The Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate remains first overall following weekend matches
by Chris G, Rocket Sports, Montreal Canadiens blogger
The Laval Rocket began a five-game homestand on Wednesday by hosting the Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs), followed by back-to-back matches against the Cleveland Monsters (Columbus Blue Jackets) starting on Friday.
Wednesday: Toronto Marlies 0 - Laval Rocket 3
After a scoreless first period, Laurent Dauphin gave Laval the lead while Lucas Condotta was serving an infraction. The forward capitalized on a turnover in the neutral zone and used his speed to head on a breakaway and beat Matt Murray between the pads. Dauphin doubled the lead before the intermission when he redirected Sean Farrell’s point shot behind the goalie. The 2013 Phoenix Coyotes second round draft pick completed his second hat trick of the season with an empty netter. Cayden Primeau made 18 saves to record his third shutout of the season.
“We played well defensively. Most of the chances that we gave, came from decisions we made with the puck, and from our defensive positioning,” Pascal Vincent said. “Our five-on-five was efficient at protecting the crease, and when there was more dangerous moments, Primeau was strong.”
Friday: Cleveland Monsters 3 - Laval Rocket 2 (overtime)
The 10,243 fans inside Place Bell had to wait until the early stages of the third period to see the contest’s first goal. During a power play, Adam Engstrom setup David Reinbacher for a one-timer goal from the dot that beat the goalie top corner. The Monsters answered back while Reinbacher was in the box on a sequence that began with Tyler Wotherspoon’s stick being broken and causing confusion in the defensive coverage. Laval tied the game while being shorthanded when Florian Xhekaj completed a give-and-go on a 2-on-0. Overtime was needed at the conclusion of the third period, where things got heated between the division rivals and 22 minor penalties were called by the officials. Cleveland walked away with the extra point in the standings on a play that began with a turnover by Owen Beck in the offensive zone, which allowed the opponents to attack and bury the puck in the net.
"It's the game that we got the most grade-A chances all season. Their goalie stole a point. In the third period, the game got out of hand. We played a good game,” Vincent limited in saying, avoiding to speak about the officiating.
Saturday: Cleveland Monsters 0 - Laval Rocket 6
Laval opened the scoring 1:51 after puck drop in a sequence that began with Sean Farrell winning a battle on the boards that led to Dauphin scoring. Tyler Wotherspoon doubled the lead before the intermission with a shot from the blue line that hit a defender’s skate before crossing the line. Jared Davidson added to the lead in the second period with a one-timer from a pass by Adam Engstrom during a power play. On the next shift, Dauphin split the defence before going top corner to light the red lamp. Davidson added his second of the afternoon with another one-timer. In the third period, Engstrom went coast-to-coast during a power play, split the defence, before finishing the sequence with a highlight reel goal.
“I liked our compete level. We played well, and scored at 1:51. We had chances like that [on Friday], that we weren’t finishing,” Vincent said. “We know it’s a team that we might face in the playoffs and starting the way we did and manage the game the way we did. I think it was Hughes’ easiest shutout, but we played well in front of him."
Captain Returning
On Tuesday, the Montreal Canadiens announced a two-year two-way contract extension for Lucas Condotta starting the 2025-26 season. Condotta is his fourth season with the organization, and was named the Rocket’s fifth captain at the start of the current season. He’s played 11 games with the Canadiens over a span of three seasons, where’s he’s obtained two goals.
“I’m very happy. Laval and Montreal is home to me and my family. This is where my daughter was born. I’m super pumped. It’s a great organization and I’m happy to be here for another two years,” said the captain.
“He’s the ultimate leader. He’s a great locker room guy, always positive. He’s always laughing, making jokes. When he speaks up, you listen to him. Great captain, great guy,” described Riley Kidney.
“He’s a super positive guy, he has a lot of energy. He’s friendly with everybody, super inclusive, and brings the group together. He’s a big part of the team, wears the ‘C’ for a reason,” added Owen Beck.
Roster News
David Reinbacher returned to the lineup on Wednesday after missing four games with a lower body injury. "It was part of the process to take it slow. It's not good if you mess around with those injuries. We took a step back and I'm happy now to be back[...] I'm just happy that I can play,” said the defenceman following his return.
The Canadiens 2023 first round draft pick dressed for Friday’s contest and scored his second of the season. "I'm feeling really good. I got a lot of trust today and tried to pay it back. I'm really happy that I can finish every game. It's a big thing for me to finish the game with no pain. I tried to give everything on every shift and be happy every day.”
On Saturday, he took part of warmups and was declared as not available before puck drop. There was no information provided on the reason of his absence.
The club announced that Rafael Harvey-Pinard will miss six weeks with an upper body injury. The forward has been sidelined since March 14th.
Up Next
The Rocket begin the week in first place overall of the AHL. "We don't talk about it, but we're aware of it[...] We feel safe together, we support each other, because we protect each other, because we communicate honestly to each other. The result is great. We know where we are, but we know why, and we want to protect the why more than the results,” the coach explained the success.
They wrap up their current homestand by hosting the Marlies on Friday and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers) on Saturday.
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