In the midst of an intense fight for a spot in the American Hockey League playoffs, the Laval Rocket got a great performance from Cayden Primeau, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Belleville Senators, who are saved with a 2-1 shootout win Wednesday at Place Bell.
The Rocket goaltender was incredible the entire game, but especially in overtime, where he earned a standing ovation after making five tough saves. Primeau finished his match with 40 parries, but was unable to block the two shooters he faced in the shootout.
Meanwhile, neither Rafaël Harvey-Pinard nor Jesse Ylönen could overcome Mads Sogaard one-on-one. The goalie for the Ottawa Senators farm club stopped 29 pucks.
The Rocket could count on the return to play of injured players. Fullback Louie Belpedio was in action after missing both games last weekend. The former Minnesota Wild did not collect a point, unlike fullback Nicolas Mattinen, one of the players recalled in the last few days by the organization affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens. He was the passer on Cédric Paquette’s second goal in Laval.
Clark Bishop was the Senators’ lone regulation scorer.
Patience in the infirmary
Forwards Alex Belzile and Lukas Vejdemo, as well as defender Josh Brook, have started skating again with athletic therapists. The return to play of Belzile – out since February following a nasty fall – and Brook, out for about a month, are expected in one to two weeks, while Vejdemo should be back in two weeks .
Forward Cameron Hillis, injured in the upper body should return in early April. Also, defender Tory Dello (lower body) will be absent for two to four weeks, according to what the Montreal Canadiens’ school club said on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, the fitness of defenders Tobie Bisson (return in mid-April) and Gianni Fairbrother (return in late May) is proceeding as planned.
With 60 points in 53 outings, Laval ranks second in the North section.