The Laval Rocket faced off against the Manitoba Moose in a highly anticipated match on Friday night at Place Bell. This event was special as it celebrated Quebec hockey history, paying homage to legendary player Maurice Richard with commemorative jerseys.
The Rocket made significant changes to their lineup, with Joshua Roy returning from injury and joining Owen Beck, who had recently been sent down from the NHL. Jared Davidson completed this formidable second line, while Filip Mesar moved to the fourth line. Defensively, David Reinbacher teamed up with Adam Engström, and Kaapo Kähkönen was in goal.
Laval’s Strong Start falters
Laval came out strong, showcasing high energy and pace early in the game. The revamped second line of Roy and Beck created multiple scoring opportunities. However, it was the third line that broke the deadlock when Luke Tuch scored the first goal for the Rocket. Tuch retrieved his own rebound after a shot from Florian Xhekaj, giving Laval a 1-0 lead.
This lead was short-lived. A defensive lapse allowed Manitoba to equalize through Dylan Anhorn, who capitalized on a loose puck to make it 1-1.
Power Play Action
The Rocket quickly regained momentum, drawing a power play but failing to convert. Despite dominating possession, Thomas Milic, the Moose goalie, stood firm, thwarting Laval’s attempts. The Rocket’s Alex Belzile was penalized for a slash, but their penalty kill held strong to keep the game tied.
Second Period Struggles
As the second period progressed, the Rocket struggled to find the net despite maintaining pressure on Manitoba. Laval’s power play encountered difficulties as they attempted to force plays instead of utilizing available options. They headed into the intermission tied at 1-1, having outshot the Moose but unable to capitalize on numerous opportunities.
Final Stretch
The third period began with Laval continuing to dominate possession and create chances. However, a penalty to Vincent Arseneau for hitting Tyrel Bauer created a challenge. Laval’s penalty kill was effective yet again, maintaining the tie as the game neared its conclusion.
In the closing moments, Laval was awarded a power play after Lucas Condotta was tripped. Despite this late opportunity, the Rocket once again struggled to find a quality scoring chance, leading the game into overtime.
Overtime and Shootout
Overtime saw no goals despite Laval controlling the puck, leading to a shootout to determine the winner. Unfortunately for the Rocket, Belzile and Roy were both denied by Milic. On the opposing side, Nikita Chibrikov and Brad Lambert converted their chances, giving Manitoba a 2-1 victory.
Next Steps for the Rocket
This loss marks the third consecutive defeat for Laval. They will return to the rink on Saturday to face Manitoba again, with puck drop scheduled for 3 PM ET at Place Bell.
