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Laval @ Rochester recap & highlights: Rocket fall short in game two

Posted on by Matt Drake
Credit: Laurent Corbeil / Arena du Rocket Inc.)

After a thrilling 5-4 win in the opening game of the series, the Laval Rocket were back in action on Friday night looking to take a commanding lead over the Rochester Americans. With a short best-of-five series giving them the next three games on home ice, a win would give them three straight chances to advance in their own barn. If there really is no place like home, they had a chance to make sure that the series would be won or lost in their own abode.

The Rocket started with an early power play opportunity in the first period, and while it looked dangerous, they couldn’t quite light the lamp. That proved costly, as they’d have to kill a penalty themselves shortly thereafter with William Trudeau and Adam Engstrom both in the box. Off the initial draw, Kale Clague took the puck and unleashed a clapper from the point that went through everyone and made it 1-0 for the home side.

Jacob Fowler had to make a few key saves on a second consecutive power play for the Americans, but then the penalty festival continues with Laval getting their second chance of the frame. They didn’t score there, but a somewhat lucky deflection by Laurent Dauphin shortly after the failed power play would tie the game all the same.

That tie was extremely short-lived however, as the Americans would come right back down the ice to restore their lead. Isak Rosen would tip a Ryan Johnson point shot in front, giving no chance to Fowler and putting the Americans on top 2-1. That was all the scoring that an eventful first period would have, and the Rocket went to the room needing to figure out how to generate more offensive opportunities.

It took just a few minutes in the second period for them to find one. A bad turnover in the defensive zone found its way to Lucas Condotta in the slot, and the Rocket captain made no mistake on the forehand, tying the game at two.

Laval did well at calming the game down from that point, sending pucks deep into the Rochester zone and establishing their forecheck. Eventually, this strategy would pay off nicely, as Jared Davidson would make it 3-2 and give the Rocket their first lead of the evening.

It looked like they’d be leaving the second period with a one-goal lead, but of course the chaos of this series to date would apply to the final minute of the period. Fowler mishandled a puck in front, and Lukas Rousek put the rebound home to tie the game at three before the final frame.

The closest of calls would come early in the third period, with a puck about to cross the Rocket goal line. David Reinbacher would intervene, yanking the puck from danger and preventing disaster.

A little later, the Rocket would get another chance on the power play. Scoreless in the game to that point with the man advantage, they needed a goal badly. They didn’t get it, and the Americans ended up with a chance of their own just past the midway point of the period. Jiri Kulich would hammer a one-timer through traffic, and the Rocket found themselves down yet again in this game with little less than eight minutes to play.

With 3:33 left on the clock, Logan Mailloux was called for high sticking, which felt tantamount to signaling the end of the game. They didn’t allow a goal there, but an empty-netter from Isak Rosen a little later would seal a 5-3 win for Rochester, sending the series to Laval tied up at one apiece.

Final score: Rocket 3, Americans 5

The best-of-five series, tied at one apiece, will now shift to Laval for the remaining three games. The Rocket can advance if they can just go 2-1 in their own barn.

Thoughts

  • You simply cannot charge an ounce of that loss to Jacob Fowler. The third Americans’ goal was perhaps one he’d like back, but outside of that he was excellent. Given Pascal Vincent’s willingness to run both of his goaltenders, it will be reasonable to see Cayden Primeau again in game three, but he should feel no less comfortable with Fowler moving forwards. Habs fans should as well feel no less comfortable with the possibility of this kid being the future of the franchise. He looks like the real deal.
  • Speaking of the future, David Reinbacher was very good in this game. His highlight was pulling that puck off the goal line, but he looked very poised throughout the night. He positions himself very well, anticipates plays better than most, and all despite missing plenty of action this season. He’ll get where he wants to go, given some better injury luck.
  • Adam Engstrom is perhaps the underdog to take a spot on the Montreal blue line next season, but ruling him out would be moronic. He does fun things with the puck every shift. It is a fantastic problem for the Habs to have if he’s the longshot going into next season.
  • Florian Xhekaj is a special kind of nightmare to play against. If you watch the NHL playoffs, every remaining team has a guy like him in some type of way. No team has a player exactly like him, and that could just be his path to the NHL.

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