(Laval) The success of the organization of the Montreal Canadiens has often relied on the brilliance of its goalkeepers. Plante, Dryden, Roy and Price. All as talented as they are popular. In Laval, the Rocket has its new star, and it’s called Cayden Primeau.
Updated yesterday at 11:15 p.m.
As in the previous game, the Rocket doorman was sparkling Monday night. He was the hometown anchor and helped his team take a 2-0 series lead against the Rochester Americans with a 3-1 win.
Primeau represents to some extent the future of the Canadiens in net, and Laval fans seem to take full measure of it.
In the pre-game presentation, to the sound of the play Warriors, of Imagine Dragons, and under the blue and white lights, he was the most applauded player by the people present at Place Bell. Fans even chanted “Primeau! Primeau! for long seconds.
The Rocket’s masked man stopped 31 of 32 shots aimed at him and he managed to impose himself and dictate the pace of the game. “He’s so confident,” said Brandon Gignac to explain why his goalie is having such a good time.
In six games since the start of the playoffs, Primeau has won 5 games, in addition to maintaining a 1.65 goals-against average and a .949 save percentage.
Nevertheless, beyond the statistics, it is the manner, in the case of Primeau, which impresses the most. ” It’s incredible ! He’s been there for us all year, and now he’s more than ever. It gives us an advantage over the opponent when starting, ”added Gignac, who also scored the first goal of the game, in the first period.
It was really in the second period that Primeau managed to convince the few people who were not yet seduced. He was smoking shorthanded at the very end of the period, blocking Lukas Rousek and JJ Peterka in quick succession, with a big gap like Jean-Claude Van Damme.
When the siren sounded to end the middle period, the crowd surged to give their new darling a standing ovation. Laval was in awe of his other number 31. All his teammates came to give him a fist or a hug before retreating to the locker room.
“He made several big saves to save goals, and that completely changed the look of the game. […] We have to tip our hats to him,” said defender Louie Belpedio, who scored the second goal for his team thanks to a precise shot in the upper part following a nice exchange between Cédric Paquette and Alex Belzile.
Primeau continued to shine in the third period to extinguish any threat from the opposing team. He yielded only once, on the power play, on a wrist shot from Arttu Ruotsalainen. Never mind, Primeau finished the match as he started it: to thunderous applause and the sound of his name resounding even in the heights of Place Bell.
A frenzied atmosphere
The Laval Rocket is experiencing the first playoffs in its history. The organization, like the supporters, is doing all it can to make this introduction memorable.
From the quartet of violinists to the pyrotechnics before the game, not forgetting the many white Rocket t-shirts offered to fans and the lights of thousands of mobile phones lit by the crowd, Laval has marked its territory.
“The atmosphere here is something,” said Tobie Paquette-Brisson with a smile. I have never seen a crowd like that in my life. »
Playing in Laval right now is incredible.
Tobie Paquette-Brisson
The majority of the 9386 spectators gathered at the home of their favorites will certainly have shoulder pain over the next few days, so much they waved their white towels. Tradition now widespread in the world of hockey.
This energy also propelled the Rocket in the first period. First third of the game the home team outshot 17-7.
The party continued until the end of the match and was reinforced by the goal of Lucas Candotta, who learned during the day that he was going to be inserted into the formation.
“It’s the best crowd I’ve played in the American League. No one loves hockey as much as Quebecers,” said Belpedio.
The fans started a wave that lasted several minutes in the second period. A wave that could have lasted practically longer than this series, since the Rocket will have the chance to sweep the Americans, Wednesday, at their home.