Humiliated 6-1 by the Toronto Marlies the day before and in the heart of a constant fight for a place in the playoffs, the Laval Rocket sent a message to their rivals on Saturday.
Xavier Simoneau and Nathan Légaré scored doubles, Logan Mailloux had a goal and two assists and the Rocket defeated the Marlies 7-1.
“It shows our resilience,” said Légaré after the match. We were not satisfied with our performance [vendredi], and I think it’s a great proof of maturity on our part. »
“I am very happy with the effort,” added head coach Jean-François Houle. I think we showed that we are capable of facing adversity. It wasn’t an easy match yesterday, but we responded. »
Filip Cederqvist and Jan Mysak also scored for the Rocket. Kasimir Kaskisuo made 28 saves against his former team, winning a fifth game in six starts with the Montreal Canadiens’ farm club.
Roni Hirvonen was the only scorer for the Marlies. Called on in relief in the second period, Dennis Hildeby stopped 11 pucks.
This victory allowed the Rocket to remain at the height of a very tight fight in the North section, while three points currently separate five teams.
The Rocket, who had lost five of their last six games before this one, came within two points of the Marlies, installed in third place. The Rochester Americans, Utica Comets and Belleville Senators are also involved in this battle.
“For the guys it’s “fun”. I didn’t really have the chance to fight for the playoffs last year, but I know that here, they did it, launched Légaré. We want to fight until the end. »
The Rocket will enjoy a few days off before a grueling weekend ahead. The Laval team will play three games in 44 hours starting Friday, visiting the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Bridgeport Islanders.
“It’s very close in the standings and all the matches are important,” said Houle. When you go on the road, if you’re able to play for, 500, you give yourself a chance. »
Explosive start
Houle’s men did not want to suffer the same fate as Friday, so they started the match strong. They returned to the locker room with a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.
Joshua Roy was initially scheduled to take part in the match, but he was recalled by the Canadian. Cederqvist replaced him in the lineup.
The Swede made sure to leave his mark in this match by scoring the first goal, at 8:22 of the first. After a miraculous save from Keith Petruzzelli’s stick at the expense of Tobie Paquette-Bisson, Cederqvist recovered the return to break the goalless score.
“ [Cederqvist] got dressed two minutes before the meeting before the match, laughed Paquette-Bisson. We told him he was going to come out strong, and as a matter of fact, he had a good match. »
Simoneau doubled the visitors’ lead 49 seconds later on the power play, while Kyle Clifford was in the penalty box.
Mysak then scored his 11th goal of the campaign with 1:51 remaining in the first period.
Despite his sensational save, Petruzzelli gave way to Hildeby at the start of the second period after allowing three goals on 12 shots.
Légaré could have added to his team’s lead at the end of the first, but his shot during a two-on-one run missed the target with a few seconds to go. He made amends in the second by deflecting a shot from Olivier Galipeau.
Simoneau made it 5-0 by pushing the puck between Hildeby’s pads, but not without having to pay the price right in front of the goalie. Mailloux added just 1:13 later with a precise shot as he pressed the attack.
Hirvonen closed the gap with just over two minutes left in the middle period. It was a first goal in eight games in the American League for the Finnish prospect of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Légaré added an insurance goal at 6:52 of the third. It was his fourth shorthanded goal this season.
“It feels good to contribute to the team’s success. It’s quite “fun” to score in a victory, and we are quite satisfied with the result,” commented Légaré.
Houle had to manage his defensive numbers in this meeting since Mattias Norlinder and Justin Barron left the match, injured. Barron, however, returned to the game in the third.