Laval Rocket: Abbotsford @ Laval Rocket: Saturday, January 4th, 7 PM.
- Thread starter MarkovsKnee
- Start date
3-1 after 2
Dauphin 3 assists
Dauphin 3 assists
They showed Mesar with an assist on the first goal when I checked after the first I guess they switched it to Dauphin.
Don D
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- Oct 15, 2017
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Farrell now with 6 points in last 7 games!! Nice to see after 2 in first 17 games.
Gaylord Q Tinkledink
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Don D
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MarkovsKnee
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Pompeius Magnus
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Everybody is fighting except Arseneau, who's specifically there to do that 
ChesterNimitz
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The team started sluggishly but slowly took over against one of the least dynamic teams that I have seen so far in the AHL this year. Here are my observations of our prospects' play in Laval v. Abbotsford .02.
Similar to the previous game against Abbotsford, Beck flashed all the attributes that make him a high-end prospect: speed, play making and strength on his skates, but was again unproductive offensively as he seemed to be fighting the puck all game: mishandling the puck and whiffing on a number of one-timers that should be his bread and butter. But his elite skating put him in a position to have scoring chances, drawing a penalty and being very effective on the forecheck. Beck has regressed a little in his effectiveness in the face-off circle as he won very few important faces (i.e. deep in either of the offensive or defensive zones).
Roy, as is his M.O., was largely absent for large portions of the game and then poof, he has a scoring opportunity and then he scores. Roy is a very offensively intuitive player. He finds open spaces on the ice. He anticipates the play. He has offensive vision. These are all undeniable skills and, more importantly, skills that can't be taught or coached up. While Roy can be a passenger at times and still succeed at the AHL level, those open ice spaces that he needs to thrive in, will be come less available at the next level, where the players he faces have equal skills but possess superior mobility and strength. It will be interesting to see if, and when, he is again called up, whether Roy can be successful against a faster pace of play. He failed miserably in his first trial period earlier this year.
Farrell had another strong performance and was one of Laval's more dynamic players for the first half of the game. His play and effectiveness dropped off noticeably in the third period. When effective, Farrell showed good speed on the rush and when forechecking and displayed an NHL level shot on his goal. There is no question that for Farrell to succeed at the next level he has to get stronger. But there is also no question that at least at the AHL level, he has the skating and skills to be an effective and productive forward.
Davidson's game was the exact opposite of Farrell's: invisible in the first half of the game and very effective in the second half. Once again, playing center, Davidson showed good acceleration, anticipation, a strong forecheck and a high level of physicality. Davidson's positioning and anticipation allowed him to break up a potential breakout by Abbotsford that lead to a takeaway and, ultimately, Laval's 4th goal. As the game proceeded, Davidson's growing presence in all three zones of the ice became more and more noticeable as he showed: snap in his skating, a constant drive to the net; an overall heavy game and leadership including getting into a fight. The more I see this kid, the more I am convinced that he will play in the NHL and play well.
Mesar had a much better game as he showed better quickness, more confidence with the puck and the hand skills and offensive vision/anticipation (which allowed him to score the second Laval goal) that made him a NHL first round draft choice. Mesar has to get stronger and faster to have a chance of making the NHL. But he did show considerable toughness taking a heavy check last night and getting right back up. I think that this kid might well surprise many who have written him off.
Tuch started slowly but by the third period was starting to show the speed and physicality that had so impressed me earlier in the season (before his injury). Tuch displayed straight forward speed that made him both effective on the forecheck and have the ability to be the first on loose pucks on multiple occasions. If this game was indication, Tuch is back on the road that will hopefully end up with him being on the Canadiens next year.
Mailloux had one of his better games. While his skating limitations remain obvious (at least to this writer) Mailloux played a controlled game where he: avoided any major defensive errors (there were a couple of improvident plays that led to confusion in the defensive zone); maintained good body position on opposing forwards and effectively used his long reach; played well with Trudeau killing off a 5-3 man advantage; made intelligent/timely pinches in all areas of the ice; made multiple good passes in the offensive zone (his vision in the offensive zone is excellent) and completed a number of long stretch passes that few, if any, of Montreal's current defencemen could make. Bottom line, Mailloux is learning how to maximize what talents he does have.
Trudeau had another impressive game and was a rock in helping kill off a lengthy 5-3 man advantage against which successful penalty kill really set the tone for the rest of the game. Trudeau was physical and flashed his mobility by supporting offensive rushes and cutting off the ice to opposing forwards. With Engstrom not in the line-up, Trudeau was easily Laval's most dynamic defenceman whose aggressiveness allowed him to keep the puck in at the offensive blueline on a number of occasions, pinch and close the gap effectively all game and to make multiple plays in the offensive zone including one that resulted in a goal. This kid, whose dependability is growing by leaps and bounds, is on the path to the NHL.
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montreal
Go Habs Go
I would say that Friday's game was Mesar's best since returning and last nights game was one of his best of the season as he looked to have good jump to his game, where the games he played since returning, he really seemed to lack energy and effort. So good to see him bounce back.
Farrell was on track last year to have a very good rookie year in terms of production and this year he had a terrible start where he just did not look to be creating much out there despite the improved speed/skating that he's shown imo. But now he's been one of our best players for the past few weeks.
Roy has been extremely frustrating yet he leads the team in goals and points, him and ABB just look invisible and lazy but then boom the puck is in the back of the net.
The Engstrom benching is still a head scratcher to me when Mailloux has done way more stupid shit (and Trudeau)
Farrell was on track last year to have a very good rookie year in terms of production and this year he had a terrible start where he just did not look to be creating much out there despite the improved speed/skating that he's shown imo. But now he's been one of our best players for the past few weeks.
Roy has been extremely frustrating yet he leads the team in goals and points, him and ABB just look invisible and lazy but then boom the puck is in the back of the net.
The Engstrom benching is still a head scratcher to me when Mailloux has done way more stupid shit (and Trudeau)
Jacob’s looks like he could be out a while if that was his knee. I hope not. He’s been a solid presence back there.
Pompeius Magnus
Registered User
Roy has had a weird season, for sure. It feels like he doing himself no favors as far as getting a call up goes, yet he's still been a big part of that offense production wise. It's hard to get a read on his true potential at this point.
