Don D
Registered User
- Oct 15, 2017
- 465
- 852
Laval Rocket: Moose versus Rockets 8h00 EST
- Thread starter EveryDay
- Start date
Don D
Registered User
- Oct 15, 2017
- 465
- 852
Nice to root for a team that is never out of it. Actually, always expecting a win!!
ChesterNimitz
governed by the principle of calculated risk
- Jul 4, 2002
- 4,983
- 14,071
Had a chance to watch the game and here are my very brief observations. The team, which was undermanned on the blueline, played an effective road game and was able to hang around long enough to be in a position to take advantage of its scoring chances and stage a late comeback and secure a win, with both Engstrom and Reinbacher out of the lineup, Laval really had only one mobile defenceman, Trudeau, and that lack of mobility from the backend was really noticeable.
It was another disappointing game for Beck, who, despite having a few early scoring chances, was largely invisible. The great skating and dynamic playmaking that earned him a call up to the Canadiens earlier, has disappeared.
Farrell, who scored Laval's first goal, continued his excellent play and was probably Laval's most dangerous forward. Farrell's game has improved steadily since his inauspicious start this season as Farrell shows increased top end speed, strength on the boards , a willingness to go into the danger areas of the ice and quick release. It would not surprise this writer if Farrell pushed for a spot on the Canadiens next training camp. Farrell will play in the NHL, whether for the Canadiens or some other NHL team.
I thought Davidson had a workmanlike game where he displayed all the traits that makes him an excellent NHL prospect: physicality, high compete level, fair speed, a shoot first mentality, a nose for the net and a NHL level shot. Davidson scored Laval's second goal on the type of play that should soon see him in Montreal: going to the net and using his quick release to overpower goalies.
Xhekaj had a fair game, was physical, maintained a strong net presence, showed his surprising straight forward speed, was effective on the penalty kill, and nearly scored another shorthanded goal when his speed created a break-a-way from his own blueline. Once Xhekaj gets a step on you, it seems that no one is catching him.
I thought Dineen showed good promise as he displayed good skating, physicality and a high compete level. Dineen almost scored a goal when he was able to use his speed to cut around a Manitoba defenceman on the rush and force the opposing goalie to make a good save.
Similarly to Beck, Mesar had a quiet game. While he showed spurts of quickness, Mesar was largely unnoticeable. Tuch still looks rusty after his long absence due to injury. He came on a little as the game proceeded but Tuch's play was nowhere near the level he was playing at before his unfortunate injury.
On defence, Laval had only two legitimate prospects playing: Mailloux and Trudeau. Mailloux had a mediocre game. He once again was unable to effectively transport the puck against AHL level competition, was ineffective on the power play and made a horrible turnover at the offensive blueline that created a break-a-way for an opposing forward. While he was adequate in his defensive zone, with both Engstrom and Reinbacher missing, one would have hoped Mailloux would have stepped up. He didn't. Trudeau had a better game. He showed his mobility with and without the puck, was physical and made few mistakes defensively. The lone Manitoba goal was partially his fault as he was over aggressive in center ice trying for the big hit which left an opening for a Moose player to have a clear path to the Laval net. He made up for that gaff by scoring Laval's third goal with a shot from the point late in the third period.
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Farrel would probably be leading the team had he played like this from the start. What a turnaround! If only Mesar could do the same.
