While the Montreal Canadiens will have a back-to-back of their own on Super Bowl weekend, the Laval Rocket started one of their own on Friday night. With two consecutive games against the Toronto Marlies in Toronto, the Habs’ AHL affiliate had a golden opportunity to build on their North Division lead.
They were also looking to build on some very strong results of late, coming into the back-to-back on a five-game winning streak. To give them an extra boost, it was announced that Joshua Roy would make his long-awaited return from injury for the first game on Friday night.
They jumped all over the Marlies from the opening faceoff, taking the puck into the Toronto zone and allowing few forays into their own. By the midway point of the period, they had built up an 8-0 lead on the shot clock, but were being somewhat frustrated by Dennis Hildeby. That was of course until Sean Farrell stole a weak clearing attempt, and beat him clean over the shoulder to make it 1-0 for the Rocket.
Sean Farrell steals the clearing attempt, and snipes it to give Laval a 1-0 lead.
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) February 8, 2025
The Rocket have yet to allow a shot on goal 17 minutes into this game. pic.twitter.com/kjndWL7dBK
It was a short-lived lead, however, as the Rocket would cough up a bad giveaway on their third power play, and Alex Steeves was sent in alone on Cayden Primeau. Primeau got a piece of the puck, but it trickled past him to tie the game at one on just the first shot the Marlies had mustered nearly 18 minutes into the game.
But the Rocket didn’t allow that mistake to get them down. They immediately went back to work on that power play, and used it to take their lead back. Jared Davidson had a one-timer from the point, perhaps tipped in front by Filip Mesar, and the Rocket were right back on top before the end of the first period.
Jared Davidson with the shot, and perhaps a tip in front by Filip Mesar?
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) February 8, 2025
Either way, the Rocket are back on top 2-1. pic.twitter.com/Jpgie0Kc0i
They didn’t let up in the second period either, as they immediately went back to work getting the puck deep in the Toronto zone and looking to create. Vincent Arseneau threw a beautiful backhand pass out of the corner, and Farrell pounced on it for his second of the night to make it 3-1 for Laval.
Arseneau with a nifty pass out to Sean Farrell, and he snipes his second of the night to make it 3-1 Laval. pic.twitter.com/XJTMFoy8JH
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) February 8, 2025
Shortly after the two-goal lead was established, however, Ryan Tverberg came in with a chance that was denied, and nobody was able to clear the rebound, so he found it himself and beat Cayden Primeau to bring Toronto back within a goal on just their seventh shot of the game.
Just as they did after the first goal against, the Rocket got right back on their horse. Cayden Primeau sent a stretch pass to Florian Xhekaj at the offensive blue line, and he feathered it in for Farrell, who made no mistake in securing his hat trick before the midway point of the game.
Cayden Primeau to Florian Xhekaj, into the middle for one-five, and it is a hat trick for Sean Farrell before the midway point of the game!
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) February 8, 2025
4-2 Laval. pic.twitter.com/t4zkFN8QK3
So the Rocket took a two-goal lead into the final frame, giving themselves a solid chance at a sixth straight victory. The Marlies, for their part, came out gunning in the third, stringing together a few good chances that were rebuffed by Primeau. The Rocket were content to sit on that two goal lead for the entirety of the period, and they did so successfully, with a Lucas Condotta empty netter sealing a 5-2 win, and extending the team’s winning streak to six.
League standings
Thoughts
- We all know that I’m biased, but Joshua Roy looked objectively solid for his first game back from injury. He had a few chances, and didn’t look out of place at any point. Returning on a back-to-back is a tough challenge, so we’ll see how he looks tomorrow afternoon.
- It is nice to see Cayden Primeau doing well in Laval after a rough go at things in the show. He had a tough night – goaltenders don’t usually love waiting 18 minutes to feel the puck for the first time – but I felt he played well overall. His stretch pass on the third Farrell goal was just beautiful work from a goaltender.
- Jared Davidson won a fight he didn’t start against a much bigger foe in Cade Webber, and scored his team-leading 17th goal of the season. I think the Habs would be making a mistake if they didn’t give him a crack at their bottom-six before this season is over. They have something with this kid, and they owe it to themselves to find out if he’s an NHL option. He sure looks like one.
- Sean Farrell might be one of the most interesting prospects to never make it big. His shot is undeniable. When he can simply catch and shoot, he’s a legitimate threat, but he seems to be pushed off the puck far too easily for someone with NHL aspirations. He was the best player on the ice in that game, and yet it felt like he could have done more. If I were him, I would live in the gym until I’m able to impose myself more, because he has the talent to play at the next level if his physicality catches up.
- I have to hand it to Pascal Vincent. Injuries, call-ups, whatever you throw at him, he has this team humming. Two of their best players were snatched from them, and still they looked like a significantly superior team against Toronto until they felt content with their lead. Remove any player from the lineup and he seems to be able to find a way to make it work. They have the right man for the job in Laval.
Game two will be tomorrow afternoon, right after the Montreal Canadiens’ game versus the New Jersey Devils.
