Rocket Lineup

Rafael Harvey-Pinard – Alex Belzile – Jesse Ylonen

Anthony Richard – Brandon Gignac – Danick Martel

Lucas Condotta – Nate Schnarr – Gabriel Bourque

Xavier Simoneau – Jan Mysak – Pierrick Dube

Otto Leskinen – Justin Barron

Mattias Norlinder – Tory Dello

William Trudeau – Madison Bowey

Cayden Primeau – Cayden Primeau

Brennan Saulnier, Joel Teasdale, Mitchell Stephens (suspended), Alex Green, Peter Abbandonato

Gianni Fairbrother (knee)

Game Report

Game Report written by Chris G

The Laval Rocket hosted the Springfield Thunderbirds on Wednesday. The last time that these two teams faced each other was in last season’s Eastern Conference Final, when Springfield won the series in seven games.

Both clubs headed into the night looking for their first win of the season. Laval lost a pair of matchups against Belleville, including a 6-3 loss on Saturday. Springfield lost two home contests against Bridgeport and Providence.

Jean-Francois Houle made no changes to the skaters from the last match. Cayden Primeau got the start in goal after a brief stint with the Canadiens. In his first appearance, Primeau allowed six goals on 38 shots versus Belleville.

First Period

Laval came off to a strong start to the game as Brandon Gignac scored in the first minute. After discussion, the officials reversed the call on ice and disallowed the goal as Gignac hit the puck with a high stick before crossing the red line.

The Rocket drew three power plays in the frame without converting any of their opportunities.

Springfield goalie Joel Hofer stopped 14 shots including several key saves to keep Laval off the board through 20 minutes.

Second Period

Laval controlled the first half of the period, outshooting Springfield 10-3 after 11:38 of play. Hofer continued making big saves including stops on Jesse Ylonen and Madison Bowey from the slot.

The ice tilted in the Thunderbirds favour for the remainder of the frame, outshooting the Rocket 8-1.

Each team had one opportunity with the extra attacker that were unsuccessful, and the match remained scoreless into the second intermission.

Third Period

Gabriel Bourque scored for a third consecutive game as he opened the scoring during the fifth minute of the period. Laval has scored first in all three games this season. Bourque beat Hofer with a top corner blocker side shot after being setup by Otto Leskinen.

Springfield tried to get the goal back but were unable to get any pucks behind Primeau. The Thunderbirds closest opportunity came on an odd-man rush when Dylan McLaughlin hit the post.

Tory Dello put the home team in trouble in the final moments after being called for high sticking. The Rocket successfully killed Dello’s penalty and the defenceman thanked his teammates with icing the game with an empty net goal.

What’s Next?

Primeau made 34 saves to contribute to Laval’s first win of the 2022-23 season. It was his first AHL shutout since November 10, 2021.

The Rocket will head to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to face the Penguins on Friday at 7:05 pm Eastern time.

Plus / Minus

▲ Cayden Primeau, Tory Dello, Gabriel Bourque, Jesse Ylonen, William Trudeau

▼ Xavier Simoneau