Rocket Lineup

Joseph Blandisi – Ryan Poehling – Joel Teasdale

Yannick Veilleux – Jordan Weal – Cole Caufield

Jake Lucchini – Laurent Dauphin – Rafael Harvey-Pinard

Michael Pezzetta – Cameron Hillis – Hayden Verbeek

Corey Schueneman – Josh Brook

Tobie Paquette-Bisson – Gustav Olofsson

Jacob Leguerrier – Xavier Ouellet

Charlie Lindgren – Vasily Demchenko

Nathanael Halbert, Terrance Amorosa, Tristan Pomerleau, Liam Hawel, Brandon Baddock, Arsen Khisamutdinov

Alex Belzile (undisclosed), Lukas Vejdemo (undisclosed), Jan Mysak (undisclosed), Jesse Ylonen (undisclosed), Cale Fleury (undisclosed)

Game Report

Game Report written by Amy Johnson

Could the script have been written any better? Montreal was buzzing with anticipation on Friday, as the stage was set for Cole Caufield to make his professional hockey debut in Toronto against the Marlies. What kind of night would the young man have?

Well before he could even take the ice at Coca-Cola Coliseum for pre-game warmups, Caufield was announced as an NCAA First Team All-American, and was awarded the 2021 Hobey Baker Award. 

With that excitement in hand, Joel Bouchard iced a pretty familiar lineup, with Caufield coming into the lineup on Jordan Weal‘s line, and Charlie Lindgren guarding the net after being sent down from the taxi squad.

First Period

The game started with a very high tempo that was sustained for a good portion of the night. Joseph Blandisi had an excellent scoring chance early on when he dished the puck behind Joseph Woll, but it skimmed along the goal line and and out the other side. Lindgren was tested early, and delivered some very solid, timely saves.

Toronto lit the lamp first, however, when Kalle Kossila beat Caufield in the defensive zone and out-waited Lindgren, shooting the puck over him when the goaltender had committed to going down.

Second Period

Blandisi opened the middle frame with another excellent scoring opportunity, and was again denied by Woll. But when Kossila went to the box for high-sticking, Caufield found his opportunity and scored his first professional goal with a (you guessed it) one-timer from the circle.

Kenny Agostino answered with a goal of his own just about a minute later, when he found himself alone in the slot. Then the Laval sticks really woke up when Caufield got in close and tried to get the puck past Woll, but Xavier Ouellet picked up the rebound and put it in the net.

After that, Ryan Poehling scored his ninth goal of the season when he snapped a shot top corner to put the Rocket in the lead for the first time all night.

Third Period

Just 24 seconds into the third period, Agostino found the back of the net again when Lindgren got most of a quick shot, but the puck dropped on the doorstep and the Marlies forward banged it in.

Caufield, however, wasn’t done for the night and scored the game winner with an assist from Gustav Olofsson. Yannick Veilleux sealed the deal with an empty-netter.

What’s Next?

A three-point night, a game-winning goal, and a Hobey Baker award made up a pretty memorable night for young Caufield. But there were some learning lessons as well, and Bouchard says he’s already got video lined up to go over with his new forward tomorrow morning.

The Rocket take the ice in Toronto once again on Saturday afternoon to wrap up this quick two-game series.

Plus / Minus

▲  Cole Caufield, Gustav Olofsson, Ryan Poehling, Jordan Weal

▼  Cam Hillis, Michael Pezzetta