Rocket Lineup

Rafael Harvey-Pinard – Jean-Sebastien Dea – Jesse Ylonen

Gabriel Bourque – Peter Abbandonato – Joel Teasdale

Kevin Roy – Danick Martel – Shawn St. Amant

Alexandre Fortin – Cam Hillis – Devante Smith-Pelly

Xavier Ouellet – Louie Belpedio

Sami Niku – Tory Dello

Tobie Paquette-Bisson – Josh Brook

Cayden Primeau – Michael McNiven

Louis-Philip Guindon, Kevin Poulin, Terrance Amorosa, Justin Ducharme, Jean-Christophe Beaudin

Brandon Gignac (upper-body injury), Lukas Vejdemo (upper-body injury), Alex Belzile (lower-body injury), Gianni Fairbrother (upper-body injury)

Game Report

Game Report written by Chris G

The Rocket hit the ice on Saturday afternoon to host the Senators for the second game of the weekend series. On Friday, four different players scored in Laval’s 4-1 victory against Belleville. 

With no extra forwards and defensemen available for the game, it was no surprise that Jean-Francois Houle kept the same lineup for the rematch. Surprisingly, Cayden Primeau got the start in goal for a second game in less than 24 hours. On Friday, the team’s defence was solid in front of him and limited the Senators to 20 shots on goal. 

First Period

Coach Houle said after Friday’s game that a good start would be crucial to be successful against Belleville for a second time. The players followed through and applied pressure to their opponents from the first minute of play. 

Jean-Sebastien Dea and Joel Teasdale both obtained scoring chances that were denied by Senators goaltender Kevin Mandolese. 

Laval opened the scoring at the 7:02 mark when Devante Smith-Pelly made a brilliant pass to Tory Dello at the point. The defenceman used the open ice in front of him to get closer to the goal and score. 

The Senators came back in force in the final three minutes of the frame, but Primeau made key saves to allow his team to head into the break with a 1-0 lead. 

Second Period

The second period belonged to Belleville, but that didn’t stop Laval to increase their lead. At the 10:18 mark, Dello from his defensive zone found Smith-Pelly at the Senators blue line. The veteran brought the puck to the net and beat Mandolese on the blocker side. The goal was the forward’s second goal this weekend.  With an assist on that sequence, Sami Niku collected a sixth point in the last seven games.

Belleville continued peppering shots on Primeau outshooting Laval 17-5 in the second period. Primeau delivered big saves throughout the frame, that led to the fans chanting ‘Primeau’ in appreciation. 

The Senators inability to score led to frustration as the tempers increasing flared as the period progressed.

Third Period

A quick start for Laval in the third period as Rafael Harvey-Pinard scored 30 seconds after puck drop. The goal was scored as Harvey-Pinard beat Mandolese glove side on a shorthanded odd man rush with Xavier Ouellet. In the last four games, Harvey-Pinard has three goals and four assists. 

The Senators did not quit and continued pressing for the remainder of the game. Primeau was solid between the pipes, making several key saves. 

At 9:42 mark, Cole Reinhardt went around the defence and put the puck between the pads to get Belleville on the board. 

Roby Jarventie and Michael Del Zotto scored 32 seconds apart to tie the game and silence the 5,171 fans at Place Bell.

With 59 seconds remaining in regulation, Jesse Ylonen was called for a boarding penalty in the offensive zone. It took the Senators five seconds to deliver the final blow, as Jarventie scored his second of the match. 

What’s Next?

Saturday’s 4-3 loss snapped Laval’s home game win streak to nine games. Indiscipline has been a regular theme for the Rocket, and it cost them another two points. 

The Cleveland Monsters visit Place Bell on Monday at 7:30pm eastern. 

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

Plus / Minus

▲ Tory Dello, Devante Smith-Pelly, Alexandre Fortin, Sami Niku

▼ Peter Abbandonato, Jesse Ylonen, Josh Brook, Jean-Sebastien Dea