For the second consecutive game, the Laval Rocket defeated the Utica Comets in a shootout.
For the second consecutive game, the Laval Rocket defeated the Utica Comets in a shootout.
GAME RECAP | Laval Rocket vs Utica Comets
Rocket Lineup
Forward lines
28 Lias Andersson - 37 Brandon Gignac - 15 Sean Farrell
81 Xavier Simoneau - 61 Philippe Maillet - 10 Joshua Roy
49 Jared Davidson - 42 Lucas Condotta - 20 Gabriel Bourque
21 Riley Kidney - 14 Jan Mysak - 68 Riley McKay
Defense pairings
72 Arber Xhekaj - 24 Logan Mailloux
84 William Trudeau - 4 Paquette-Bisson
29 Mattias Norlinder - 25 Brady Keeper
Goaltenders
73 Kasimir Kaskisuo
38 Strauss Mann
Out of the lineup:
Scratches: Olivier Galipeau, Nicolas Beaudin, Nathan Legare, Nolan Yaremko, Jakub Dobes
Injuries: None
Game Report
After an exciting shootout victory in Utica on Friday night, the Laval Rocket looked to continue their winning ways with a rematch against the Comets on Sunday afternoon.
Riley Kidney rejoined the team after recovering from an illness, and made his way back into the lineup in place of Nolan Yaremko. In addition, Kasimir Kaskisuo was the goaltender tapped to guard Laval's net.
The game started pretty quickly when Brandon Gignac lit the lamp just over two minutes after the opening faceoff. However, a penalty by Riley McKay put Utica on the power play and they once again managed to execute on the man-advantage.
Although the game remained tied at 1-1 for the remainder of the first period, there was plenty of other action to focus on. Multiple penalties on both sides made for some interesting power play opportunities, Riley McKay dropped the gloves for a rousing tilt, and two Laval players exited the ice with injuries. Both captain Gabriel Bourque and forward Sean Farrell did not return to the game.
Logan Mailloux restored Laval's lead early in the second period after Arber Xhekaj passed him the puck along the blue line and Mailloux blasted a shot from the point to beat Akira Schmid.
Then Utica began to turn things around when they scored back-to-back goals to gain their first lead of the game. The score was 3-2 for the Comets through two periods.
Midway through the third period, young Jared Davidson scored his second goal of the weekend when he fired a one-timer from the slot into the back of Utica's net to tie the game once more.
As on Friday night, this game went to a shootout, and once again the Laval Rocket nabbed both available points after Philippe Maillet and Gignac both scored against Schmid.
Game Statistics
Rocket (13-14-3-2)
Shots: 31
Power play: 0-for-3
Penalty minutes: 24
Comets (10-13-3-3)
Shots: 39
Power play: 1-for-6
Penalty minutes: 20
Scoring Summary
Rocket Scorers
1st period: Gignac (11)
2nd period: Mailloux (6)
3rd period: Davidson (4)
OT: No scoring
SO: Maillet, Gignac
Comets Scorers
1st period: Gambardella (3)-PPG
2nd period: Laberge (4), Schmelzer (7)
3rd period: No scoring
OT: No scoring
SO: No scoring
Goaltenders
LAV: Kaskisuo (W) 2-0-0-0
UTC: Schmid (L) 0-1-3-0
Rocket Players of the Game
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Video Highlights
Video highlights courtesy of the Utica Comets
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xppwbAu4_c[/embed]
Looking Back
Did you miss the Rocket's last game? Catch up on the recap here: Two Big Points In The Shootout | RECAP: LAV @ UTC
Up Next
The Laval Rocket return to Quebec to prepare for their midweek game against the...Utica Comets. Yes, that will be their third consecutive game against the New Jersey Devils' AHL affiliate!
Puck drop on Wednesday, January 10, is scheduled for 7:00 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.
