Laval Rocket visit Toronto Marlies for final February game

Pascal Vincent and the Laval Rocket wrap up their schedule for February with a match-up against the Toronto Marlies from their home barn (Coca-Cola Coliseum) on Wednesday morning.

The games is set for a 11 a.m. start, very rare indeed, but that shouldn't matter much to the players. Laval is looking to pad their place in the North Division standings (second overall). The Marlies (63 points) meanwhile are nipping at Laval's heels (67 points), and trying to gain some ground down the stretch.

It's the Canadiens and the Maple Leafs, but don't tell the Rocket or Marlies that. With the playoffs fast approaching every point is so much more important to each team. Laval is young and hungry, and not going to take easy to being pushed around, and the Marlies. Toronto's average age, according to Eliteprospects is 25.04 years old, and the Rocket are 24.43 years old.

Neither team is very old, but both with high aspirations to go deep in the Calder Cup playoffs. Alex Steeves is the Marlies point leader (46 in 40 games), and Laval's leader, Alex Barrè-Boulet has 40 points in 43 games. Neither are leading the lead in scoring, but provide crucial offence for their respective squads.

Onto the game

Riley Kidney opened the scoring early on the first shot of the game, at the 02:47 mark. Jakov Novak recorded his first assist of the season, in his first game with the Rocket this season. William Trudeau registered his 11th assist, which is his 14th point in his 47th game.

If every game could start like that it would be great, some fans were likely still not in their seats yet. Less than two minutes later, however, they were and the home team tied the game. Alex Nylander fired home his 19th goal of the year, unassisted at the 4:42 mark.

It's a quick start, with two goals on the board before the game is five minutes old. The Marlies' mentality to shoot the puck was on full display, dominating in that category. But the Rocket asserted themselves physically and made the Marlies answer in every scrum after a Cayden Primeau stop.

The period went nearly 13 minutes between goals, when Marlies forward Nick Abruzzese notched his 11th of the campaign. Nylander drew an assist, his second point of the game, and William Villeneuve grabbed the other assist. With just over three minutes to play, the Marlies have their first lead of the morning.

Alex Barré-Boulet drew the Rocket even with a late-period tally, scoring his 13th of the season. Sean Farrell continued his strong play of late, registering his 12th assist on the tally. Laurent Dauphin also drew his 16th assist of the year.

The second period has been more of the same, not much going on. Both teams are chippy between whistles and trying to draw penalties. All-in-all it has been a back-and-forth game, both team checking tight defensively.

Barré-Boulet was in the box for cross-checking, and he watched on as Laurent Dauphin fed Florian Xhekaj a nice feed. Xhekaj broke into the zone and fired a perfect shot past the Marlies goalie for his third shorthanded goal of the season. Xhekaj now has 15 goals this season, showing that his results in junior were no flash in the pan.

Aside from Barré-Boulet's penalty and Xhekaj's shorthanded goal, Robert Mastrosimone's hooking penalty was about all that happened in the middle frame through 18 minutes.

Laval has 20 minutes to go for the win, but the third period won't be a slice of cake.

The Rocket almost surrendered a goal at the beginning of the period, but on their ensuing rush, Xhekaj hit Farrell with a nice pass in stride. Farrell entered the zone and scored a nice goal to put Laval up by two. Xhekaj has been given more ice time, as a result of his great play - Vincent has taken notice.

With Laval up by two goals, the Marlies surrendered the next power play, taking a delay of game penalty. Villeneuve shot the puck over the glass. But Laval failed to score another to pad their lead.

Not to be outdone by fellow Canadiens top prospects, Joshua Roy scored a rather easy goal. His 17th goal of the season was assisted by Rafael Harvey-Pinard and Lucas Condotta.

Laval has flexed hard on the Marlies, and their physical play has overwhelmed and pushed their opponents back on their heels. The Rocket have been impressive, and Vincent's merit system has seen David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux playing often. Montreal's two highest hopes for the right defence have been solid today in all situations.

Dakota Mermis of the Marlies took a cross-checking penalty, and the Rocket are in an enviable position. Up by three goals, and an opportunity to pull ahead by four with two minutes at five on four. Reinbacher had a glorious one-timer opportunity served on a platter from Adam Engstrom, but he whiffed on the shot.

Mailloux took an interference penalty at 16:43, giving Toronto some life. Joseph Blandisi beat Primeau for his 11th of the year. Laval leads by two.

Even with a vacant net, Laval held the fort until the clock bled to 0:04. Abruzzese scored his 12th of the year, and second of the night.

Laval holds on for a 5-4 win.