(Laval) By its physical aspect, Place Bell is probably one of the most attractive amphitheaters in the American Hockey League. This appeal is amplified by dynamic match entertainment and stands that are often filled to capacity. It now remains to be seen whether, in 2023-24, hockey will be played there beyond the date of April 20.
The Laval Rocket players can still hope for it after their 7-4 victory against the Springfield Thunderbirds in front of a packed house of 10,293 spectators in Laval on Saturday afternoon.
But the least we can say is that it was laborious. And also very imperfect, if we exclude the performances of the trio formed by Mitchell Stephens (3-2), Arnaud Durandeau (2-1) and Lias Andersson (0-3), and that of goalkeeper Jakub Dobes, once again solid despite the four goals conceded.
Stephens, Durandeau and Andersson, in that order, were named the three stars of a match in which the Rocket, however, let slip leads of 2-0 and 4-2.
“There were several things we did that I didn’t like, but I liked that each time we came back. We managed to score big goals, which we hadn’t had recently,” underlined head coach Jean-François Houle during his press briefing.
“Stephens had a really good game,” added Houle. He was on pucks, he was around the net, he was hungry. Durandeau was in the slot and scored two goals because he was well positioned. »
If the overall report of this victory is not more positive, it is largely because of episodes of indiscipline which helped to revive the Thunderbirds and keep the match close for around 50 minutes.
An indiscipline that we have seen too often since the start of the season and which helps explain why the Laval team totals 1082 penalty minutes, 17 less than the team record, which dates back to the 2017-2018 season, the Rocket’s first in the American League.
Only the Tucson Roadrunners, with 1,144 minutes, have spent more time in the penalty box than those of the Rocket this season.
“We took two penalties while we had the power play, and we often find a way to shoot ourselves in the foot. We have a two-goal lead and we take stupid penalties,” said Houle, while admitting that such situations can become frustrating for a head coach.
“That’s something we’re going to talk about, again.” It must be done by committee. That’s everyone. The leadership group must manage this issue inside the locker room. »
Regardless, the Rocket (32-28-8 – 72 points) remains in the fight for qualification for the playoffs in the North section, where five of the seven teams that make it up will be admitted.
However, the Syracuse Crunch (38-23-6 -82 points) obtained its bye on Saturday, while the Cleveland Monsters (36-23-8 – 80 points) and the Rochester Americans (35-22 – 9 – 79 points) are in favorable positions with five and six games remaining, respectively.
Besides the Rocket, there are the Toronto Marlies (32-22-11 – 75 points), the Belleville Senators (33-27-6 – 72 points) and the Utica Comets (30-27-9 – 69 points). ) in this constant struggle.
With four games on its schedule, the Rocket will begin its final sprint Thursday evening with the first of two games in three days in Cleveland. He will finish it with a duel in Belleville on April 19, then at home against the same Senators the next evening.
But in Houle’s mind, there’s only one game that matters right now: the next one.
We take things one game at a time. You don’t know what others are going to do. They can lose, they can win. Everything can help us or the opposite. We must not look too far ahead and win our matches. We have to take care of ourselves.
Jean-François Houle, head coach of the Rocket
Stephens sees things the same way.
“Everyone in this locker room wants to experience the playoffs. We are fighting like dogs to get there. We’re taking things one day at a time, one game at a time. »