Laval Rocket: Abbotsford @ Laval Rocket: Saturday, January 4th, 7 PM.

[Don D]

They win in OT. Good for Primeau, 1st star tonight!. Laval has not been inspiring lately.

 

[Treb]

@Boss Man Hughes two favorite players win it in OT.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

@Boss Man Hughes two favorite players win it in OT.

True. Hardly worth winning the game.

 

[Whitesnake]

Really happy for Cayden.

 

[montreal]

Primeau Save 0:19
Another Save 0:48
Another Save 0:59
Mailloux Nice Defense/Primeau Save 1:15
Huge Save 1:57
Farrell Nice Assist 2:58
Another Huge Save 5:28
Beck Just Misses Goal 8:34

 

[Rapala]

Really happy for Cayden.

He realizes what he has to do passing through waivers will do that for you.

 

[Treb]

He realizes what he has to do passing through waivers will do that for you.

Primeau having hot games is not a new occurrence. What he needs his consistency (game to game and minutes to minutes).

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

I'm still looking for the conquering early season version of this team . Still, they keep getting points, that's the most important part. They have a lot of time left to get their groove back before the playoffs.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Primeau having hot games is not a new occurrence. What he needs his consistency (game to game and minutes to minutes).

This was a largely uninspiring performance by both teams. Both teams' power plays were ineffective, and for Laval, except for a few flashes, none of our prospects stood out. That being said, here are my observations of our prospects' performances.

While again displaying his explosive speed and superior hand skills, Beck did not have a productive offensive game. Beck had a few chances and set up a couple others, but he was nowhere as effective offensively as he should be considering the talent he possesses. Beck, however, has clearly established himself as the team's number one center and he played in all game situations, including some shifts killing penalties. His speed is noticeable as he is clearly a faster and a more dynamic skater than most of the other players he plays with and against. Beck also continues to show improvement in the faceoff circle and won several key face-offs during game. His stamina still remains a concern to this writer as he experiences a noticeable drop off in effectiveness as his shift continues. Nevertheless, this kid is still a blue chip prospect and should be able to make the Canadiens as a full time player next year. It may even happen later this season if the expected trades occur over the coming months

While, Roy had his usual flashes of brilliance (his elite offensive skills will allow him to do so at this level) he was also invisible for large stretches of the game. It remains questionable if Roy's undeniable offensive skills will ever allow him to overcome his lack of quickness and spotty compete level and be able to play effectively at the next level.

I thought Farrell had one of his best games of the season. He showed quickness and speed off the wing, forechecked effectively and made the play that resulted in Laval's first goal. I thought that at least during the first two periods of the game, Farrell was one of Laval's best players. The problem with Farrell is that he plays light and can be easily moved off the puck. But in open ice, and at least in this game, Farrell showed why he was such a prolific scorer in the NCAA. He was one of the few Laval players that had any snap/tempo to his game.

With the absence of Florian Xhekaj and Gignac from the line-up, Davidson was forced to play center. Davidson had an excellent game showing far more speed than I expected. He more than held his own in the game and was one of Laval's better forwards by transporting the puck with speed, driving to the net with purpose and being a constant physical presence. I think that this kid's performance opened some eyes in the Canadiens management team (or at least should have) and showed the versatility, intensity, leadership and overall skill level that he can bring to the team. This kid has NHL written all over him.

Mesar, like most of the Laval forwards, had a mixed game: showing moments/elements of quickness, offensive vision and playmaking ability followed up by poor decision making, hesitancy and, at times, being easily pushed off the puck. Mesar has talent and it will take some time, at least the rest of this season, to determine whether he has the ability / potential to take the next step.

Tuch, had a quiet game. I didn't see the high end skating that was so noticeable earlier in the season where he was explosive off the wing, having the ability to drive opposing defencemen back and often being the first player to loose pucks. He did however have his moments where he was strong on the boards, showed bursts of his excellent skating ability and had a few prime scoring chances. I still have no doubts that Tuch will play in the NHL, but I also believe that he is still hampered by the injury that caused him to miss games last month. He just lacks that fluidity and explosiveness that made him so effective earlier in the season.

