Rocket Lineup

Rafael Harvey-Pinard – Ryan Poehling – Jesse Ylonen

Kevin Roy – Jean-Sebastien Dea – Gabriel Bourque

Michael Pezzetta – Lukas Vejdemo – Danick Martel

Brandon Baddock – Laurent Dauphin – Jean-Christophe Beaudin

Xavier Ouellet – Louie Belpedio

Fairbrother – Schueneman

Bisson – Dello

Cayden Primeau – Michael McNiven

Cameron Hillis, Brandon Gignac, Alexandre Fortin, Terrance Amorosa, Carl Neill

Joel Teasdale (surgery), Josh Brook (surgery)

Game Report

Game Report written by Chris G

The Rocket returned to action at Place Bell for the first time since March 11th 2020, in front of 8,609 fans. On Friday, Belleville was in town for the first of a home-and-home series this weekend. The Senators were victorious 5-3 in a pre-season match against the Rocket on October 8th. 

Prior to puck drop, Laval announced that Xavier Ouellet will remain the team’s captain. The alternate captains are Corey Schueneman, Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Gabriel Bourque, and Ryan Poehling. 

The Canadiens’ final cut from NHL training camp, Poehling centered a line with Harvey-Pinard and Jesse Ylonen on his wings. Cayden Primeau got the call in goal.

First Period

The Senators opened the scoring 9:20 into the match, after Bourque lost a battle on the boards. Matthew Wedman picked up the puck and beat Primeau blocker side with a shot from the point. 

It took Laval more than 11 minutes of action before taking their first shot on Belleville’s Mads Sogaard. Bourque’s point shot was a routine stop, but the goaltender made a key stop on Poehling from the crease on the same sequence.

Michael Pezzetta scored the Rocket’s first goal of the 2021-22 season after picking up a loose puck in the crease. Jean-Christophe Beaudin and Tobie Paquette-Bisson were credited with the assists.

Second Period

The Rocket outplayed the Senators in the middle frame. It began 38 seconds into the period, when Lukas Vejdemo capitalized on Sogaard being out of position to net the puck for a shorthanded goal.  

Philippe Daoust tied the score, before the Sens allowed three unanswered goals to the Rocket. It took Danick Martel 15 seconds after the Senators goal to capitalize on a loose puck in the crease to give Laval the lead. 

Jean-Sebastien Dea beat Sogaard after Dauphin drove to the net. The puck ended up on Dea’s stick in the slot, and he didn’t waste the opportunity.

Beaudin chased Sogaard from the match as he beat the goalie between the legs to give Laval a three-goal lead through 40 minutes.

Third Period

Laval came out strong to start the third period. On the first shift, Harvey-Pinard found Poehling behind Belleville’s defence and he beat Kevin Mandolese glove side. Paquette-Bisson was credited with the second assist on the goal, scored just nine seconds after the period began. 

The Rocket didn’t capitalize on their two power plays in the period, while the Senators were shut down on their single man advantage of the frame. Both teams played a tight defensive period, totaling five shots on goal. The crowd at Place Bell was very loud cheering the home team.

What’s Next?

Jean-Francois Houle recorded his first victory as the head coach of the Rocket. Laval outshot their opponents 23-19, and killed five of six penalty situations. 

The Rocket head to Belleville after the game for a rematch on Saturday night at 7:00pm eastern time at CAA Arena.

Be sure to scroll down to hear post-game interviews with Beaudin, Pezzetta, Martel, and Houle by the AHL Report team and other members of the media.

Plus / Minus

▲ Ryan Poehling, Jean-Christophe Beaudin, Jean-Sebastien Dea, Michael Pezzetta, Tobie Paquette-Bisson, Lukas Vejdemo, Laurent Dauphin

▼ Gabriel Bourque