Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and Alex Belzile have been following each other for three years. Both are important elements of the Laval Rocket’s attack. The two were called up at the same time in December 2021, when COVID-19 entered the Canadian’s locker room. On Saturday, the two played together as one line.
Harvey-Pinard just turned 24. Belzile, he is 31. The two could very well hang out with guys their own age, but the friendship between the two seems very strong.
“Rafael is a very mature guy. Not all guys that age are that mature. And we come from a region, maybe that helps to forge links! “Submitted Belzile, a rare Bas-Laurentien in the NHL, after training Monday in Brossard.
Harvey-Pinard, a proud Saguenean, agreed. “We talk a lot the same way. Sometimes he says a word to me that I understand and the other guys in the locker room wonder what that word was! »
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Alex Belzile
On Saturday, the two accomplices found themselves in a situation hard to imagine barely a month ago. Employed on the same line, against the Toronto Maple Leafs, on a Saturday night at the Bell Centre.
The experience started badly since the Leafs scored a goal late in the first period when Harvey-Pinard, Belzile and Michael Pezzetta were on the ice. But they rebalanced the accounts in the middle period when Harvey-Pinard hit the target, against the trio of Auston Matthews, nothing less!
Confrontations to manage
This goal, however, reminded us of a reality that awaits the Canadian in the coming weeks with a crowded infirmary. Martin St-Louis has used formations with 11 forwards and seven defensemen in the last three games, and five times in the last six. Of the 11 forwards on Saturday’s roster, four have played more games with the Rocket than with the Canadiens this season.
St-Louis must therefore give strong mandates to attackers who are still discovering the NHL. This was the case on Saturday, and it will be again on Tuesday, since the Bruins, visitors to the Bell Centre, now employ David Pastrnak in one line, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand in another.
“I try to play [Kirby] Dash and [Nick] Suzuki against the first two lines, detailed St-Louis. But sometimes you just finished a power play, those guys are tired and Matthews comes on, so you walk away from your matchup. »
It was under these circumstances that Harvey-Pinard scored on Saturday. At 12:47 of the second period, the penalty to the Maple Leafs ends. Thirteen seconds later, play stops and the face-off is in the Leafs zone. Sheldon Keefe therefore sends Matthews, and St-Louis, the Belzile trio.
“In general, at home, I try to keep confrontations, but sometimes it takes you a trio to do the job while we are not able to have the confrontation. »
We talk about it again in Belzile, and he comes up with one of his favorite lines: “Everyone has two arms and two legs. A way of saying that even though he was never drafted, has been rolling around in the American League for years and has scored 283 fewer goals than Matthews, he does not have to be intimidated.
“It reminds me of the first times I skated with Carey Price and Shea Weber,” continues Belzile. You have to think you belong because if you’re impressed, that’s where you’re on your heels. In our first appearance against Matthews, we scored and that gave us confidence. »
“Best Captain”
As long as getting such big responsibilities, Harvey-Pinard is very happy that it is with Belzile at his side.
We are used to playing together and it also seems defensively. You know the guy will be there to support you.
Rafael Harvey-Pinard
Last fall, Belzile succeeded Xavier Ouellet as captain of the Rocket, but he had already been exercising his leadership before.
“When I arrived in Laval, he integrated me into the group. He spoke to me, gave me a lot of advice. It continued last year, we talk about everything and nothing, but when we talk about hockey, he sees a lot of details that few people see, which end up making a difference.
“It’s not for nothing that he is captain. He brings the same energy every day, he integrates everyone. He’s one of the best captains I’ve had in my life. »