Laval Rocket: Wilkes-Baree/Scranton Penguins at Laval Rocket 7:00 pm - Watch on RDS

[Rapala]

I actually thought they were playing really well in 2nd period & beginning of 3rd period. They just couldn't put the puck in the net. It was getting a little frustrating because the game should have been tied; instead they went down 3-0.

They never stopped pushing & jamming the net, and scored 3 goals in 10 minutes.

Imo, they deserved the win.

The one thing that was horrible was our D how many players did we let get behind us maybe 6?
that isn't good enough for me.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

The one thing that was horrible was our our D how many players did we let get behind us maybe 6?
that isn't good enough for me.

Yeah, there were a few too many 2 on 0s. Primeau made several good stops.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Mesar Pass 2:35
Mesar Gets Robbed 3:29
Condotta Fight 3:58
Xhekaj Hit 4:48
Primeau Big Save 5:52
Primeau Breakaway Save 7:26
Trudeau Goal 7:31
Xhekaj Goal/Tuch/Davidson 8:18
Trudeau/Tuch Assist 8:53
Davidson OT Winner/Mailloux 10:01

Just realized Davidson did the Superman celebration.

 

[Rapala]

Davidson needs to thank the ref for his ultra quick whistle Beck had the game won.
What a terrible call.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Davidson needs to thank the ref for his ultra quick whistle Beck had the game won.
What a terrible call.

I watched the game and despite the remarkable comeback (greatly assisted by playing against a back up rookie goalie on a PTO) I thought it was one of Laval's weaker performances. It was one of the few games where the opposing team looked faster and more skilled than Laval. But for the heroics of Primeau, Laval loses this game by a half dozen goals.

Here is my assessment of the play of our prospects.

I thought it was another uneven game by Beck. He was skating well but he wasn't driving the play as he has often done this season. Beck (like many of the Laval players) got better as the game proceeded and showed his excellent play making and shooting ability particularly during Laval's extend power plays. Beck, who was only 50-50 on face-offs played the point, half boards and the bumper slot position and had multiple scoring opportunities. It was interesting to listen to the Penguins' announcer who joins the many other announcers of opposing teams who hold Beck in high regard. Beck's skating and slick play really makes him noticeable when he is on his game.

Roy had a tepid performance and was invisible for long stretches and was particularly ineffective on the power play. In the plus column, Roy did show some physicality on the forecheck.

Farrell was back in the line-up and I thought he was one of Laval's better players in the first two periods. Farrell showed quickness on the rush, pursued pucks relentlessly, showed good offensive vision and an impressive shot. Though he played little in the third period, I thought it was one of Farrell's better recent games.

Davidson, who played on a line with Florian Xhekaj and Tuch, had his best game of the season showing impressive speed with and without the puck, a fierce forecheck, and playmaking ability that directly led to two third period. Davidson played on the Rocket's second power play and scored the game winning goal in overtime, going as he usually does, hard to the net. With his improved skating, strong physical play and great shot, Davidson is quickly climbing up the Canadiens' depth chart of forwards and seems to be on track of making the Canadiens sometime next year.

While Tuch, had a quiet game in the first two periods showing occasional bursts of speed, good defensive positioning and aggressive net presence, it was in the second half of the third period when he and his linemates ( Davidson and Xhekaj) took over the game, scoring two quick goals that sent the game into overtime and Davidson's resulting heroics. Tuch showed his high potential in those pivotal ten minutes: great speed, size and the necessary offensive awareness to take advantage of the opportunities resulting from his speed and on-ice presence.

Xhekaj, like his linemates, had a modest first two periods, but helped his line play the determining role in Laval's extraordinary comeback from a 3-0 deficit. Xhekaj scored Laval's second goal on a great feed from Tuch and was a physical presence during the final half of the third period. Xhekaj had a number of heavy hits and his on-ice presence was unsettling to the Penguin players. He moved well without the puck but was again woeful in the face-off circle.

Mesar had an excellent game and was easily Laval's best player over the first two periods. He showed quickness with the puck and made several excellent plays that created scoring chances including making a great cross ice pass to Trudeau ( think Hutson to Dach against Utah) that resulted in Laval's first goal of the game. The most important thing is that Mesar competed, he skated with speed, he was noticeable, he fought hard on the boards for the puck and won some of those battles. It was Mesar's best game since before his injury.

Mailloux had a mixed game: some good and some bad. The good was that he actually rushed with puck including once, on the rare time that he was on the penalty killing unit, where he skated with the puck and took a shot that hit the post. At times, Mailloux very steady in the defensive zone and he made a number of excellent plays in the offensive zones and was able to get his shot through from the point. The bad included allowing opposing players to get by him on several occasions and taking undisciplined penalties. It was interesting to note that Laval's coaching staff rarely had Mailloux on the power play which I think is an accurate indication of what they really think of Mailloux's game.

Engstrom was another player that had a mixed game. Largely unnoticeable for most of the game Engstrom had a give-a-way at the offensive blue that led to goal against. But Engstrom did flash his high talent both in orchestrating several excellent plays in the offensive zone and making several hi-light reel rushes where he flashed his strong mobility and puck handling skills that no other Laval defence could duplicate.

