure following his first practice at Place Bell. “This has been a dream of mine since I was a young kid. To now sitting in these shoes, it's cool to take a minute and look around and appreciate everything and everyone that's helped"
Roster News
David Reinbacher travelled with the team and jumped on the ice for practice. Pascal Vincent expects that he returns to game action this week.
Tyler Thorpe joined the club for Wednesday’s practice at Place Bell after signing a professional tryout contract along with a three-year entry-level contract with the Canadiens starting the 2025-26 season. “The decision came rather rapidly. I wasn’t certain that I was coming here at the end of my season, but once they made that decision, I was ready to go, and ready to head out here. It was a quick turnaround but I’m happy to be here,” said the 6-foot-5 forward drafted 130th overall in the latest draft.
The Rocket signed Joseph Dunlap to a professional tryout for the remainder of the season and to a AHL contract for next season. The 25-year-old forward completed his fifth year with Ohio State University, where he collected 22 points in 39 games.
Up Next
Friday’s win secured the North Division title for Laval for the second time in franchise history. This accomplishment gives them home ice advantage to begin the post season and allows them to face the winner of the play-in round.
Listen to the Canadiens Connection podcast
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»