(Laval) Anthony Richard scored twice to top the American Hockey League scoring charts and the Laval Rocket beat the Belleville Senators 7-4 on Saturday afternoon.
The Quebec winger scored his 16e and 17e net of the season in his 25e meeting to seize the top of the ranking alone. His total of 27 points allows him to take the fifth position in the ranking of pointers of the circuit.
Both of Richard’s goals came in the first period to give the Rocket a 5-1 lead late in the frame.
Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, Jesse Ylönen and Alex Belzile all had a goal and an assist in the victory. Brandon Gignac and Lucas Condotta also hit the mark.
Defender Nicolas Beaudin had two assists while goaltender Joseph Vrbetic stopped 27 shots for the Rocket.
Scott Sabourin, twice, Angus Crookshand and Rourke Chartier provided the response for the Senators. Quebec defender Maxence Guenette had two assists.
Antoine Bibeau allowed five goals on 14 shots in the first period before giving up his place. In relief, Mads Sogaard blocked 20 of 21 shots in the direction of the Senators cage.
Jean-François Houle’s men will return to action on Wednesday to face the Utica Comets. This will be the first game of a four-game road series for the Rocket.