The record has been skipping for a few weeks already, but reality does not change for the Laval Rocket. If he wants to secure a place in the playoffs, he can no longer escape points.
The Montreal Canadiens’ farm club was not the most convincing during the last weekend, but it managed to keep its head above water by obtaining two points out of a possible four, following a 7-4 victory over the Springfield Thunderbirds.
The way these points were acquired, however, did not fully satisfy head coach Jean-François Houle. His men took leads 2-0 and 4-2, but each time, indiscipline gave the Thunderbirds rhythm to tie the game.
Houle led an intense practice at Place Bell on Monday, but the atmosphere was relaxed, as was often the case. Even former Habs Paul Byron, who is now a player development consultant, showed off by serving a cup of coffee to Strauss Mann during a friendly shootout.
Arnaud Durandeau eventually ended the debate, forcing the losing group – and Byron – to skate from one end of the ice surface to the other. Suddenly there seemed to be no trace of Saturday’s lackluster performance.
“At this time of year, you have to stay positive, through the highs and the lows. During our meeting this morning, we told the players that it hadn’t been perfect, but that we had still scored seven goals. We watched videos to make fixes, but we also showed the positive things. You have to look forward because the negative gets you nowhere,” said the head coach.
Indiscipline did not need to be on the agenda for the players to discuss it in the locker room.
The Rocket are currently the second most punished team in the American Hockey League and in the midst of the playoff race, special teams can make a big difference.
The Cleveland Monsters, Laval’s next opponents, are looking for this small opening to get back on track. They just ended a seven-game losing streak, but in the last eight games, they have scored just three goals on 31 power plays.
Nevertheless, the Cleveland squad must be taken seriously in this facet of the game, since they were in the top 10 of the American League before their low point. Furthermore, she shouldn’t have to look for motivation for the next two home clashes against the Rocket this week, after she was swept away in Laval a month ago.
“We often talk about indiscipline. Often, it breaks our rhythm and the players who are punished are frustrated afterwards. Being a young team, I think that brings that. In addition, the Monsters have a very good numerical advantage so we will have to be even more disciplined. They have lost a lot of games recently so I think they will start strong,” said defenseman Tobie Bisson.
Absent Saturday due to a lower-body injury, forward Brandon Gignac did not participate in training Monday, but will travel to Cleveland on Tuesday. His presence in either of the two matches remains uncertain.
Negotiating with pressure
After “Dr Shot”, the Rocket welcomed Dr Scott to Place Bell on Monday.
David Scott, the Canadian’s sports psychology advisor, was on hand to speak to the players during these important end-of-season moments.
The Laval team has been fighting for its survival for several weeks already and it is still clinging to the fifth and last place giving access to the playoffs in the North section, with four games to play. Behind her, the Belleville Senators hold the same number of points, with two games in hand, while the Utica Comets are only one point behind, with one more game to play.
Bisson may not boast a degree in sports psychology, but he has played professional hockey long enough to be able to help the younger players down the stretch.
“I talk a lot with the young people, the new players who have just arrived. I just tell them to play their style. We try not to put too much pressure on ourselves. We know it’s close, but we just have to do our best and work hard to win the games. We are focused on sneaking into the playoffs and then we will see how it goes,” he said.
Dr. Scott still managed to use a bit of reverse psychology on Houle.
“He walked by me and told me we had a great season. I told him that I would like to participate in the playoffs so he moved that to the other side because it’s his job to do it, said the head coach with a laugh. He wanted me to realize that it wasn’t that bad. »
“He asked me: ‘If I told you that with your young team, you would be in the playoff race in April with four games to play, would you be happy?’ I told him absolutely. This is where we are. »
Houle will perhaps get the help of one more soldier in the coming days, as forward Florian Xhekaj was eliminated from the OHL playoffs this weekend.
Xhekaj, who was called a unicorn by the Bleu-blanc-rouge management after his selection in the fourth round of the most recent NHL draft, has amassed 34 goals and 65 points in 63 games with the Brantford Bulldogs this season.
“We’re going to take three or four of the unicorns,” Houle said with a laugh. He is a player who is capable of playing physical and being tiring, but he has shown that he can be more than that. He’s a player who perhaps fits our mold right now. It’s the organization that will decide. »