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Laval Rocket: Laval Rocket at Cleveland Monsters 7:00 pm

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Total brain fart with Laval in first minute of play. A too many men on the ice results in a Cleveland PP goal!
 
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Cleveland's Tarasov stingy tonight.
That Laval "brain fart" too many men penalty in the first minute holding up so far for the Monsters.
 
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Roy Chance/Goalie Slash Him 1:52
Trudeau Good Backcheck 3:42
Davidson Shot Hits Iron 4:08
Davidson Chance 4:20
Arseneau Big Hit Leads to Chaos 4:30
Beck Goal/Roy/Engstrom 5:31
Mailloux Chance 6:43
Xhekaj Almost Buries It More Chaos 7:35
Engstrom Close to OT Goal 9:09

that was a good game after the 1st things started heating up, both sides battled hard. Roy with one of his better games of the season, Mailloux, Beck, Engstrom all played well, Xhekaj's line creating chaos for sure wow. If Engstrom had of converted that Beck pass in OT...
 
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themilosh said:
Hows Mesar playing? I don't expect well but would love to be wrong.
Click to expand...

He was terrible when he returned from injury, he said as much in an interview before last weekends games but then went on to have his best games since returning. Last night I thought he was solid, in fact, his assist is plays I have been hoping to see more from, he engaged physically and then got the puck and set up the goal.

Tonight he was more or less invisible so consistency might be something he'll have to work on at this level. It's an issue with most young offensive minded prospects so we'll see how it goes.
 
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I wonder what the plans with Beck are this year. Seems he is leading this team into the playoffs as the "all situations" 1C.
 
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Goalfield13 said:
I wonder what the plans with Beck are this year. Seems he is leading this team into the playoffs as the "all situations" 1C.
Click to expand...
I watched the game and except for shorts spurts and in overtime where they dominated, Laval played a lackluster game. The only feed to the game was the Cleveland home feed, whose announcers were just awful, continually complaining about the officiating and giving new meaning to the term 'Homers.' These are my comments about our prospects, none of whom had dynamic games.

Beck had a good a good game. While his skating speed/acceleration is top notch which allowed Beck to be particularly effective in 4 on 4 play last night, I have recently noticed he is getting knocked down when trying to cut and avoid defenders. He was about 50% on faceoffs and is no where near as effective on face-offs in the AHL as he was in the OHL where he was certain money. I also remain concerned about his stamina level. While Beck didn't transport the puck as often or as successfully as he has in the past where he pressures and pushes opposing defencemen back, Beck showed good vision in the offensive zone making multiple good plays that led to scoring chances and was particularly dominant in overtime setting up teammates for scoring chances including Engstrom for what should have been the game winning goal. When they make the NHL, Beck and Demidov will make a wonderful second pairing in overtime (after Suzuki/Caufield). Along with his explosive skating, Beck's shooting ability is his best attribute. Last night, Beck could have had several goals and used his one-timer to score Laval's only goal. Beck got off a number of good shots while playing the bumper position on Laval's first power play unit and used his deceptive release on several rushes that forced the Cleveland goalie to make good saves while he was in full flight attacking the Cleveland net. I remain convinced that Beck has the tools and talent to be an impactful player in the NHL.

Roy is a strange player to get a read on. He has the unique talent of anticipating and reading the play and getting himself into a position to have a scoring chance. After being largely invisible for long stretches, Roy is suddenly having a gilt edged scoring chances. He's not quick, he's not physical, at times he looks disengaged, but he ends up having more scoring chances than any other Laval forward. Last night was no different. By my notes , Roy had 4 good scoring chances. In general, I didn't think Laval played that strong a game. Nevertheless, had Roy scored on one or two of his chances, Laval ends up winning this game going away.

With the return of Florian Xhekaj to the line up, Davidson was moved to left wing. While Davidson played his usual industrious game, he was not as noticeable as he has been recently. Davidson did what he has become known for, a non-stop motor, a strong forecheck and board presence, a shoot first mentality (he did ring one shot off the post that had completely overpowered the Cleveland goaltender) and displaying little fear/hesitancy of attacking the opposition's net. There was, however, not the same snap to his play or skating.

In his first game back from injury Xhekaj had a workman like game: he established a good net presence, was strong on the boards played physical and made several smart plays where, under pressure, he was able to find a teammate. He remains hopeless in the face-off circle. Xhekaj will not play in the NHL with any level of success unless he gets quicker and faster.

Mesar, like Xhekaj, has to get quicker, and, in Mesar's case, get stronger to make the next level. Mesar has talent: he sees the game well, and he anticipates the play, is a good play maker (particularly on the power play) but, as was seen on several occasions during last night's game, he lacks the speed and quickness to attack the net when opportunities present themselves.

I thought Tuch had a much improved game where he showed speed with the puck and on both the forecheck and backcheck. He was also very strong on the boards displaying strength, balance and aggressiveness winning most puck battles. I thought Tuch was the best skater on the ice and it appears that he has now made a full recovery from his injury.

For a supposed AHL all-star level defenceman, Mailloux had an uneven game: looking good on occasion and looking less than good on other occasions. Defensively, while he had a couple of turnovers that led to scoring chances against and was beaten wide once playing 4 on 4, Mailloux was generally adequate in the defensive zone, using his reach and improved positioning to break up offensive plays. Offensively, Mailloux was more engaged in the offensive zones making several rushes where he circled the net using his reach and body position to ward of checkers and making those intuitive passes to open teammates that is his hallmark. The greatest problem that I have with Mailloux's game last night was when the team was struggling to create scoring chances and they needed one player to take the puck and change the momentum of the game, Mailloux couldn't do it. He just doesn't have the explosive skating ability to do it. I suspect he never will.

After a quiet start, Engstrom's became Laval's most effective defenceman in last night's game. For the first time in several games, Engstrom, starting in the third period, began to transport the puck effectively displaying his mobility and puck handling skills. Engstrom used his skating ability to evade Cleveland's strong forecheck pressure and was very effective on the power play having replaced both Mailloux and Trudeau on the first power play unit as the game progressed. Engstrom, along with Beck, was dominant in the overtime period and should have scored the winning goal on a great pass from Beck.

After a string of games where he was Laval's most dominant defenceman, Trudeau had a less determinative role in last night's game. While he continued to display his good mobility and physicality, Trudeau was not as tidy in the defensive zone and was beaten wide leading to a good scoring chance against. He wasn't as good at evading Cleveland's strong forecheck which resulted in Laval being pinned in the offensive zone for extended periods. Trudeau was much better offensively, making a number of strong rushes and several good plays supporting the offence and keeping the puck in the offensive zone. Trudeau also played in all game situations (power play, penalty killing and 4 on 4).
 
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ChesterNimitz said:
I watched the game and except for shorts spurts and in overtime where they dominated, Laval played a lackluster game. The only feed to the game was the Cleveland home feed, whose announcers were just awful, continually complaining about officiating and the giving new meaning to the term 'Homers.' These are my comments about our prospects, none of whom had dynamic games.

Beck had a good a good game. While his skating speed/acceleration is top notch which allowed Beck to be particularly effective in 4 on 4 play last night, I have recently noticed he is getting knocked down when trying to cut and avoid defenders. He was about 50% on faceoffs and is no where near as effective on face-offs in the AHL as he was in the OHL where he was certain money. I also remain concerned about his stamina level. While Beck didn't transport the puck as often or as successfully as he has in the past where he pressures and pushes opposing defencemen back, Beck showed good vision in the offensive zone making multiple good plays that led to scoring chances and was particularly dominant in overtime setting up teammates for scoring chances including Engstrom for what should have been the game winning goal. When they make the NHL, Beck and Demidov will make a wonderful second pairing in overtime (after Suzuki/Caufield). Along with his explosive skating, Beck's shooting ability is his best attribute. Last night, Beck could have had several goals and used his one-timer to score Laval's only goal. Beck got off a number of good shots while playing the bumper position on Laval's first power play unit and used his deceptive release on several rushes that forced the Cleveland goalie to make good saves while he was in full flight attacking the Cleveland net. I remain convinced that Beck has the tools and talent to be an impactful player in the NHL.

Roy is a strange player to get a read on. He has the unique talent of anticipating and reading the play and getting himself into a position to have a scoring chance. After being largely invisible for long stretches, Roy is suddenly having a gilt edged scoring chances. He's not quick, he's not physical, at times he looks disengaged, but he has more scoring chances than any other Laval forward . Last night was no different. By my notes , Roy had 4 good scoring chances. In general, I didn't think Laval played that strong a game. Had Roy scored on one or two of his chances, Laval ends up winning this game going away.

With the return of Florian Xhekaj to the line up, Davidson was moved to left wing. While Davidson played his usual industrious game, he was not as noticeable as he has been recently. Davidson did what he has become known for, a non-stop motor, a strong forecheck and board presence, a shoot first mentality (he did ring one shot off the post that had completely overpowered the Cleveland goaltender) and displaying little fear/hesitancy of attacking the opposition's net. There was, however, not the same snap to his play or skating.

In his first game back from injury Xhekaj had a workman like game: he established a good net presence, was strong on the boards played physical and made several smart plays where, under pressure, he was able to find a teammate. He remains hopeless in the face-off circle. Xhekaj will not play in the NHL with any level of success unless he gets quicker and faster.

Mesar, like Xhekaj, has to get quicker, and, in Mesar's case, get stronger to make the next level. Mesar has talent: he sees the game well, and he anticipates the play, is a good play maker (particularly on the power play) but, as was seen on several occasions during last night's game, he lacks the speed and quickness to attack the net when opportunities present themselves.

