Rocket Lineup

Rafael Harvey-Pinard – Alex Belzile – Jesse Ylonen

Anthony Richard – Mitchell Stephens – Gabriel Bourque

Lucas Condotta – Jan Mysak – Joel Teasdale

Brandon Gignac – Nate Schnarr – Xavier Simoneau

Otto Leskinen – Justin Barron

Mattias Norlinder – Madison Bowey

Corey Schueneman – Tory Dello

Cayden Primeau – Kevin Poulin

Brennan Saulnier, Alex Green, Danick Martel, Pierrick Dube, Peter Abbandonato, William Trudeau

Gianni Fairbrother (knee)

Game Report

Game Report written by Chris G

The Laval Rocket began a six-game homestand on Wednesday by hosting the Belleville Senators. It was the third confrontation of the season between the North Division rivals with Belleville coming on top in the first two matches.

Both teams were looking to snap their respective losing streaks. Laval was coming off two losses over the weekend against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Bridgeport Islanders, while Belleville had lost their last three contests.

Jean-Francois Houle slotted Brandon Gignac, Nate Schnarr, and Xavier Simonueau back into the lineup after being scratched on Sunday. Veteran forward Danick Martel, along with forwards Peter Abbandonato and Pierrick Dube were sidelined.

On defence, Corey Schueneman made his Laval Rocket season debut after being assigned to the AHL from the Montreal Canadiens. William Trudeau sat out to make room for Schueneman.

Cayden Primeau got the start in goal. In his last start, Primeau made 21 saves in the loss against the Penguins.

First Period

The Rocket dominated the first period outshooting the Senators 12-2 in the frame. Belleville needed 10:13 to record their first shot and took their second shot with 23 seconds remaining.

Laval had several dangerous opportunities on their end but were not able to get any pucks to cross the red line.

Senators goalie Kevin Mandolese stopped Gignac and Mitchell Stephens‘ respective breakaways. Stephens managed to get one behind Mandolese after a setup by Otto Leskinen but unfortunately for the home team, the puck hit the post and stayed out.

The Rocket’s two power plays in the period failed to register a shot on goal.

Second Period

Laval gave Belleville an opportunity to gain momentum as Jesse Ylonen, Gabriel Bourque, and Anthony Richard took consecutive minor penalties.

Egor Sokolov put the Senators on the board during Richard’s minor by beating Primeau with a top corner glove side shot.

Laval capitalized with a man advantage with 2:07 remaining in the period when Gignac fed Richard at the slot. Richard’s goal was his second in the last two games.

Third Period

At 10:03, Gignac gave Laval the lead for the first time in the night. The forward circled the net and landed in the slot and beat Mandolese. With an assist, Justin Barron collected his first point of the season.

Indiscipline creeped up on Laval and Belleville took advantage. Gignac was serving a double-minor for high sticking, when Tory Dello was called for closing his hand on the puck.

The Senators needed 19 seconds of the two-man advantage to tie the score when Roby Jarventie beat Primeau with a one-timer from the faceoff circle.

Belleville was shorthanded in the final minute when Mattias Norlinder slashed Rourke Chartier on a two-on-one after turning over the puck.

With nine seconds remaining, Chartier scored Belleville’s third power play goal of the night to give the Senators the 3-2 win.

What’s Next?

Belleville continues to have Laval’s number this season by winning all three matchups between the division rivals.

Laval’s homestand continues on Friday when the Rochester Americans visit Place Bell for a 7:00pm Eastern puck drop.

Plus / Minus

▲ Otto Leskinen, Brandon Gignac, Lucas Condotta, Anthony Richard

▼ Gabriel Bourque, Alex Belzile, Mattias Norlinder