Laval Rocket: Laval Rocket at Toronto Marlies 2:00 pm

[schwang26]

Well. It was close for a while until they did what they usually do. Take stupid penalties

 

[Gillings]

How did Kidney get all those points in the Q? Wow.

Im not worried, We are being patient with our picks and actually developing them correctly.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Who the heck is Nijhoff?

Played a hell of a physical game against Rochester.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Well. It was close for a while until they did what they usually do. Take stupid penalties

Until the refs screwed them . The last 5 on 3 started with a bullshat penalty call and the 2nd penalty likely doesn't happen if the 1st one wasn't called. Several stupid penalty calls including at least one against Toronto,

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

Did Beck get pumped?

 

[Treb]

How did Kidney get all those points in the Q? Wow.

His lack of strength was less evident and he had more space to use his vision.

If he can get stronger and make plays quicker it will help a lot.

 

[Rapala]

Did Beck get pumped?

Not from what I saw he ducked everything thrown at him. You could tell it wasn't his first rodeo.
Good on him for backing up RHP as that line seems to be starting to gel.

 

[Rapala]

Played a hell of a physical game against Rochester.

It's not surprising to me Nijhoff Jandric and Beaucage were the call ups.
They were also the players I had no traction on who stuck out at camp.

 

[schwang26]

It’s evident that they got extremely lucky against Rochester. If they don’t get help soon, they’re in for a losing streak.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

What the f*** happened ?

I got in from clearing snow, saw it was 3-2 Toronto, did some other house work, lost track of time checked the score and 7-2.

What in the f***.

 

[WeThreeKings]

What the f*** happened ?

I got in from clearing snow, saw it was 3-2 Toronto, did some other house work, lost track of time checked the score and 7-2.

What in the f***.

Marlies had two 5 on 3s, and I think scored in an empty net then grabbed a late garbage goal.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Marlies had two 5 on 3s, and I think scored in an empty net then grabbed a late garbage goal.

The score was not reflective of the play. Laval took a number of marginal penalties early, including, the first of two 5 on 3 against situations, which allowed the Marlies to build up a quick 3-0 lead. For the next 40 minutes of the game, Laval outshot and, I think, largely outplayed the Toronto farm team. The last 10 minutes included another 5 on 3 goal against and two empty netters. But it was an overall gutsy performance by a very undermanned Laval team. As I have often written, the score of the game is irrelevant to this writer as I am primarily focused on our prospects as most of the AHL/ECHL veterans on the roster will most probably be gone from the organization in two years or less.

Here are my observations with respect to the performance of our prospects.

Beck was simply the best player on the ice for both teams. He made numerous end to end rushes, had multiple scoring chances, displayed great vision and, his very underrated shooting ability off the rush. The goal that he set up Roy for says all you need to know about Beck's game: great speed up the middle of the ice that drove defenders off the blue line and then making a beautiful pass to an open Roy on the left wing. Beck also showed that his great speed allows him to be an effective puck thief as on one occasion, when, after trying to do too much at the offensive blueline and losing the puck, he was easily able to catch the opposing player from behind and himself strip the opposing player of the puck. Beck also played a physical game and stood up for a teammate late in the game and actually got into a fight. This kid is simply too good for the AHL.

Roy had a middling game. As is his M.O., Roy was invisible for long stretches and then in a flash, he shows his elite shooting ability. Think of Roy as a smaller Canadian version of Laine. He did however have one shift where he was strong on the backcheck showing that when he wants to, Roy can generate some speed.

Farrell continued his strong play as he skated hard every shift. Farrell was quick on the puck, made several nice passes, went into the high danger areas, forechecked with purpose, showed increasing strength on the boards and was around the puck a lot. Most importantly, Farrell, though not scoring, was again noticeable. Something he was not, during the first third of the season.

Davidson, who played on a line with Florian Xhekaj, had a strong game. Davidson, after a bit of a lull in recent weeks, returned to his driving, heavy pro-style game. Davidson forechecked hard and showed better quickness. Most importantly, he showed his NHL level shot when scoring from the point on a Laval power play. Xhekaj, on the other hand, had a quiet game. He skated and went to the hard, but really didn't generate much offensive push. His greatest contribution was his play on the penalty kill where his surprising speed and reach foiled a number of opposing plays in the defensive zone.

Kidney, while playing few minutes, continued to show improved acceleration, strength on the boards and a high compete level. This kid sees the ice well and made a number of smart plays with the puck. Kidney definitely has a nose for the net and had several good scoring chances including one where he showed good outside speed. If Kidney can gain some strength and a half step of top end speed, he's going to play in the NHL.

This was one of Mailloux's better games. He showed greater mobility and actually made a couple of rushes with the puck. Mailloux's offensive vision is as good as any player on Laval and he showed it on multiple times making passes in the offensive zone that led to scoring chances and Davidson's goal. While he made several nice /timely offensive pinches, Mailloux was also caught out of position in the defensive zone on a number of occasions. Also, he failed to display the acceleration necessary to transport the puck with consistency in the defensive zone. This is a very talented offensive player and has all the skills to be an effective forward in the NHL. If Hughes and Co. can't see Mailloux's potential in this regard, they are, frankly, blind.

Engstrom had an ok game. But with the Rocket so depleted, they needed more from Engstrom. He made a couple of nice rushes and plays in the offensive zone. But Engstrom's game seems to have plateaued (perhaps fatigue) so his ascendency to the NHL is far from certain.

Trudeau had a poor game as he reverted to his earlier tendency to take undisciplined penalties. Similar to Engstrom, Trudeau didn't display the offensive push the team needed. Trudeau has tp go back to what will get him to the NHL: mobility with the puck.