(Toronto) The Laval Rocket was aiming for a third win in three days when they faced the Marlies in Toronto on Sunday.
In a fierce race for a playoff spot, the Rocket continued their momentum by winning three games in three days on the road for the first time in their history, after defeating the Belleville Senators on Friday and Saturday.
This time, the Laval squad defeated the Marlies by a score of 4-1.
The Rocket also avenged their 7-1 defeat in their last duel against the Marlies, a week ago to the day.
Riley McKay, Gabriel Bourque, Sean Farrell and Filip Cederqvist, in an empty net, scored the Rocket’s goals. Kasimir Kaskisuo stopped 24 shots in the victory.
Kaskisuo hasn’t played much in the past month, as Jakub Dobes has gotten the majority of the Rocket’s starts, often even in stretches of two games in two days.
Kaskisuo had a strong game for his team and Rocket head coach Jean-François Houle highlighted his work after the game.
“He made key saves at very important moments,” Houle said. He took several dangerous shots and they got power plays and they’re great in that situation. Kaskisuo came out very well. »
Kaskisuo admitted that in the last month or two, consistency hasn’t been the best for him and the Rocket. The goalkeeper simply wants to help his team by doing his job.
“I just want to bring consistency when I start in front of the net, blocking shots consistently as well,” shared the goalie. It’s a fun place for me to play and we were able to win that game. »
Kaskisuo played for the Marlies from 2015 to 2020, in addition to playing one game with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019-20.
Alex Steeves scored the Marlies’ only goal and goaltender Dennis Hildeby stopped 16 pucks.
Both teams looked to find their rhythm early in the match, only getting one shot in the first six minutes of play.
In nearly 17 minutes of play, the Marlies had only three shots on net from Kaskisuo, despite having a power play midway through the first period. Mitchell Stephens was punished for tripping.
Bourque got the Rocket’s best scoring chance in the first minute of play in the second period. He received Stephens’ pass, but his shot in the slot lacked precision.
The Marlies opened the scoring less than a minute later when Steeves’ shot eluded Kaskisuo, who seemed hampered by traffic in front of him.
It was the 22e Steeves net of the season.
McKay tied the score when he accepted his teammate’s pass behind the net. McKay was forgotten in front of Hildeby and thwarted him with a wrist shot from the side of the shield at 7:13 of the second period.
Bourque gave his team the lead less than a minute later. The Rocket moved into offensive territory and threatened the enemy net, and it was his captain who put the finishing touch with his second goal of the campaign.
Bourque said that to win like the Rocket have done since Friday, sometimes you have to pay the price.
“There are several guys with ice right now in the locker room,” said the captain. If you want to win, you have to pay the price. »
David Reinbacher collected his first assist with the Rocket on Bourque’s goal.
Shortly after midway in the second period, Lias Andersson was robbed of a goal by Hildeby, who lay down on the ice to make the pad save.
In the following moments, Kaskisuo made an even better save by stealing from Topi Niemela’s glove, completely alone near the crease.
The Rocket goalie then stopped Steeves during a breakaway.
Farrell thanked his goaltender in the best possible way by adding to the Rocket’s lead with 2:32 remaining in the period. Farrell beat Hildeby between the pads.
Steeves got another chance alone against Kaskisuo, this time with just over eight minutes remaining in the third period. Kaskisuo once again closed the door on the Marlies forward.
The Marlies dominated the last 10 minutes of the game, but the Rocket held on by blocking several shots and Cederqvist completed the scoring in an empty net.