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Rocket @ Marlies recap & highlights: Laval holds on to return to win column

Posted on by Jared Book
Credit: Arena du Rocket, Inc.

The Laval Rocket used four straight goals to open up a lead and eventually hold on for a 5-4 win over the Toronto Marlies on Wednesday at Coca Cola Coliseum.

The first period was a wild one, and it started with a quick goal from the Rocket’s fourth line. Jakov Novak, playing his first AHL game of the season after leading the Trois-Rivières Lions in scoring, set up Riley Kidney from behind the net, who made no mistake and beat Toronto goaltender Artur Akhtyamov for his second goal of the season.

Toronto tied the game up less than two minutes later on the power play on a weird bounce from behind the net that seemed to bounce off of Rocket goaltender Cayden Primeau and in. The goal was credited to Fraser Minten.

Another power play goal gave the Marlies their first lead of the game with 2:38 remaining in the first period. Minten’s shot was saved by Primeau but the rebound went right to Nick Abruzzese at the side of the net, who had a wide open net to put his 11th goal of the season in.

This time, the Rocket would fight back. Only 45 seconds later, Sean Farrell found Laurent Dauphin who fed Alex Barré-Boulet and the veteran made no mistake for his 13th goal of the season.

The Rocket entered the first intermission tied 2-2 despite being outshot 13-3.

After a wild first period that included four goals and a Lucas Condotta fight, there was only one goal in the second period and it was once again scored on a Toronto power play. This time, however, it was a Rocket shorthanded goal. Florian Xhekaj put home a Dauphin rebound to give the Rocket a 3-2 lead.

Farrell continued his strong play with a goal just 47 seconds into the third period. He snuck behind the defence and put home the Xhekaj feed for his 12th goal of the season.

Farrell is now up to eight goals and seven assists in 10 February games.

Joshua Roy scored later in the period to make it 5-2 Laval.

The Marlies would make it close at the end. Former Rocket Joseph Blandisi made it 5-3 on a great individual effort with 1:27 remaining, and Abruzzese scored his second of the game to make it 5-4, but with only four seconds remaining.

Laval’s win moves them closer to first-place Rochester. They are three points behind with a game in hand. The win extends their lead over third-place Toronto to six points.

The Rocket now have two days off before hosting the Belleville Senators on Saturday night at Place Bell.

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