Despite the shootout win, I didn't think this was one of Laval's better games. Maybe it was the disruptive effect of losing ABB to injury early in the first period. Some of our prospects played well and others less so. The team had a good first period, stalled in the second, pressed the play a bit in the third period and dominated the overtime. One of their best facets in their was the penalty kill, including killing off a lengthy 5 on 3. They even managed to score a shorthanded goal that was called back.
I have to again comment on the production quality of AHL games. I don't understand the penchant for showing the fans in the stands at every stoppage of play. It's at best annoying but it becomes maddening when they repeatedly miss the start of play because they are showing a 12 year old eating a hot dog.
I thought Beck had one of his more quieter games. He still displayed his excellent skating, had a few scoring chances , particularly in the overtime period, made a few nice passes, but he failed to drive the play on a consistent basis as he has been doing in the last half dozen games. He was, however, excellent in the overtime period as his speed caused Syracuse trouble. Beck had a miserable night in the face-off circle.
Roy started the game slowly and then started to show off his silky hands and offensive vision. Roy had multiple scoring chances and displayed good speed on several rushes and on the backcheck including, catching Conor Sheary on a break-a-way in overtime. One has to ask why Roy doesn't show that level of speed every game.
Farrell had a few good rushes and a wrap around chance where he showed some quickness. He was mostly ineffective as he was pushed off the puck easily and lost most puck battles. Farrell tries hard but just doesn't have the on-ice strength to provide any consistent offensive contribution.
I thought Tuch had a strong game. Tuch plays with speed, power and physicality and used his NHL level skating to create several scoring chances off the rush and to intimidate opposing defencemen on the forecheck. While Tuch has limited offensive potential, he remains Laval's most NHL ready forward.
Kidney remains the most surprising player. He showed good speed, strength along the boards and good play making ability where he made nice passes that created scoring chances including a pass that led up to Laval's third goal. The more I watch, the more I believe that if Kidney gets a bit stronger and get's a half step quicker, he'll play in the NHL and play well.
Davison continued to display his heavy, pro-style game, acceptable straight-forward speed and his good shot that resulted in two goals off one-timers and the only goal scored by either team in the shoot-out. Most importantly, Davidson never takes a shift off. Like Kidney, Davidson needs to get faster. If he does, Davidson will make the NHL either with Montreal or some other team.
Florian Xhekaj had a poor game. He didn't generate any offensive push and was again horrible on face-offs. Laval didn't use him much on the penalty killing unit. Xhekaj is young and still has lots of time to develop the skills that he needs to make and succeed at the next level.
Mailloux was not as fluid in his skating as he was in the last game. He again was unable to beat the first forechecker to create time and options to get the puck out the defensive zone. I didn't see Mailloux transport the puck once from his zone, through the neutral ice zone and gain control of the puck in the offensive zone. In this game Mailloux made few major errors but he wasn't able to control opposing forwards along the boards and there were several times that Laval remained pinned in their zone for extended periods when Mailloux was on the ice. His passing skills remain elite, he was an effective quarterback on Laval's powerplay and he had multiple scoring chances including ringing one shot off the crossbar. If this kid can somehow gain that extra half step, he' going to be a star. But that is a big if.
To this writer, Engstrom was Laval's best defenceman. Engstrom broke up multiple Syracuse rushes, transported the puck with good mobility and made several excellent offensive plays in the offensive zone including a great play/pass to Gignac, who scored a disputed short handed goal. Engstrom plays a high-risk game and that approach resulted in several turnovers. He was also beaten wide in a 4 on 4 situation that required Mailloux to take a penalty to prevent a good scoring chance against. Nevertheless, Engstrom is one of the top NHL level ready players on the Rocket.
Finally, Trudeau had one of his better games. Trudeau was much stronger in his own zone, he made few gaffs, he again displayed the mobility to effectively transport the puck and he made several good moves in the offensive zone.