Rocket Lineup

Matthew Peca – Lukas Vejdemo – Alex Belzile

Charles Hudon – Michael McCarron – Riley Barber

Alexandre Alain – Ryan Poehling – Kevin Lynch

Antoine Waked – Jake Evans – Joe Cox

Gustav Olofsson – Noah Juulsen

Otto Leskinen – Josh Brook

Karl Alzner – David Sklenicka

Charlie Lindgren – Cayden Primeau

Maxim Lamarche, Michael Pezzetta, Nikita Jevpalovs

William Pelletier (undisclosed), Phil Varone (wrist), Xavier Ouellet (lower body), Dale Weise (day-to-day)

Game Report

Game Report written by Chris G

It was the battle of the two hottest teams in the AHL at Place Bell on Friday night. Heading into the game, Laval hadn’t lost in regulation in their last eight games and Milwaukee had won their last five games. Both teams were in first place of their respective divisions. 

Earlier in the day, the team announced that Xavier Ouellet is expected to miss a minimum of two weeks due to a lower-body injury he sustained on Wednesday in the game against Belleville. David Sklenicka replaced him in the lineup after sitting out the last six games. 

The club also announced that Phil Varone underwent surgery on his right wrist, with a minimum six week recovery period. He suffered the injury on October 30th in a game against Hartford. 

Nikita Jevpalovs was given the night off by Joel Bouchard. Jevpalovs had recorded no points in his last five games and took two shots on goal during that stretch. Antoine Waked took his spot in the lineup after watching the last game from the press box. 

Charlie Lindgren got the start in goal for Laval. In his last start, Lindgren recorded his first shutout of the season by making 25 saves against Cleveland. 

Friday’s game was the first of a four-game road trip for Milwaukee and marked their first ever visit to Laval. The Admirals beat the Rocket 4-2 in Milwaukee on October 12th. 

Milwaukee didn’t waste any time as they opened scoring in the first minute of the game.  Karl Alzner wasn’t able to clear the puck out of the defensive zone, and seconds later the puck deflected off him before going in the net. 

Six seconds after Alex Belzile stepped out of the penalty box, Matt Donovan scored his first goal of the season with a back handed shot. Lindgren’s view was screened by an opponent as the puck crossed the red line. 

Riley Barber had his team’s most dangerous scoring chance of the period. During their first power play, Matthew Peca carried the puck from his own zone to the offensive zone and passed it to Barber who’s shot was inches wide. 

Laval was indisciplined in the second frame, taking four minor penalties, and the Admirals capitalized with two power play goals. The first goal with the extra attacker started when Sklenicka fanned on a pass attempt in the offensive zone that led to an odd man rush and Anthony Richard scored on a rebound. 

Milwaukee’s fourth goal of the game came from former Canadiens prospect Daniel Carr who scored from the right face-off circle on a one-timer pass by Colin Blackwell. 

The Rocket answered back with their own power play goal. Lukas Vejdemo capitalized on the rebound from Barber’s shot off the crossbar to score his fifth of the season. Vejdemo extended his point streak to five games. 

With 4:36 remaining in the period, Sklenicka’s turnover in the neutral zone led to a 2-on-1 counter attack and Rem Pitlick scored on a rebound. 

Laval had three power play opportunities including a double minor in the third period that led them to outshoot their opponents 16 to 5 in the frame. Charles Hudon scored during the team’s eighth power play of the game and he put the puck in the net with a one-timer from his favourite spot on the ice, the right face-off circle. Peca set up that goal with a pass through the crease. 

The Rocket finish their three-game home stand as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers visit Place Bell on Saturday at 4:00 pm Eastern Time. After tonight’s game, Bouchard confirmed that there will be changes made to the lineup.  

Listen to full audio of player and coach post-game interviews in the player below.

Plus / Minus

▲  Riley Barber, Noah Juulsen

▼  David Sklenicka, Karl Alzner, Jake Evans, Michael McCarron