I thought Tuch had a much improved game where he showed speed with the puck and on both the forecheck and backcheck. He was also very strong on the boards displaying strength, balance and aggressiveness winning most puck battles. I thought Tuch was the best skater on the ice and it appears that he has now made a full recovery from his injury.

For a supposed AHL all-star level defenceman, Mailloux had an uneven game: looking good on occasion and looking less than good on other occasions. Defensively, while he had a couple of turnovers that led to scoring chances against and was beaten wide once playing 4 on 4, Mailloux was generally adequate in the defensive zone, using his reach and improved positioning to break up offensive plays. Offensively, Mailloux was more engaged in the offensive zones making several rushes where he circled the net using his reach and body position to ward of checkers and making those intuitive passes to open teammates that is his hallmark. The greatest problem that I have with Mailloux's game last night was when the team was struggling to create scoring chances and they needed one player to take the puck and change the momentum of the game, Mailloux couldn't do it. He just doesn't have the explosive skating ability to do it. I suspect he never will.

After a quiet start, Engstrom's became Laval's most effective defenceman in last night's game. For the first time in several games, Engstrom, starting in the third period, began to transport the puck effectively displaying his mobility and puck handling skills. Engstrom used his skating ability to evade Cleveland's strong forecheck pressure and was very effective on the power play having replaced both Mailloux and Trudeau on the first power play unit as the game progressed. Engstrom, along with Beck, was dominant in the overtime period and should have scored the winning goal on a great pass from Beck.

After a string of games where he was Laval's most dominant defenceman, Trudeau had a less determinative role in last night's game. While he continued to display his good mobility and physicality, Trudeau was not as tidy in the defensive zone and was beaten wide leading to a good scoring chance against. He wasn't as good at evading Cleveland's strong forecheck which resulted in Laval being pinned in the offensive zone for extended periods. Trudeau was much better offensively, making a number of strong rushes and several good plays supporting the offence and keeping the puck in the offensive zone. Trudeau also played in all game situations (power play, penalty killing and 4 on 4).
Click to expand...
Thanks for the great assessment!
 
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ChesterNimitz said:
I watched the game and except for shorts spurts and in overtime where they dominated, Laval played a lackluster game. The only feed to the game was the Cleveland home feed, whose announcers were just awful, continually complaining about the officiating and giving new meaning to the term 'Homers.' These are my comments about our prospects, none of whom had dynamic games.

Beck had a good a good game. While his skating speed/acceleration is top notch which allowed Beck to be particularly effective in 4 on 4 play last night, I have recently noticed he is getting knocked down when trying to cut and avoid defenders. He was about 50% on faceoffs and is no where near as effective on face-offs in the AHL as he was in the OHL where he was certain money. I also remain concerned about his stamina level. While Beck didn't transport the puck as often or as successfully as he has in the past where he pressures and pushes opposing defencemen back, Beck showed good vision in the offensive zone making multiple good plays that led to scoring chances and was particularly dominant in overtime setting up teammates for scoring chances including Engstrom for what should have been the game winning goal. When they make the NHL, Beck and Demidov will make a wonderful second pairing in overtime (after Suzuki/Caufield). Along with his explosive skating, Beck's shooting ability is his best attribute. Last night, Beck could have had several goals and used his one-timer to score Laval's only goal. Beck got off a number of good shots while playing the bumper position on Laval's first power play unit and used his deceptive release on several rushes that forced the Cleveland goalie to make good saves while he was in full flight attacking the Cleveland net. I remain convinced that Beck has the tools and talent to be an impactful player in the NHL.

Roy is a strange player to get a read on. He has the unique talent of anticipating and reading the play and getting himself into a position to have a scoring chance. After being largely invisible for long stretches, Roy is suddenly having a gilt edged scoring chances. He's not quick, he's not physical, at times he looks disengaged, but he ends up having more scoring chances than any other Laval forward. Last night was no different. By my notes , Roy had 4 good scoring chances. In general, I didn't think Laval played that strong a game. Nevertheless, had Roy scored on one or two of his chances, Laval ends up winning this game going away.

With the return of Florian Xhekaj to the line up, Davidson was moved to left wing. While Davidson played his usual industrious game, he was not as noticeable as he has been recently. Davidson did what he has become known for, a non-stop motor, a strong forecheck and board presence, a shoot first mentality (he did ring one shot off the post that had completely overpowered the Cleveland goaltender) and displaying little fear/hesitancy of attacking the opposition's net. There was, however, not the same snap to his play or skating.

In his first game back from injury Xhekaj had a workman like game: he established a good net presence, was strong on the boards played physical and made several smart plays where, under pressure, he was able to find a teammate. He remains hopeless in the face-off circle. Xhekaj will not play in the NHL with any level of success unless he gets quicker and faster.

