Laval Rocket: Laval at Rochester

[BozoTheClown]

So this team has talent, even with all the injuries? Messi, I mean Mesar is well surrounded.

Haven’t heard his name much.

 

[dinodebino]

Haven’t heard his name much.

You don’t have. Messi was the same. One chance, all he needs is one chance.

 

[DAChampion]

I admire you guys for paying. I feel like FloHockey is overpriced.

 

[overlords]

I admire you guys for paying. I feel like FloHockey is overpriced.

 

[HuGo Sham]

Really? No one cares? I know they’re probably going to get their asses kicked because of the depleted lineup, but still… we got a game!

you were wrong, you were soooo wrong

 

[schwang26]

With how bad they looked against Belleville, I thought for sure they’d get killed tonight. No idea how they won this, but glad I was wrong! Go Rocket!!!!

Love the excuses by the announcers. Saying Laval played their best game and Rochester is tired. No mention that Laval is missing like 5 regulars.

 

[BozoTheClown]

Laval back to the #1 spot in the overall standings.

You don’t have. Messi was the same. One chance, all he needs is one chance.

At least Messi had the reputation. What does Mesar have?

 

[Rapala]

Beck's two goals traveled about 12 inches total.
He needs more like that.

looks like RHP just caught a mean knee and trudeau fights kozak to avenge him. Trudeau gets the worst of it.

How the hell was that one not called.

 

[DAChampion]

I can't find the port anymore.

 

[Rapala]

Starting with a win is good.

 

[Treb]

Very encouraging!! Was he written off too early?

Most people, including Vincent, knew he was better than his first half showed.

The clock is still ticking though as he turned 23 in November. Not a lot of space in Montreal for a small winger.

 

[Don D]

Quick notes:
-Laval outshot 36-23.
-Good to see rarely used Hughes get the win.
-3 stars: Beck, ABB, Farrell.

 

[themilosh]

beck is looking tired

Is he? I wouldn't know.. butvif he wants to be a C for tge CH hes got produce refardless of how he feels.

 

[montreal]

Farrell Assist 0:03
Xhekaj Goal 0:24
Beck Goal/Roy Assist 3:33
Beck Goal/Roy Assist 5:50
Beck Misses Open Net 6:32
Trudeau Fight 7:16
Farrell Goal 8:42

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

At the end with a 5-2 lead and like 2 minutes left guys were still working hard to get in front of a shot to block it and get the puck out..

Was good to see.

Helped Rochest was playing their 3rd in 3 nights today.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Very encouraging!! Was he written off too early?

Though Laval won, it wasn't a particularly strong game for them, but they were opportunistic and did just enough to beat a tired Rochester team.

Here is my assessment of the play of our prospects.

Though he scored two goals, Beck had a mediocre game. After a quiet first period where he seemed disinterested, Beck was able to take advantage of Levi's poor goaltending and quickly scored two goals, both from about two feet out from the net. Beck showed a few great bursts of speed and made a number of excellent passes that created scoring chances. But he also made a number of turnovers, including one at the opposing blueline that turned into a break-a-way against Laval. He was also horrible on face-offs. This kid has NHL talent, but for the second game in a row he looked flat and didn't drive the play anywhere near as often as he should have playing against AHL level opposition.

Roy, who played on a line with Beck, had an uneven game. He was invisible in the first half of the game but came on in the second and third periods as he generated scoring chances, made clever plays and played hard on the puck. Roy has an elite level release and is stronger on the boards than most expect. While he showed some flashes of greater mobility tonight, unless Roy gets quicker, his chances of being an impactful player at the next level are, at best, remote.

I thought Farrell was one of the best players on the ice tonight. He was fast, quick on the puck and made a number of excellent plays. Farrell showed his NHL level shot/release on the great goal that he scored. He's gained a step in his quickness and his top end speed is impressive and he showed it on occasion tonight including one play where he was able to successfully transport the puck end to end.. Farrell has now rightfully cemented a place on Laval's top power play unit. If this kid's progression continues he may well push for a spot on the Canadiens next fall.

It was also an impressive show by Florian Xhekaj who displayed excellent end to end speed, including when he scored a beautiful shorthanded goal. Xhekaj, played physical, made a number of smart plays in the offensive zone, was an intimidating force on the forecheck and was very effective on the penalty kill where he used his reach to disrupt passing lanes and fearlessly blocked shots. With a little bit of luck, Xhekaj could have had a couple more goals. What I find surprising is Xhekaj's hand skills and vision as he is able to make smart plays in close quarters. His face-off skills are still abysmal, as he lost a number face-offs including one in the defensive zone that directly resulted in a Rochester goal.

Mesar had an uneven game. He showed spurts of high mobility and made a great play setting up Xhekaj on a 2 on 1. But he was very weak defensively where on a number of occasions Rochester players were able to blow past him on the boards. If he was able to drive the play on a consistent basis, one could live with Mesar's defensive weaknesses. But that offensive outburst has yet to happen.

Kidney played sparingly and wasn't much of a factor. Kidney did show a few bursts of speed and drove to the net with vigor on a couple of occasions, including one play where he deflected a puck off the post. Davidson started off slowly but as the game progressed he became more of a factor, particularly on the forecheck where he was able to cause multiple turnovers.

Mailloux had a fair game. Surprisingly, Laval used him on the penalty kill but not on the power play. Mailloux showed greater mobility tonight, particularly without the puck and made a couple of nice pinches that kept the puck alive at the opposing blueline. He did, however, let Rochester forwards get behind him a couple of times which omissions directly led to scoring chances. With Reinbacher set to return, I think the Canadiens would be foolish to not let Mailloux play as a forward. He really looked good tonight supporting the offence when skating without the puck. Relieve him of his defensive duties and we may have something in this kid.

Both Engstrom and Trudeau had middling games. Both showed mobility on occasion and vision in the offensive zone. There just wasn't enough of the mobility or offensive push to have made either one truly noticeable tonight.