Laval Rocket: Laval Rockets @ Lehigh Valley Phantoms, November 30
- Thread starter Don D
- Start date
Davidson is such a hound on and along the boards. LOVE IT
- Jun 24, 2012
- 85,561
- 157,206
Don D
Registered User
- Oct 15, 2017
- 492
- 594
Is FloHockey running this site.....so slow!
Guess the Rocket is imitating the NHL team!!
Habs 4 Life
No Excuses
- Jun 24, 2012
- 85,561
- 157,206
LMFAO I’m dumb
I don’t know why they called him up in the first place but that’s for another thread.
Your scoring summary:
Stopped watching when it went 4-2.
I sensed it coming we are officially finding ways to lose.
Missing Gignac, Roy, Tuch, Mesar
Also just coming back to normal after winning way too many games.
jrom
Registered User
- Mar 28, 2022
- 2,120
- 4,647
seems he did a good job helping Nemec last year in Utica, he would have been a great partner for Reinbacher
dackelljuneaubulis02
Registered User
- Oct 13, 2012
- 11,960
- 7,614
ChesterNimitz
governed by the principle of calculated risk
- Jul 4, 2002
- 5,892
- 12,826
The missing players sums up what undermined what generally had been a good performances by the Laval team. There simply wasn’t a enough quality depth available, particularly in a back to back games' situation. Despite being shorthanded personnel -wise, surrendering a lead and being the second game in two consecutive afternoons, I have to admire the team's effort. They just ran out of gas in the third period. It was a game that Laval dominated for large stretches of time which saw the Rockets outshooting and out chancing their opponent. The end score is not really that important, only how our 'prized' prospects played. It is interesting to note that the Lehigh Valley announcer repeatedly commented on the quality and depth of Laval's young players
In that regard, here are my thoughts and observations on the play of our prospects.
Laval reunited the Beck, Davidson and Farrell line which was easily the most effective line for Laval creating multiple scoring chances off the rush and forecheck. Beck had a good rebound game after a series of less than stellar performances. He showed his explosive skating in transporting the puck, on the forecheck and in cutting off the ice to opposing forwards. Beck showed his offensive vision and playmaking skills by setting up his line mates on multiple occasions. Beck was strong on the puck, strong along the boards, constantly being first on the puck , played physically and showed off his excellent shot several times. He still needs to improve on faceoffs, but he certainly wasn't grossly overmatched this afternoon. This kid will compete for a spot on the Canadiens next and even this year depending on how aggressive Hughes is at the trading deadline. He'll soon be ready for the next step. He may already be.
Playing with an invigorated Beck allowed Farrell to show much better than what he has been able to do recently. Farrell displayed his speed/quickness in the offensive zone and his offensive chops when repeatedly engaged in clever give and go plays with his line mates, including one play where Beck was able to send Farrell in alone on the opposing net. Farrell has to get stronger if he's to have any chance of making it into the next level. He's easily pushed off the puck and loses too may puck battles to larger stronger opponents. But in the open ice, while in motion, this kid has some merit.
Davidson really benefited by playing with a more engaged Beck as he continued to show his offensive potential with another strong performance where he displayed improving quickness (which drew a penalty), offensive creativity, a nose for the net and his excellent shot. Davidson played a complete, hardnosed, physical style of game in all three zones. He pursues the puck and backchecks hard. He never seems to take a shift off. His scoring success so far is as much a testament to his effort and approach to the game as are his skills. If Davidson's level of play continues I think there is little doubt that he will play a game or two in Montreal this year. He's earned it and Montreal can use his mixture of intensity, physicality and skill.
Florian Xhekaj had a mixed game, some bad but mostly good. The good included his overall ice presence: he skated well (with and without the puck), he forechecked with authority including a sequence that resulted in Laval's third goal with the goalie out, he displayed good offensive vision making several clever passes that led to scoring chances, he was around the opposition net all game, he had several scoring chances and he was physical. The bad, included an inopportune turnover in the defensive zone that led to a Lehigh Valley goal, his continuing poor performance on faceoffs including a lost defensive zone faceoff that directly resulted in another Lehigh Valley goal, and a lack of discipline that gave the opponent an early 5 on 3 advantage. Xhekaj is young and he's still getting his feet wet in the AHL but he's showing every game that his game is growing and that he's legitimate prospect.
The surprising Kidney continues to impress as his game appears to be growing and improving each game. Kidney, who played a regular shift and on Laval's second power play unit, showed good speed/acceleration, excellent play making (he was credited with two assists), an effective shot, strong board play and a forechecking/backchecking presence. Bottom line, Kidney was noticeable. If he gets stronger and a bit quicker , this kid is making the NHL.
Mailloux had a poor performance where the warts in his game (skating limitations and defensive acumen) were exposed. Mailloux was tentative in the defensive zone, committing a number of turnovers that led to a multiple chances against and one Lehigh Valley goal. His lack of skating resulted in his continuing inability to evade forecheckers and opposing forwards being able to beat him wide on the rush that led to another Lehigh Valley goal. Mailloux was uncomfortable all game long: bobbling pucks at the offensive blue line; making high risk passes and taking way too long to get his shot away. This kid has a lot of talent: a great first pass; a good shot and elite offensive vision. But right now, in many games, he's just a mediocre AHL level defenceman. This kids path to the NHL is as a forward.
Engstrom played a steady game and displayed the mobility that allowed him to: consistently evade Lehigh Valley's forecheck, close the gap aggressively both in the defensive and neutral zones, walk the line at the offensive blueline and make positive plays in the offensive zone. Engstrom exhibits all the skills necessary that will allow him to play and excel at the next level.
Trudeau had his best game in a while showing mobility, physicality and offensive vision. Trudeau made multiple good moves at the offensive blueline that kept the puck in the Lehigh Valley's end and he made a number of excellent passes that created scoring chances. Trudeau has excellent offensive instincts and places himself in a position that makes himself available to other teammates. While there were few warts in Trudeau's overall game against Lehigh, he still must cut down on the high risk plays he tries that, if they fail, can result in odd man chances against. Also, Trudeau must show greater discipline both before and after the whistle. Trudeau's game, like some of our other prospects is increasing incrementally, though in his case, at times, hesitantly. If this progress/growth continues, Trudeau has the talent to make the next level.
Last edited:
