Laval Rocket Weekend Recap: Standing Strong in the North
The weekend for the Laval Rocket didn’t go as planned in terms of results, but they were able to walk away from most of the games with some points.
After three games played this weekend, the Laval Rocket have a record of 4-2-1. The team only managed to get a single win, but three out of a possible six points isn’t too bad in the long run. Laval remains a top three team in the North Division which is the only thing that matters.
It looks like Michael McCarron and Nikita Scherbak have played well enough to warrant attention from management as both were recalled Sunday. Their NHL experience could also be a main reason for this, but seeing their teammates get noticed could further motivate the rest of the group to continue to play well.
Game 1
Friday’s game against the Penguins was probably the most exciting even though Laval lost 6-5. The goals went back and forth between the two teams after Tom Parisi made it 2-1 with his first of the season. David Broll and Eric Gelinas scored their first goals of the season as well.
Laval had the lead going into the third period after McCarron and Scherbak combined for a nice play near the end of the second.
MANGO UNCHAINED!
— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) October 21, 2017
Scherbak dangles the Penguins D and sets up McCarron for the go-ahead goal pic.twitter.com/cSALrrPNOL
Unfortunately, Daniel Sprong completed his hat trick (he scored his first two in the opening period). There was still another nine minutes left to play as neither team got the deciding goal. Overtime didn’t go in Laval’s favour as Teddy Blueger got the win halfway through.
Charlie Lindgren had a better showing than last weekend, but still gave up six goals in the loss.
Game Two
Laval was looking for a bounce back game after the loss the night before. Zachary Fucale was given the nod for his first start of the season.
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Parisi continued his offensive surge against the Birdgeport Sound Tigers. You could say that it was a Parisi-styled goal sandwich as he had the first and last goals of the game.
Laval kept up the offence after the initial goal converting on both the power play via Daniel Audette, and Kyle Baun who had his first of the season. The team let up in the second and allowed Bridgeport to get back in the game in the firist five minutes. Luckily, Laval pushed back as Daniel Carr would get the eventual game winning goal off the rebound.
Fucale made 27 stops in the team’s 6-3 win.
Game Three
The Laval Rocket lost some offensive options as McCarron and Scherbak were scratches.
Related Story: Habs Recall Scherbak and McCarron
It was a new top line against the Providence Bears with Peter Holland, Chris Terry and Audette. Terry kept the team from getting shutout in the third period, but Providence never lost the 3-0 they established early in the game.
Lindgren returned to action and gave Laval a chance to win but couldn’t get any goal support. The top line was buzzing as both Holland and Terry led the team in shots with five a piece. On the more negative side, they were also on the ice for the three goals against.
Whether it was because it was the Laval Rocket’s third game in as many nights or not enough time to generate new line chemistry, the team didn’t look anywhere close to it’s best. The game may have been worse if Lindgren didn’t play as well as he did. The final score was 4-1 after the Bears scored an empty-netter.
Laval has two days before their Wednesday game against the Rochester Americans. That will be plenty of time to rest and be ready to get back in the win column.