Trudeau was Laval's most dynamic defenceman making a number of great rushes which led to multiple scoring chances and to his scoring Laval's first goal. With any luck Trudeau could have score at least 2 or 3 more goals. Trudeau made a number of crafty plays in the offensive zone including the pass in overtime that resulted in the game winning goal. This kid has really passed Mailloux in the team's defensive prospect depth charts. Frankly, I don't think its close.

 

[Bombshell11]

I watched the game and despite the remarkable comeback (greatly assisted by playing against a back up rookie goalie on a PTO) I thought it was one of Laval's weaker performances. It was one of the few games where the opposing team looked faster and more skilled than Laval. But for the heroics of Primeau, Laval loses this game by a half dozen goals.

Here is my assessment of the play of our prospects.

I thought it was another uneven game by Beck. He was skating well but he wasn't driving the play as he has often done this season. Beck (like many of the Laval players) got better as the game proceeded and showed his excellent play making and shooting ability particularly during Laval's extend power plays. Beck, who was only 50-50 on face-offs played the point, half boards and the bumper slot position and had multiple scoring opportunities. It was interesting to listen to the Penguins' announcer who joins the many other announcers of opposing teams who hold Beck in high regard. Beck's skating and slick play really makes him noticeable when he is on his game.

Roy had a tepid performance and was invisible for long stretches and was particularly ineffective on the power play. In the plus column, Roy did show some physicality on the forecheck.

Farrell was back in the line-up and I thought he was one of Laval's better players in the first two periods. Farrell showed quickness on the rush, pursued pucks relentlessly, showed good offensive vision and an impressive shot. Though he played little in the third period, I thought it was one of Farrell's better recent games.

Davidson, who played on a line with Florian Xhekaj and Tuch, had his best game of the season showing impressive speed with and without the puck, a fierce forecheck, and playmaking ability that directly led to two third period. Davidson played on the Rocket's second power play and scored the game winning goal in overtime, going as he usually does, hard to the net. With his improved skating, strong physical play and great shot, Davidson is quickly climbing up the Canadiens' depth chart of forwards and seems to be on track of making the Canadiens sometime next year.

While Tuch, had a quiet game in the first two periods showing occasional bursts of speed, good defensive positioning and aggressive net presence, it was in the second half of the third period when he and his linemates ( Davidson and Xhekaj) took over the game, scoring two quick goals that sent the game into overtime and Davidson's resulting heroics. Tuch showed his high potential in those pivotal ten minutes: great speed, size and the necessary offensive awareness to take advantage of the opportunities resulting from his speed and on-ice presence.

Xhekaj, like his linemates, had a modest first two periods, but helped his line play the determining role in Laval's extraordinary comeback from a 3-0 deficit. Xhekaj scored Laval's second goal on a great feed from Tuch and was a physical presence during the final half of the third period. Xhekaj had a number of heavy hits and his on-ice presence was unsettling to the Penguin players. He moved well without the puck but was again woeful in the face-off circle.

Mesar had an excellent game and was easily Laval's best player over the first two periods. He showed quickness with the puck and made several excellent plays that created scoring chances including making a great cross ice pass to Trudeau ( think Hutson to Dach against Utah) that resulted in Laval's first goal of the game. The most important thing is that Mesar competed, he skated with speed, he was noticeable, he fought hard on the boards for the puck and won some of those battles. It was Mesar's best game since before his injury.

Mailloux had a mixed game: some good and some bad. The good was that he actually rushed with puck including once, on the rare time that he was on the penalty killing unit, where he skated with the puck and took a shot that hit the post. At times, Mailloux very steady in the defensive zone and he made a number of excellent plays in the offensive zones and was able to get his shot through from the point. The bad included allowing opposing players to get by him on several occasions and taking undisciplined penalties. It was interesting to note that Laval's coaching staff rarely had Mailloux on the power play which I think is an accurate indication of what they really think of Mailloux's game.

Engstrom was another player that had a mixed game. Largely unnoticeable for most of the game Engstrom had a give-a-way at the offensive blue that led to goal against. But Engstrom did flash his high talent both in orchestrating several excellent plays in the offensive zone and making several hi-light reel rushes where he flashed his strong mobility and puck handling skills that no other Laval defence could duplicate.

Trudeau was Laval's most dynamic defenceman making a number of great rushes which led to multiple scoring chances and to his scoring Laval's first goal. With any luck Trudeau could have score at least 2 or 3 more goals. Trudeau made a number of crafty plays in the offensive zone including the pass in overtime that resulted in the game winning goal. This kid has really passed Mailloux in the team's defensive prospect depth charts. Frankly, I don't think its close.

To follow up on previous conversation.

Laval had a 4 min PP just 2 mins before the end of the game, he played zero minutes for the first 2 minutes and only 1 shift in the begening of the OT, almost scored a goal. (In one shift). He was immediately replaced in favour of Roy who in 2 mins did almost nothing.

You asked me how Mesar is not getting his opportunities well this is a prime demonstration of how they’re holding him back in favour of less talented players.

You mentioned it yourself he was the best offensive player tonight, he made a pass that opened up the score for laval which started the comeback and he was basicly benched in a time the team would have used his skills the most.

its clear they’re holding him back on purpose, i dont get why, hes a pp specialist and hes getting almost no pp?