I watched the game and would say that it was a good road game for Laval and except for a few stretches (particularly the first six minutes of the third period where they failed to get a shot on goal) Laval was the better team. Utica was largely only able to create sustained offensive pressure on the power play. Laval again gave up an early goal (on the a Utica power play) and had to play from behind which to the Rocket's credit doesn't seem to phase them. This is a team that is slowly crafting a winning attitude. Some of Laval's cohesion was adversely affected when Roy was lost to injury. Notwithstanding this disruption to their lines, Laval soldiered onwards, competed and won the game on a dramatic late goal by Beck.
Here is my assessment of the play of our prospects.
Despite his late game heroics, I thought Beck had a less than impactful game. All the elements that make him a prime prospect were there, but only sporadically. He showed spurts of explosive skating, his high end playmaking and his NHL level shot. Some of his uneven play may well have been as a result of the injury to Roy, who continued to play left wing on Beck's line. The lines after Roy's injury became scrambled and this forced change caused a lack of cohesion and effectiveness as Laval had to juggle its forward lines. Beck's winning goal displayed one of his less often discussed strengths: the ability to shoot effectively off the rush. Beck was a menace in the OHL shooting and beating goalies off the rush and I am confident that as he gets stronger he will have similar success at the NHL level. Beck was a bit more effective in the face-off circle, played on the power play and pursued the puck with vigor on the forecheck. Though usually very dependable in protecting the puck, Beck was guilty of turning the puck over on several occasions last night. I am still concerned by Beck's lack of stamina as he is one of those players whose performance declines noticeably as his shift proceeds.
As noted, Roy was injured (and couldn't continue) after awkwardly falling into the boards on a rush towards the Utica net on what was his best scoring opportunity in the game. Before his injury, Roy, other than a few shifts where he showed some interest in forechecking, was largely unnoticeable. Hopefully, Roy's injury is not a long term matter. But I suspect it may be as Roy, very uncharacteristically for him, remained on the ice for a while.
Florian Xhekaj had a stronger game as he displayed increased confidence with the puck and better overall mobility. Xhekaj centered a line with Tuch and Davidson which was easily Laval's most effective line in the game. Xhekaj played physically, made smart plays in all zones of the ice, showed off his greatly underappreciated playmaking skills, was strong on the forecheck, went hard to the net and was rewarded with a goal that tied the game. If this kid can continue to get stronger and quicker, he might have a chance to be an effective player at the next level.
Tuch had a good game, displaying his NHL level speed and strength. His skating looked more fluid, powerful and effortless last night and I think his recovery from his lingering and limiting injury is complete. I would not be surprised if he is called up to replace Heineman. He couldn't do worse than the indefatigable but very limited Pezzetta.
Davidson played another workmanlike game. This is a player that never takes a shift off. That approach, coupled with his leadership qualities and NHL level shot should allow him to successfully make the transition to the NHL. I think he could play right now in the NHL and not embarrass himself.
Mesar had a quiet game and only showed flashes of his quickness and playmaking abilities. Like many young, smaller players, Mesar needs to get stronger and faster to be able have success at the next level. But anyone watching can see he has talent. The question is: can he take the next step?
Farrell had a good game. He played hard. He skated hard. He battled hard. He was noticeable. No one could complain about his effort. It remains questionable whether that effort is good enough for him to be able to take the next step and play effectively and consistently in the NHL. But one has to acknowledge and admire Farrell's continuous efforts on the ice. It's a pity that some of our other prospects can't emulate that high level of effort.
After criticizing his play for some time, I'm pleased to report that Mailloux had a strong game. Last night, Mailloux looked like an All-Star. Mailloux was rock solid in the defensive zone using good positioning, anticipation and an active stick to blunt most Utica offensive rushes he faced. He made a half dozen long, precise stretch passes that showed off a skill that few defencemen in the Montreal system could achieve. He showed good confidence with the puck and a mobility that he rarely displays. That mobility allowed him to make a number of rushes with the puck and be aggressive on the pinch to keep the puck in the offensive zone. He made a number of good plays in the offensive zone and was able to position himself that allowed him to get his shot away. His up tempo game and increased level of confidence was rewarded by the coaching staff who played Mailloux on the power play and allow Mailloux to be in a position to score Laval's first goal. While one could quibble with some elements of his game (he has to be quicker in getting his shot off, his positioning in defending the rush was a bit off on occasion as he gave up too much of the outside lane and still has trouble avoiding the hard forecheck) Mailloux was, in this writer's opinion, Laval's best player in the game.
Engstrom had a solid but largely unremarkable game. He showed flashes of his superior mobility and made no major gaffs defensively. When the game was tied or Laval was trailing I was hoping that Engstrom would assert himself more forcefully, but whether by choice or by coaching direction, Engstrom played a conservative and safe game.
Trudeau, like Engstrom played a solid, safe style game. Trudeau, flashed his superior mobility on a few occasions taking the puck deep into the Utica zone but those instances were rare. Trudeau continues to impress with his strength along the boards as he wins more puck battles than he loses. While nowhere near having Mailloux's level of skill, Trudeau did make a number of excellent stretch passes to streaking Laval forwards that put great pressure on the Utica defence. Despite a couple of untimely giveaways, Trudeau had a strong game and continues to show his NHL potential.
