(Laval) It’s rare that we make much of a fourth line, but that of the Laval Rocket corresponds exactly to the style of play necessary in the final weeks of a season.
The Rocket players began their training on Thursday, at Place Bell, by clinging to the fifth and last row giving access to the playoffs in the North section. However, they do not have the luxury of taking their last six games to be played lightly.
As the pressure mounts and the game becomes more intense, physical and tight, it is not surprising to see the majority of games end in low scores. When offensive players have a little less room to work, others have to make room for them. It is in these moments that head coach Jean-François Houle relies on veterans like captain Gabriel Bourque, Lucas Condotta, Filip Cederqvist and Mitchell Stephens.
Regularly registered in the fourth trio on the scoresheet, Bourque, Condotta and Cederqvist are not necessarily relegated to a secondary role. They often earned the trust of their head coach and in return, they responded every time they stepped on the ice.
“These are players who are capable of being physical, who are responsible, who win their battles and who have experience. For a coach, you are not afraid to put players like that on the ice, no matter the situation, insisted Houle. These are guys who are going to sacrifice for the team. They’re not the ones who get the most points, but when the games are close or important, we use them more often. »
Cederqvist and Condotta have played 102 and 138 games in the American League, respectively, but they still have a way to go to catch up with an old hand like Bourque.
Aged 33, the former fifth-round pick of the Nashville Predators played in 358 games in the American League, in addition to 413 in the NHL. By his own admission, Bourque has had more difficult times this season, but he knows his role within the Rocket and he has just obtained three points in his last four outings.
I have held on to my contribution beyond points for my entire career. That’s why I played professionally for so long. I have to keep playing this way and it’s a bonus when the points come.
Gabriel Bourque
Against the Belleville Senators last Saturday, the Laval residents experienced a slump in the second period and they seemed at the end of their rope. Houle called a timeout and changed his lines, placing Condotta in the company of Brandon Gignac and Sean Farrell, two fast and offensive players.
Despite the defeat, the Rocket gained a boost of life and the experience was beneficial for about ten minutes. In training, the head coach this time brought Condotta together with Philippe Maillet and Lias Andersson, two other players more focused on attack.
Houle thought about separating his players from the fourth line to pair them with more offensive forwards, but he preferred to let them work together, in their strengths.
“We thought about it, but in terms of skills, it can be difficult to follow a player like Gignac. We try to adjust the trios so that everyone has success. Except that you can sometimes put players like that on an offensive trio, because it can give energy. Condotta, he’s not a guy who produces a lot, but he’s first on the pucks and he’s good on the forecheck,” he said.
The head coach of the Laval team would obviously like all his players to be inspired by the style of play practiced by his fourth trio, but he is aware that it does not fit into everyone’s identity, especially the young ones. Despite everything, he expects his men not to cut corners during the last three weeks of the campaign.
“Not everyone is capable of playing this style of game, but everyone is capable of playing the right way. Guys like Condotta, Bourque and Cederqvist regularly win their battles along the boards, and young guys like Farrell and (Riley) Kidney aren’t that far in their careers. You can still contribute in the right way by doing the right things by making the right decisions,” observed Houle.
The Rocket will play two games in two days at Place Bell this weekend. He will first cross swords against the Syracuse Crunch, who occupies first place in the North section, before facing the Springfield Thunderbirds, who are still in the playoff race in the Atlantic section.
None of the seven teams in the Northern section have yet confirmed their place in the playoffs, a sign of parity in this part of the American League. In the Rocket locker room, Houle doesn’t really need to remind us how crucial the next games are for the future.
“The players know what they have to do. We are simply here to support and motivate them,” he said.
“It’s time to put words into action. Especially this weekend at home. As captain, I don’t need to speak. The guys know they have to come ready,” added Bourque.