Mesar, like Xhekaj, has to get quicker, and, in Mesar's case, get stronger to make the next level. Mesar has talent: he sees the game well, and he anticipates the play, is a good play maker (particularly on the power play) but, as was seen on several occasions during last night's game, he lacks the speed and quickness to attack the net when opportunities present themselves.

I thought Tuch had a much improved game where he showed speed with the puck and on both the forecheck and backcheck. He was also very strong on the boards displaying strength, balance and aggressiveness winning most puck battles. I thought Tuch was the best skater on the ice and it appears that he has now made a full recovery from his injury.

For a supposed AHL all-star level defenceman, Mailloux had an uneven game: looking good on occasion and looking less than good on other occasions. Defensively, while he had a couple of turnovers that led to scoring chances against and was beaten wide once playing 4 on 4, Mailloux was generally adequate in the defensive zone, using his reach and improved positioning to break up offensive plays. Offensively, Mailloux was more engaged in the offensive zones making several rushes where he circled the net using his reach and body position to ward of checkers and making those intuitive passes to open teammates that is his hallmark. The greatest problem that I have with Mailloux's game last night was when the team was struggling to create scoring chances and they needed one player to take the puck and change the momentum of the game, Mailloux couldn't do it. He just doesn't have the explosive skating ability to do it. I suspect he never will.

After a quiet start, Engstrom's became Laval's most effective defenceman in last night's game. For the first time in several games, Engstrom, starting in the third period, began to transport the puck effectively displaying his mobility and puck handling skills. Engstrom used his skating ability to evade Cleveland's strong forecheck pressure and was very effective on the power play having replaced both Mailloux and Trudeau on the first power play unit as the game progressed. Engstrom, along with Beck, was dominant in the overtime period and should have scored the winning goal on a great pass from Beck.

After a string of games where he was Laval's most dominant defenceman, Trudeau had a less determinative role in last night's game. While he continued to display his good mobility and physicality, Trudeau was not as tidy in the defensive zone and was beaten wide leading to a good scoring chance against. He wasn't as good at evading Cleveland's strong forecheck which resulted in Laval being pinned in the offensive zone for extended periods. Trudeau was much better offensively, making a number of strong rushes and several good plays supporting the offence and keeping the puck in the offensive zone. Trudeau also played in all game situations (power play, penalty killing and 4 on 4).
Click to expand...

Mesar is very quick and very fast, he's overthinking the game.

He's best suited for first line duties and 1st PP wave. I think i saw signs of frustration last game.

I wont be surprised if he gets traded before the trade deadline. It would best for him anyway, they don't look to be worrying too much about his development. Maybe he has burned some bridges with them.
 
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Bombshell11 said:
Mesar is very quick and very fast, he's overthinking the game.

He's best suited for first line duties and 1st PP wave. I think i saw signs of frustration last game.

I wont be surprised if he gets traded before the trade deadline. It would best for him anyway, they don't look to be worrying too much about his development. Maybe he has burned some bridges with them.
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You have a higher assessment/opinion of Mesar’s current state of development than I do. I’m hoping he develops into a second line forward. First liner? That’s a whole long bridge too far.
 
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ChesterNimitz said:
You have a higher assessment/opinion of Mesar’s current state of development than I do. I’m hoping he develops into a second line forward. First liner? That’s a whole long bridge too far.
Click to expand...

He has never been given the opportunity to show his full potential which is to drive the offense and control the pace of the game on the PP.

There's one thing Mesar is elite at and its with the puck. They've asked him to be more physical and do the "right things" but thats not his game. His game is with the puck and to drive the play, be creative and have his teammates adapt to him and get into position to fire one into the net because he'll create the space for them and find them.

I have been following Mesar very closely and last game is the first time i seen him take a lazy penalty out of frustration.
 
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Bombshell11 said:
He has never been given the opportunity to show his full potential which is to drive the offense and control the pace of the game on the PP.

There's one thing Mesar is elite at and its with the puck. They've asked him to be more physical and do the "right things" but thats not his game. His game is with the puck and to drive the play, be creative and have his teammates adapt to him and get into position to fire one into the net because he'll create the space for them and find them.

I have been following Mesar very closely and last game is the first time i seen him take a lazy penalty out of frustration.
Click to expand...
I don't understand the logic saying that not placing Mesar on the first line is somehow depriving him of an opportunity to 'drive the offence' or 'control the pace of the game,' What's preventing him from showing his offensive dynamism on the line(s) that he in fact is playing on? In actuality, he has played with Beck before his injury and has been on the second power play unit since his return from injury.

While Mesar has shown flashes of potential, unless he gets stronger and faster, Montreal will have a lot better options at winger going forward.
 
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