The Laval Rocket have struggled on the road for most of this season, but on their most important road trip of the season, they are playing some of their best hockey. The Rocket defeated the Rockford IceHogs 3-0 on Friday night, their third straight win on the road.
Emil Heineman scored his fifth goal in five games in the AHL and Cayden Primeau made 26 saves for the Rocket in a game that was delayed due to a tornado warning midway through the first period. Nicolas Beaudin had three assists and Mitchell Stephens had two goals.
The game started with some chances on both ends, but both goaltenders were up to the task. Primeau was especially solid early on with at least four dangerous shots saved in the first 10 minutes.
With 8:20 remaining in the first period, the game was stopped as the arena seating area needed to be evacuated due to a tornado warning in the area. The game was delayed around 40 minutes, and play resumed after a four minute warmup period.
Once play resumed, Primeau continued his strong play. He ended up making 10 saves in the opening period as Laval outshot Rockford 11-10. Laval had two power plays in the period, and took their only penalty of the period at the buzzer.
The line of Stephens, Pierrick Dubé, and Heineman had lots of chances and was Laval’s best. They got on the board late in the second period. With under three minutes remaining, Heineman tipped the Nicolas Beaudin shot past Arvid Soderblom to give the Rocket a 1-0 lead.
Le premier but du match!
First goal of the game! #GoRocket https://t.co/QCo2LUIO4j pic.twitter.com/NohEUGnFri— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) April 1, 2023
The chances continued for that line throughout the third period, and finally ended up doubling the lead and beating Soderblom midway through the final frame. Mitchell Stephens picked up the loose puck and fired it past the IceHogs goaltender to make it 2-0.
Mitchell Stephens double l’avance du Rocket!
Stephens doubles the Rocket lead! #GoRocket https://t.co/ZJQiJXVGn4 pic.twitter.com/YFusa64hKF— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) April 1, 2023
It really was a dominant performance for Laval. Soderblom was great for Rockford and the Rocket hit several posts behind him. The Rockford goaltender made 37 saves to keep his team in it.
A late Rockford penalty with 2:40 remaining all but sealed the game for the Rocket. Stephens added his second of the game into the empty net on the power play to make it 3-0. Ironically, the empty net goal was Laval’s only power play goal of the game, and they ended the game 1/6 with the advantage.
The Rocket finish their four-game road trip on Saturday with a game against the Milwaukee Admirals and look to win their fourth straight game as they continue their playoff push.
Lineup
L’alignement du match de ce soir
Tonight’s lineup#GoRocket pic.twitter.com/YQmHTpDW1r— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) March 31, 2023
Brandon Gignac was a game-time decision but finally was able to play. Jan Mysak was scratched.
Tory Dello returned to the lineup with Frederic Allard, Olivier Galipeau and Madison Bowey sitting out as Rocket head coach Jean-François Houle went with the young group on defence.
Kevin Poulin was the backup as newcomer Jakub Dobeš has not yet joined the team.
Standings
The Rocket are in fifth spot on pure points, but Cleveland is one point behind with three games in hand, putting them ahead on points percentage. Belleville is also in the picture, three points behind with one game in hand. Laval has one game left with Cleveland next Friday at home. After the game on Saturday, four of Laval’s final five games are at Place Bell.
