Laval Rocket: Hartford Wolf Pack at Laval Rocket 3:00 pm - Watch on RDS

[montreal]

Farrell Goal 1:52
RHP Hits Crossbar 3:09
Davidson PS Goal 3:40
Farrell Goal 4:25
Farrell Assist 5:32
Farrell Forces Turnover Chance 6:48
Mesar Hits Crossbar 7:05
Tuch Goes Airborne Chance 8:23
Xhekaj OT Winner 9:07

 

[dinodebino]

They have guts and they have talent.

 

[montreal]

That was a hell of a come from behind win, they were flat out dominated in the 1st, just couldn't do much of anything. Primeau was hung out to dry so I don't fault him on the 1st 3 goals. But after RHP hit the crossbar and they Davidson that PS, Laval just turned it on and completely dominated them the rest of the way. It's rare to see a team look that bad and then look that great in the same game.

Farrell had his best game as he could easily of had 4 or 5 pts, Xhekaj has been making good progress despite the lack of TOI at times. Mesar really put something on the shot that he ripped off the crossbar.

I don't get the thinking on Kidney though, why did they let him sit for almost a month but now he's on the top line yet he looks like he needs to be in 3R. Why not flip him with Beaucage in December instead of having him play 1 game over a month. He'll need to put in a lot of work in the off-season to get stronger, quicker.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

That was a hell of a come from behind win, they were flat out dominated in the 1st, just couldn't do much of anything. Primeau was hung out to dry so I don't fault him on the 1st 3 goals. But after RHP hit the crossbar and they Davidson that PS, Laval just turned it on and completely dominated them the rest of the way. It's rare to see a team look that bad and then look that great in the same game.

Farrell had his best game as he could easily of had 4 or 5 pts, Xhekaj has been making good progress despite the lack of TOI at times. Mesar really put something on the shot that he ripped off the crossbar.

I don't get the thinking on Kidney though, why did they let him sit for almost a month but now he's on the top line yet he looks like he needs to be in 3R. Why not flip him with Beaucage in December instead of having him play 1 game over a month. He'll need to put in a lot of work in the off-season to get stronger, quicker.

It was a terrible first period by Laval as they were outplayed and outskated by Hartford. I think at one point the shots were 14 to 1 in Hartford's favour. But it was a great comeback by a depleted (call ups and injuries) Laval side. The turnaround came in the second period when the coaching staff unleashed both Trudeau and Engstrom who both started to carry the puck with great effectiveness. And, of course, the goal on a penalty shot by Davidson.

Here are my very quick assessments of our prospects.

I thought Trudeau, who was playing his first game back after a lengthy absence from an injury, played a strong game. His mobility was key factor in this comeback victory. Trudeau sees the ice well, has eliminated the unforced errors that marred his play earlier in the season and was noticeable almost every time he touched the puck. The excitement of Xhekaj's winning overttime goal would probably never have happened but for a diving sweep check that Trudeau made in the last 5 minutes that stopped a Hartford player from skating in alone on the Laval net. It is clear, at least to this writer, that Trudeau has all the talent, skill and compete level to play in the NHL. This kid is probably the most improved payer on the Rocket and one of Montreal's best overall prospects.

Engstrom also had a strong game and made multiple rushes with the puck that helped to completely turn the momentum of the game in Laval's favor. Engstrom made a number of excellent plays in the offensive zone and his mobility and puckhandling skills were clearly on display in the lengthy overtime period where Engstrom controlled the play for long stretches.

As some have noted, Farrell had an excellent game. Farrell was easily the post dangerous forward on the ice for both teams as he owned the high slot, scoring two goals and could have had 2 or 3 more. Farrell played with great confidence which went right to his legs as he transported the puck with speed and was first to loose pucks in all zones of the ice. Farrell's play this afternoon showed why he was such a prolific score in the NCAA.

Davidson had another strong game. He was smart with the puck, showed good speed, made some clever plays in the offensive zone, was physical and displayed his NHL level shot on a couple of occasions including scoring a beautiful goal on a penalty shot. Davidson is a certain future NHLer. His ultimate success at the next level will be determined if he can gain a bit more quickness. Right now, Davidson projects as a bottom six type player. But if he can get faster, this kid will be valuable 200 foot player (think Ryan O'Reilly) who can play in all game circumstances and who has the ability to score.

Mesar had a largely quiet game. But he showed the flashes of offensive brilliance that makes him an intriguing prospect. The play late in the third period where he rang a wrist shot off the cross bar provided a 'taste' of this kid's high potential.

I may be in the minority but I thought that Kidney played a strong game. Kidney is a much better skater than most think and he has above average hockey skills and vision. Kidney came close to scoring on a couple of occasions and made a number of smart plays in the offensive zone. If this kid gets stronger he may well surprise a lot of doubters and push for a spot in the NHL.

After a slow start ( I think he got injured in the first period) Tuch had a strong game in the last two periods. He started to skate better and was able to really pressure the Hartford defence which caused multiple turnovers. When Tuch starts to skate there is no player on the Rocket who can match his top speed. Tuch was a real physical force over the last two periods of the game and he was one of the players who helped turn the tide/flow/momentum of play.

Florian Xhekaj had another strong game where he showed his above average straightforward speed, good playmaking skills and physicality. He was presence around the Hartford net throughout the second and third periods and played in all game situations. Despite his continuing futility in the face-off circle, Xhekaj was noticeable most of the game for good reasons. His overttime goal was just the proverbial icing on the cake.