Rocket Lineup

Yannick Veilleux – Jordan Weal – Rafael Harvey-Pinard

Brandon Baddock – Laurent Dauphin – Jake Lucchini

Joel Teasdale – Joseph Blandisi – Jesse Ylonen

Michael Pezzetta – Lukas Vejdemo – Kevin Lynch

Xavier Ouellet – Josh Brook

Otto Leskinen – Cale Fleury

Gustav Olofsson – Corey Schueneman

Michael McNiven – Cayden Primeau

Tobie Paquette-Bisson, Nathanael Halbert, Liam Hawel, Cameron Hillis, Hayden Verbeek, Jan Mysak, Sam Vigneault, Arsen Khisamutdinov, Jacob Leguerrier, Gianni Fairbrother

Alex Belzile (day-to-day), Kaiden Guhle (day-to-day), Ryan Poehling (day-to-day)

Game Report

Game Report written by Chris G

The Rocket hosted the Senators on Saturday in the second of the four-game series between the teams. On Friday, Joseph Blandisi was the first star of the game scoring two goals to give Laval a 5-1 victory.

Ryan Poehling was not in the lineup after suffering a minor injury in the season opener, and is considered day-to-day. Brandon Baddock replaced him in the forward group. Michael McNiven got the start in goal. Joel Bouchard made no other changes from Friday’s roster.

First Period

The Senators obtained the most dangerous scoring chances in the first period and forced McNiven to make several key saves. Laval took their first shot on goal almost six and a half minutes into the frame. 

Laurent Dauphin opened the scoring with 2:24 remaining in the opening period. Gustav Olofsson’s point shot was redirected by Baddock, and Dauphin was waiting in front of the crease to knock the puck between the legs of Kevin Mandolese for the goal.

The Senators tied the score with 50 seconds remaining, during an odd-man rush, as Parker Kelly beat McNiven with a top corner shot.

Second Period

Yannick Veilleux gave his team another lead by scoring two goals in the second period. Veilleux was posted on the left side of the net before skating to the front and surprising Mandolese through the legs to score a power play goal in the first minute. 

With 8:39 remaining in the frame, Jordan Weal set Veilleux up for a one-timer in the slot that ended up behind the netminder. Weal obtained an assist on both goals.

Later in the period, Cale Fleury set up Lukas Vejdemo with a cross-ice pass. Vejdemo just had to tap the puck into the net for his second of the season.

Laval extended their lead to four goals when Raphael Harvey-Pinard scored his first goal at the professional level. Harvey-Pinard jumped onto the ice from the bench moments before beating Mandolese with a blocker side shot with 2:15 remaining.

Third Period

Laval continued its domination in the third period, outshooting their opponents 14-5. Belleville showed signs of frustration and the physical play intensified in the final 20 minutes. Baddock particularly got under the skin of the Senators and drew a lot of attention after the whistles. 

There was no scoring in the period and Laval went on to win 5-1.

What’s Next?

It was a successful weekend for the Rocket, outscoring their rivals 10-2 in two games. 

Laval will have the day off on Sunday before returning to practice on Monday. 

Bouchard told the media that his plan for the opening weekend was to insert players that were with the team last season. He said that some of the younger players will get a chance to play next week.

The Senators return to the Bell Centre on Tuesday night at 7:00pm Eastern to face the Rocket once again.  

Be sure to scroll down to hear full audio from tonight’s post-game media call with McNiven, Veilleux, Harvey-Pinard, and Bouchard.

Plus / Minus

▲  Michael McNiven, Yannick Veilleux, Jordan Weal, Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Gustav Olofsson, Cale Fleury

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