A disturbing scene occurred in Laval on Friday night when Laval Rocket forward Xavier Simoneau left the game against the Belleville Senators on a stretcher.
The 21-year-old rookie was hit hard in the face by teammate Joel Teasdale’s stick as the two players tried to defend an opposing attack in the second period. He was hit close to one eye.
After taking the hit, Simoneau removed his helmet before heading to his bench. He stopped on the way and lay on the rink for a long time before leaving on a stretcher. On the bench, Teasdale seemed shaken.
The Rocket announced on their social media that the striker had been taken to hospital as a preventative measure.
Egor Sokolov plays heroes in shootout against the Rocket
PHOTO FROM TWITTER ACCOUNT @ROCKETLAVAL
Egor Sokolov was the only shooter to flash the red light in the shootout and forced the Laval Rocket to a 2-1 loss to the Belleville Senators on Friday.
Sokolov surprised Rocket goalkeeper Kevin Poulin with a low shot from the slot and gave his team the two points.
Mads Sogaard, who hadn’t gotten a start since Nov. 11, made 32 saves and got ahead of the Rocket’s three shooters.
Rourke Chartier was a hit with the advantage of a man for the Ontario formation (11-11-1). The Senators then enjoyed a four consecutive power play.
Tory Dello was the Rocket’s lone scorer (7-13-4). In the loss, Poulin stopped 30 shots.
The two clubs will cross swords again in less than 24 hours at Place Bell. Saturday afternoon, Jean-François Houle’s men will try to end a three-game losing streak.
The Canadian Press