The Laval Rocket are still embroiled in a bitter battle to make the playoffs, but they're getting short on opportunities to help themselves.
GAME RECAP | Syracuse Crunch: 3 vs Laval Rocket: 1 (FINAL)
Rocket Lineup
Forward lines
15 Sean Farrell - 37 Brandon Gignac - 19 Emil Heineman
28 Lias Andersson - 61 Philippe Maillet - 42 Lucas Condotta
20 Gabriel Bourque - 27 Mitchell Stephens - 12 Filip Cederqvist
68 Riley McKay - 21 Riley Kidney - 34 Jacob Perreault
Defense pairings
84 William Trudeau - 24 Logan Mailloux
29 Mattias Norlinder - 52 Justin Barron
4 Tobie Paquette-Bisson - 64 David Reinbacher
Goaltenders
71 Jakub Dobes
73 Kasimir Kaskiuo
Out of the lineup:
Scratches: Olivier Galipeau, Arnaud Durandeau, Strauss Mann
Injuries: Brady Keeper (lower body), Jared Davidson, Xavier Simoneau (shoulder)
Game Report
The Laval Rocket resumed their homestand on Friday with a 3-1 loss against the North Division leading Syracuse Crunch in front of a franchise record 10,307 fans at Place Bell.
Jean-Francois Houle made two changes to the lineup, inserting Riley McKay and Mattias Norlinder in the spots of Arnaud Durandeau and Olivier Galipeau.
The first period was played mostly in the neutral zone without many chances for both teams. It took five minutes of action before the first shot on goal was registered.
The Rocket opened the scoring during their second power play of the frame when Justin Barron's shot was blocked by a defender and the puck landed back on the blade of the Canadiens prospect and blasted the disc through traffic and across the goal line. It was Barron's first goal since February 2nd and his team's first power play goal in five games.
There was a lot more action in the second period and it started early in the frame as Jakub Dobes stopped a quality chance and then William Trudeau, Lias Andersson and Philippe Maillet each had a scoring opportunity in the first 90 seconds.
The Crunch tied the game when Tristan Allard freed himself from Maillet's coverage, skated towards the crease and took a backhander that hit Daniel Walcott before finding its way to the back of the net.
Syracuse added to their lead on the power play while David Reinbacher served a cross checking minor. Gage Concalves found Jack Finley behind Barron with a cross ice pass that Finley tapped in the net.
The Crunch dominated the majority of the second period and the first half of the third period, outshooting their opponents 19-0 in a stretch of 26 minutes.
Shawn Element sealed the win with an empty net with less than two minutes remaining.
The Rocket's offence has dried up with six goals in the last four games. The lack of production is costing important points in the team's hunt for a playoff spot. Houle's squad had a chance to tie it late in the game when they obtained a power play, and the unit took one shot on goal during the time. Laval's power play is now 1-for-17 in the last five games.
The Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate is holding on to fifth place in the North Division tied with the Belleville Senators, that have two games on hand.
New Video: Laval Rocket On Shaky Ground
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfAbKu5gC4w[/embed]
Game Statistics
Rocket (31-28-6-2)
Shots: 26
Power play: 1-for-6
Penalty minutes: 8
Crunch (38-22-4-2)
Shots: 34
Power play: 1-for-4
Penalty minutes: 12
Scoring Summary
Rocket Scorers
1st period: Barron (2)-PPG
2nd period: No scoring
3rd period: No scoring
OT: n/a
SO: n/a
Crunch Scorers
1st period: No scoring
2nd period: Walcott (15)
3rd period: Finley (11)-PPG, Element (9)-ENG
OT: n/a
SO: n/a
Goaltenders
LAV: Dobes (L) 22-16-6-1
SYR: Halverson (W) 6-2-0-1
Players of the Game
- undefined
Post-Game Interviews
Jean-Francois Houle
Justin Barron
Filip Cederqvist
William Trudeau
Looking Back
Did you miss the Rocket's last game? Catch up on the recap here: Slow Start Creates Trouble For Rocket | RECAP: BEL @ LAV
Up Next
The Rocket finish the five-game homestand by hosting the Springfield Thunderbirds.
Puck drop on Saturday, April 6th, is scheduled for 3:00 pm ET at Place Bell in Laval, QC.
Be sure to bookmark THN.com/Montreal for year-round coverage of the Montreal Canadiens, Laval Rocket, and Habs prospects playing in leagues around the world.
