Rocket Lineup

Rafael Harvey-Pinard – Ryan Poehling – Alex Belzile

Laurent Dauphin – Jean-Sebastien Dea – Jesse Ylonen

Michael Pezzetta – Lukas Vejdemo – Gabriel Bourque

Brandon Baddock – Jean-Christophe Beaudin – Danick Martel

Gianni Fairbrother – Xavier Ouellet

Corey Schueneman – Louie Belpedio

Tobie Paquette-Bisson – Carl Neill

Cayden Primeau – Michael McNiven

Alexandre Fortin, Terrance Amorosa, Tory Dello, Kevin Roy, Brendan Gignac

Joel Teasdale (surgery), Josh Brook (surgery)

Game Report

Game Report written by Chris G

The Rocket continued their home stand on Friday as the Rochester Americans visited Place Bell. Laval was coming off a 5-0 victory against Toronto on Wednesday, while Rochester lost 7-3 in Belleville on the same night. 

Ryan Poehling returned to the lineup after missing the last four matches with an upper body injury. Brandon Gignac was scratched to make room for Poehling’s return. 

Cayden Primeau got the start for a third consecutive match. On Sunday he found himself on the wrong side of a 3-0 shutout by the Bridgeport Islanders, but made 21 saves on Wednesday to record his own shutout. It was his first of the season, and seventh in his career. 

Elizabeth Mantha made her American Hockey League (AHL) refereeing debut. The Longueuil, Quebec native is one of the 10 females planned to officiate matches in the AHL this season.

First Period

Rochester scored the only goal of the first period on their second shot. Jean-Sebastien Dea was serving a tripping penalty, when Michael Mersch beat Primeau with a shot from left of the goalie. The puck hit Primeau before finding its way in the back of the net.

Action was on both sides of the ice as there was several turnovers in the first 20 minutes. Laval wasn’t able to capitalize on their several scoring chances obtained in the first period. Jesse Ylonen had two opportunities on the opening shift that were stopped and, with 4:46 remaining, the 22-year old missed an open net by shooting a puck too high.

Second Period

Former Canadiens defenseman Brandon Davidson increased Rochester’s lead to two goals just 40 seconds into the period. Davidson beat Primeau through a screen with a blast from the point that went top corner glove side. 

Laval controlled the next eight minutes of action, outshooting Rochester 10-0. At the 4:43 mark, Corey Schueneman put the Rocket on the board with a shot from the point that beat Aaron Dell during a power play.

The Americans recaptured their two-goal lead when Mersch tipped Davidson’s shot from the point. Mersch’s goal was Rochester’s second goal of the period on their second shot on goal. 

Laval killed off penalties to Gabriel Bourque and Schueneman in the final seven minutes of the frame, avoiding Rochester from taking a commanding lead into the second intermission.

Third Period

Rafael Harvey-Pinard cut the lead to one during the seventh minute with a backhand shot that beat Dell top corner. It was Harvey-Pinard’s first of the year.

With 4:47 remaining in the contest, Sean Malone fed the puck to Casey Fitzgerald at the point. Fitzgerald got the puck past Primeau with the one-timer to give Rochester a 4-2 lead.   

Laval captain Xavier Ouellet kept the game close as he scored his second of the season on the ensuing shift. Poehling recorded his second assist of the night as he found Ouellet waiting at the doorstep for the tally. 

Laval had several chances to tie the score while Primeau was on the bench for the extra attacker, but weren’t able to get the puck across the red line. 

What’s Next?

Friday was Laval’s first loss at Place Bell this season. The two teams will face each other again on Saturday at 1:00 pm eastern time.

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

Plus / Minus

▲ Jesse Ylonen, Lukas Vejdemo

▼ Alex Belzile, Michael Pezzetta