The Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate lost back-to-back games in British Columbia.
by Chris G, Rocket Sports, Montreal Canadiens blogger
The Laval Rocket were in western Canada to face the Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets) on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by a doubleheader against the Abbotsford Canucks (Vancouver Canucks) on Saturday and Sunday.
Tuesday: Laval Rocket 3 - Manitoba Moose 2
The Rocket opened the scoring in the opening minute as Alex Barre-Boulet redirected Sean Farrell’s pass for the goal. In the second period, Vincent Arseneau found Florian Xhekaj in the slot and he doubled Laval’s lead. Farrell added to the lead before the intermission as he fought off two defenders prior to scoring. The Moose got on the board in the third period while Lucas Condotta was in the box and then cut the lead to one goal with their goalie pulled in the final minute.
Wednesday: Laval Rocket 3 - Manitoba Moose 1
The Moose led 1-0 midway through the third period when Barre-Boulet from behind the net found Farrell in the slot, and he buried the puck in the net. Laval took the lead when Lucas Condotta intercepted a pass and setup Jared Davidson for a one-timer goal. William Trudeau made it a two-goal lead with a blast from the blue line.
Saturday: Laval Rocket 2 - Abbotsford Canucks 3 (shootout)
After a scoreless first period, Laurent Dauphin jumped on a rebound from Barre-Boulet’s shot to open the scoring in the first minute of the middle frame. Xhekaj doubled the lead early in the third period as he was parked in front of Arturs Silovs and knocked in a rebound for a power play goal. The Canucks did not throw in the towel and fought back with two goals in 3:55. The winner was determined in shootout with five Laval shooters stopped, and the Canucks won with one successful attempt against Cayden Primeau.
Sunday: Laval Rocket 3 - Abbotsford Canucks 4
The Canucks dominated the first 20 minutes of action, outshooting the Rocket 17-5, and 2-0 on the scoreboard. William Trudeau put his team on the board in the second, when his shot from the blue line went through traffic and crossed the goal line. The home team increased their lead with a goal in the second and another in the third. Jared Davidson reduced the lead later in the final frame by redirecting Filip Mesar’s pass behind the goalie. With less than two minutes remaining in regulation, Owen Beck cut the lead to one-goal during a power play with a shot from a sharp angle. Laval was not able to score the equalizer before the final buzzer, and allowed Abbotsford to extend their winning streak to 13 games.
Fowler Signs
On Friday, the Montreal Canadiens announced that Jacob Fowler signed an entry level contract that begins for the 2025-26 season. The goaltender signed an amateur tryout contract with the Rocket for the balance of the season and is eligible to play in the playoffs. He will practice for the first time with his new team on Wednesday. In 35 games with Boston College this season, Fowler had a 25-7-2 record, 1.63 goals against average, and .940 save percentage.
Roster News
David Reinbacher did not accompany the team on the road trip. In an interview with BPM Sports on Friday, Vincent said that the defenseman suffered a minor injury during the March 21st contest against the Cleveland Monsters.
Adam Engstrom travelled with the team but did not play due to a lower body injury that is being evaluated day-to-day.
Noel Hoefenmayer was taken to a local hospital during Saturday’s game in Abbotsford and released later in the night, after needing medical attention on the bench during the first period. He was able to dress for Sunday’s rematch.
Without any extra defensemen on the roster, the Rocket signed Connor McDonald to an amateur tryout contract for Sunday’s game in case that Hoefenmayer would be unable to dress. The defenseman was in his fourth season with the University of British Columbia, where he picked up four goals and 22 points in 27 games.
Connor Hughes left Sunday’s game during the third period, after looking uncomfortable following a breakaway save. The club did not provide any information on the goalie’s early exit.
Up Next
The Rocket wrap up the road trip against the Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres) and the Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay Lightning) on Saturday.
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