#Rocketvs #Penguinsrecap #highlights
#highlights #laval #rocket
The reinforcements all have an effect as Rocket stays on the playoff hunt. Listen to this article 423 1× Another night, another “biggest game of year” for Laval Rocket, who beat the ice against Wilkes-BarreScranton Penguins. With the Penguins already out of the postseason pursuit, Rocket had to keep winning games to keep his playoff dreams alive. The Rocket has been largely restocked, with Habs returning Jesse Ylönen, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, Cayden Primeau and Corey Schueneman for the competition. Primeau nodded at the net, while Ylönen took the top spot opposite Emil Heineman. On the second line, Harvey-Pinard took his place with Anthony Richard and Mitchell Stephens. Laval immediately took advantage of an early Penguins penalty and took the lead in just two and a half minutes into the first period. In the second second of this advantage, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard picked up a loose puck and passed Dustin Tokarski. The rocket continued to flank the Penguins, drawing another power play from the effort. They almost doubled the lead their second advantage, but Tokarski was good form and cleared a loose puck his line to keep Rocket ahead a goal. In a broken game, Emil Heineman walked unopposed to puck in the slot, forcing former Habs goalkeeper to an incredible save. The penguins were brought back life thanks their goalkeeper, forcing the Primeau and Rocket defenses stay alert keep them out. Rocket was content to extend the Penguins’ defences into their weird-guy attack with long passes, while Pens opted for a heavier looping offense as the term progressed. While visitors held the puck a little longer at halftime, Rocket had most dangerous looks and lead. After an opening barrage back-to-back shifts to open the second period, Rocket found themselves in a tough spot when they had to kill a pair of minors with Tory Dello the penalty area. In bold, calm showdown, the Rocket criminal s battled to a hungry Penguins advantage, which was closed when Mattias Norlinder threw himself in front of shot to keep the lead intact. After a series of Primeau saves at Jamie Devane, grappling with the Penguins, Rocket was called back on penalty kicks soon after, when Rocket took an extra minor for the rowdy. The penalty kill was sharp again to keep penguins from finding back of net, and Rocket escaped by taking lead halfway through. From then on, it was all about Primeau as he saved a few big pads to keep Penguins off the board, and none bigger than he did to finish second period. At same time, officials slapping Norlinder in the face with high club hit Schueneman with a hold call, meaning Rocket was given kill sentence to start third period. Starting the third quarter with a penalty kill didn’t come as a surprise to Rocket or Primeau as they sent another Penguins power play and tried to quickly boost their lead. Luck was running, but Tokarski remained stingy in the Penguins’ net. Seconds to another Rocket advantage, the Penguins took another penalty, giving Laval almost two minutes of five-to-three power plays. Rocket capitalized on this advantage. As the penguins struggled, Anthony Richard pinned Jesse Ylönen and Finn did not miss. A two-goal lead gave Rocket a small cushion, but they continued to push for more goals to provide some comfort in the final minutes of the third quarter. Without the watch, the Penguins were throwing everything at Rocket, but Primeau couldn’t move. With just under five minutes left, Jagger Joshua gave Laval a chance land the dagger blow as he made his way to the box board William Trudeau. Laval buzzed, but Tokarski remained a formidable foe on the net and robbed Norlinder on duty after Heineman’s excellent seam pass. However, Laval was not to be denied as Xavier Simoneau swung around opponents, finding Gabriel Bourque in the void, making lead three. Danick Martel stabbed knife a little deeper as he threw it into the empty net goal before being smashed into bottom boards by Samuel Houde in an ugly-looking game. Final Score Laval 4, Wilkes-BarreScranton 0 Rocket continues to do everything they can to secure the final North Division playoff spot. With Cleveland’s win over Grand Rapids, Laval is fifth on points and sixth, taking into account the Monsters’ remaining play, while standings remain the same as Saturday night. Next up for Rocket on Wednesday is a crucial showdown with the Toronto Marlies, who took first place at Place Bell. The Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm and Rocket will likely lack some stars tonight as the Canadians need some bodies for their game that same night.