Mailloux had one of his better games. He made no major gaffs defensively and even made one rush in the third period where he almost scored. He still showed a lack of dynamic skating that would allow him to consistently skate the puck out of harm's way. On the other hand, he made several first passes that very few players in the Canadiens' system could achieve. In that regard, this kid is unbelievable: 100 ft passes, that are hard and precise where a teammate doesn't even have break stride to receive same. Mailloux was put back on Laval's first power play unit. That unit's ineffectiveness was not solely as a result of any shortcomings of Mailloux. It was a total unit failure. Mailloux, despite his size, needs to get stronger on his skates as he often lost board battles, or was unable to control opposing forwards. But, overall, it was a good game for this enigmatic defender.

Engstrom, like many of our forward prospects, had a tepid game. He flashed his mobility and offensive playmaking but was sometimes underwhelming in his defensive zone coverage. Engstrom did made several excellent rushes, including one where he set up Farrell for one of Laval's better scoring chances and made a number of solid plays at the offensive blueline. Engstrom played in all game situations, including, in overtime, when he was on the ice when Laval scored the winning goal.

I though Trudeau was Laval's most noticeable and most effective defencemen. He played in all game situations, showing good mobility, offensive flair and hyper aggressiveness. Trudeau was pinching aggressively all game long and in all areas of the ice. He was a looming physical presence and constant menace to opposing players. Trudeau did take one undisciplined penalty, but has shown much more restraint in this regard than he did at the start of the season. They way the Laval coaching staff is playing and relying on him, I think Trudeau has passed both Mailloux and Engstrom on the team's depth chart. A long shot to make the NHL at the start of the season, I suspect that Trudeau's steady progression has materially altered that equation.

 

[montreal]

I guess I need to go back and re-watch this as I don't recall Engstrom looking bad last night, but Vincent is sitting him tonight saying he didn't play well.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

I guess I need to go back and re-watch this as I don't recall Engstrom looking bad last night, but Vincent is sitting him tonight saying he didn't play well.

He must have been watching something other than what I was watching. It was generally a weak performance by the entire team but I thought as a group the defense outplayed the forwards who only produced one goal in regulation time.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

They play again tonight.

 

[Rapala]

Apparently there will be three scouts at this one.
Speculation is they are looking at players on Abbotsford.
Raty and Lekkerimaki I would assume.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Apparently there will be three scouts at this one.
Speculation is they are looking at players on Abbotsford.
Raty and Lekkerimaki I would assume.

Interesting because of the speculation around Miller and EP.

If one is being traded, why is Van dealing a blue chip prospect instead of acquiring one? I understand both can happen, but it seems contradictory to rumours at a glance.

 

[schwang26]

I guess I need to go back and re-watch this as I don't recall Engstrom looking bad last night, but Vincent is sitting him tonight saying he didn't play well.

I thought they were saying he might have been hurt. He did come back in the 3rd but maybe it’s a minor injury

 

[montreal]

I thought they were saying he might have been hurt. He did come back in the 3rd but maybe it’s a minor injury

no, he's being benched and they said he was even benched a little in the 3rd.

 

[montreal]

 

[Tyson]

no, he's being benched and they said he was even benched a little in the 3rd.

That's a heck of a message but he did look bad last night

 

[Rapala]

Interesting because of the speculation around Miller and EP.

If one is being traded, why is Van dealing a blue chip prospect instead of acquiring one? I understand both can happen, but it seems contradictory to rumours at a glance.

The pundits think it could be a multi player transaction which would make some sense.
Vancouver would want a roster ready player or even two and maybe plus or or plus plus depending who is involved.
The rags are rumored to be talking multiple pieces with them.

 

[Treb]

Farrell from Mailloux and Mesar on the PP.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Did Blais have the old stick over the burner and then bend it under the door illegal stick?

 

[Tyson]

Mesar with 1G 1A
2-0

 

[Andrei79]

Apparently there will be three scouts at this one.
Speculation is they are looking at players on Abbotsford.
Raty and Lekkerimaki I would assume.

Might be who's slow, but scouts from which teams ?

 

[Rapala]

Might be who's slow, but scouts from which teams ?

I can't find the post anymore but strangely enough I do remember the Penguins were mentioned as one of them.

 

[Don D]

3-1 Laval! Dauphin with 3 assists so far.