Rocket Gaining Momentum | Laval Week In Review
The Laval Rocket are inching their way out of the bottom of the AHL's standings, and Arber Xhekaj is starting to really settle in.
After dropping last Thursday's road game against the Belleville Senators 4-1, things could have slid quickly back downhill for the Laval Rocket when they hosted the Syracuse Crunch for two games over the weekend. The team has struggled to find consistent ways to win all season long, and Joel Bouchard's team has proven to be a formidable opponent.
Instead, Laval dug deep and managed to pick up back-to-back wins in front two sold-out home crowds, propelling them up to sixth place in the North Division and finally out of the bottom spot.
Assisting the team in their success were two distinct players: new goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo and defenseman Arber Xhekaj. Kaskisuo was victorious in his season opener on Friday night, providing a calm, confident presence in between the pipes.
Xhekaj put up a goal and three assists in three games played last week, and notched his first career AHL fight while he was at it. The young blueliner looked much more relaxed and comfortable on the ice, and seems to be embracing the challenge in front of him to get back to the NHL.
Now that January has arrived, the AHL All-Star Classic is just a few weeks away, and recently the league announced the four coaches who will take the helm of the Eastern and Western Conference teams during the festivities.
On my latest episode of Rocket Hockey Report, you can hear more details and analysis of the Laval Rocket's three games last week, get an update on Habs prospects in the AHL, and hear my full interview with guest Patrick Williams regarding the AHL All-Star game. Simply click to watch the video below, or follow this link to watch on YouTube: Is Laval Poised For A Comeback? PLUS Xhekaj Success + AHL All-Star News!
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czjVCyhlt-Q[/embed]
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.
