Rocket Lineup

Rafael Harvey-Pinard – Jean-Sebastien Dea – Jesse Ylonen

Danick Martel – Cedric Paquette – Alex Belzile

Gabriel Bourque – Nate Schnarr – Joel Teasdale

Lucas Condotta – Brandon Gignac – Kevin Roy

Xavier Ouellet – Sami Niku

Tobie Paquette-Bisson – Louie Belpedio

Corey Schueneman – Tory Dello

Kevin Poulin – Cayden Primeau

Emil Heineman, Olivier Galipeau, Devante Smith-Pelly, Peter Abbandonato, Terrance Amorosa, Nicolas Mattinen, Gabriel Mollot-Hill, Owen Savory, Jean-Christophe Beaudin

Gianni Fairbrother (undisclosed), Cameron Hillis, Lukas Vejdemo (lower body)

Game Report

Game Report written by Chris G

The Rocket returned to Place Bell on Friday with a chance to clinch a playoff spot if they could get a regulation win against the Toronto Marlies. A regulation loss for Toronto would eliminate them from the postseason.

Laval concluded a five-game road trip on Monday with a 4-1 loss to the Belleville Senators. The Marlies lost 5-4 to the Senators in Belleville on Wednesday.

Rafael Harvey-Pinard was returned by the Canadiens earlier in the day just in time for the big game. Lucas Condotta slotted back into the lineup after being scratched the last three contests.

On defence, Corey Schueneman slotted in the lineup for the first time since being returned from the Canadiens. His last appearance in Laval was on Feb. 12th in Syracuse. As a result, Terrance Amorosa was scratched.

The rotation continued in goal with Kevin Poulin obtaining the start on Friday. In his last start, Poulin made 30 saves in Laval’s 4-2 win in Cleveland.

First Period

Toronto obtained an early opportunity to head on the power play when Tobie Paquette-Bisson was in the box for hooking after turning over the puck. Laval’s penalty kill unit prevented Toronto from taking a shot on goal throughout the entire minor penalty. 

It took Laval 8:17 to get their first shot on goal, and it came during a power play when Jesse Ylonen took a one-timer from his office at the faceoff circle. 

Joel Teasdale opened the scoring at 11:17 when his shot from the side of the net deflected on goalie Michael Hutchinson before crossing the red line. The goal was Teasdale’s seventh point in the last seven games, and Condotta’s assist on the sequence was his first point as a professional. 

Laval went on the power play for a second time in the frame, and similar to earlier in the opportunity, it gave them momentum despite not scoring during the two minutes.

Second Period

The Marlies dominated the second period by scoring three times. First, Brett Seney intercepted Gabriel Bourque’s pass in behind of Laval’s goal line, and set up Joey Anderson for a goal from the slot. 

Later in the period, Paquette-Bisson lost his footing at Toronto’s blue line, and that created an odd-man rush that ended up behind Poulin. Laval’s bench was furious as there was contact between Richard Clune and Poulin before the puck crossed the red line. 

The Marlies increased their lead to two goals when defenceman Philippe Myers skated around Bourque and into the slot to score his first of the season. 

Laval’s chances in the period came from Teasdale early in the period, and Cedric Paquette during a power play.

Third Period

Toronto continued to control the game in the third period. Nick Robertson increased the lead to three goals after stealing the puck off Sami Niku’s stick. Robertson beat Poulin between the pads on the breakaway.

Laval was awarded three power play opportunities in the third period, but did not manage to get any pucks behind Hutchinson. 

Pontus Holmberg sealed the 6-1 win with an empty-net goal.

What’s Next?

The 9,643 fans at Place Bell left the building disappointed with Friday’s result. Laval will attempt to clinch a playoff spot again on Saturday in Syracuse.

Kevin Roy left the game during the second period after receiving a stick in the face. He was reportedly undergoing tests at the hospital. Paquette did not finish the game after a contact in the third period. Bourque missed some playing time due to illness. All three players are questionable for Saturday’s game.

Be sure to scroll down to hear post-game interviews with Alex Belzile, Xavier Ouellet and Houle by the AHL Report team and other members of the media.

Plus / Minus

▲ Joel Teasdale, Jesse Ylonen

▼ Tobie Paquette-Bisson, Tory Dello, Sami Niku, Gabriel Bourque