Rocket Lineup

Anthony Richard – Brandon Gignac – Joel Teasdale

Lucas Condotta – Mitchell Stephens – Gabriel Bourque

Xavier Simoneau – Peter Abbandonato – Pierrick Dube

Riley McKay – Jan Mysak – Olivier Galipeau (seventh defenseman)

William Trudeau – Corey Schueneman

Mattias Norlinder – Tory Dello

Nicolas Beaudin – Madison Bowey

Cayden Primeau – Philippe Desrosiers

Rafael Harvey-Pinard (emergency NHL recall), Rem Pitlick (emergency NHL recall), Jesse Ylonen (emergency NHL recall), Alex Belzile (emergency NHL recall), John Parker-Jones

Gianni Fairbrother (knee), Danick Martel (DTD), Otto Leskinen, Kevin Poulin (upper-body)

Game Report

Game Report written by Chris G

The Laval Rocket resumed their four-game homestand on Saturday by hosting the Rockford IceHogs. Laval is coming off a two-game sweep over the Rochester Americans, while the Rockford came into Place Bell on a three-game losing streak.

It was a rare matchup between the two interconference teams with the last time being on December 17, 2019.

Coach Jean-Francois Houle made no changes to the lineup. Cayden Primeau got the start for the sixth consecutive match. In Friday’s 4-3 overtime win, Primeau made 21 saves.

First Period

Primeau was tested early on in the game when Mitchell Stephens turned the puck over in the neutral zone and it resulted in a breakaway for Hunter Drew. The goalie made a key save.

Rockford got on the board midway through the period when Andy Welinski‘s shot from the point was redirected in front of the crease by Pavel Gogolev and passed Primeau.

The IceHogs had one power play opportunity and were not able to generate any quality chances. Laval’s penalty kill units did a good job keeping the puck out of their zone.

The majority of the period was spent in Rockford’s zone. Laval had several opportunities but failed to get any behind Arvid Soderblom. Rockford’s goalie made several key stops to preserve the 1-0 lead through 20 minutes.

Second Period

Laval continued controlling the play in the second period. They used their speed to maintain possession in the offensive zone and it led to Rockford taking several penalties.

The Rocket got three consecutive power plays with Buddy Robinson taking back to back infractions. Laval took seven shots during the six minutes, in addition to several quality chances but Soderblom multiplied saves.

Madison Bowey got called for hooking but Rockford’s power play did not generate any dangerous chances.

The Rocket had one more power play before the end of the period and contrary to the previous opportunities, the execution was difficult.

Similar to the first period, Laval outshot Rockford 13-4 in the middle frame.

Third Period

Rockford started with an early power play when Bowey received a cross-checking minor in the first minute. During the two minutes, the IceHogs had control of the puck for the first time in the game but were not able to capitalize.

Later in the period, Rockford got a second power play opportunity of the period and they bombarded Primeau with six shots on goal. As the penalty expired, former Canadiens prospect Cam Hillis hit the post to the right side of the goalie.

Houle was aggressive in pulling Primeau for the extra attacker with 3:30 remaining in regulation. The Rocket continued to fire away but Soderblom stopped everything heading in his direction.

In the final minute, for a second consecutive night Stephens scored a clutch goal to force overtime. Stephens’ goal extended his point streak to five and Nicolas Beaudin‘s assist extended his streak to four games.

The Rocket drew a penalty in overtime for a second consecutive match, but contrary to Friday, they weren’t able to seal the victory.

A shootout was needed to determine the winner and former Rocket Morgan Adams-Moisan gave Rockford the victory in the 11th round.

What’s Next?

Laval concludes the week with five points out of the possible six. They will have Sunday and Monday off before ending their homestand on Wednesday when the Belleville Senators visit Place Bell.

Be sure to scroll down for audio clips from tonight’s post-game media interviews with Beaudin, Simoneau, Condotta and Houle, conducted by the AHL Report and other members of the press.

Plus / Minus

▲ Cayden Primeau, Lucas Condotta, Pierrick Dube

▼ Madison Bowey, Peter Abbandonato