LAVAL | The Rocket came home with two losses in as many road trips over the weekend and no one was happy.
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After the 5-0 defeat at Syracuse on Saturday, a sixth in seven games, head coach Jean-François Houle had promised difficult training sessions and he set the tone Monday morning with great intensity.
“I liked this morning’s practice which was quite a bit harder than the others we had before. We want to make sure we have the right ways of doing things and we want the intensity to increase a little because we didn’t like our weekend,” insisted Houle.
“At the beginning of the year, we said that it would be a rock ‘n’ roll start to the season, we knew what to expect with the decision to make a youth turn,” added Houle, who continues to speak of patience as at the start of the season.
“[Ça prendra] the time it will take for each player to properly develop, it’s a development league. Yes we want to win, but every player is different. There are some that develop faster and others less.
“But it’s hard to develop properly when you’re losing matches, it’s a lot easier in a winning environment and we’re going to try to turn the boat around.”
Tobie Paquette-Bisson believes that the weekend’s games served as a slap in the face to wake up the team.
Photo Martin Chevalier
Too comfortable
Also after Saturday’s game, veteran defenseman Tobie Paquette-Bisson said too many players were comfortable and assured of their ice time.
“I agree with Tobie,” replied Houle straight away. It’s important that every player is responsible, whether you’re a first-round pick, second-round pick or have an American League contract.”
Paquette-Bisson was not targeting a particular player, but still clarified his thoughts on Monday.
“We were discussing it among defenders this morning and there were guys who said that you only have one presence where you are less intense and the other team scores. But that’s what the American League is, it’s unforgiving.
“I’ve been there, played in the East Coast League, had to make my mark, and when you’re a rookie, sometimes you need a slap in the face. “It’s better that it happens in October than closer to the playoffs.”
Easy to face
It’s paradoxical to talk about players being too comfortable in a very young team, it’s a phenomenon which is rather observable in a team made up of many veterans.
“Young people still have a lot to learn about professional hockey. There are many who are surprised by the caliber of the American League,” agrees Houle.
The Rocket has yet to obtain a single point in three games on opposing ice and Brandon Gignac, a young veteran, has his way of explaining it.
“We are easy to face and that’s what we’re going to have to change. We have a lot of talent on the team and it’s a matter of time before it works. We don’t want excuses, we have talent and we just have to make it click. Today’s practice was a wake-up call and I think things will go well this week.”
This is to be hoped since the team will play three matches in four evenings at Place Belle. She will host the Utica Comets on Wednesday and the Toronto Marlies on Friday and Saturday.