Coming off a Wednesday night win, the Laval Rocket rolled into a Friday match with the Rochester Americans with not only a renewed sense of confidence, but also a renewed lineup as well. The defence received a much-needed boost with not only Marc Del Gaizo returning from the NHL, but both David Reinbacher and William Trudeau being healthy after being injured in the pre-season. While Trudeau did not suit up after clearing waivers, Reinbacher was thrown right into the fray alongside Adam Engström on the top pair.
Also returning to the lineup was Joshua Roy, slotting into the second line with Owen Beck and Filip Mešár, which bumped Luke Tuch down to the fourth line. Josiah Didier and Tobie Bisson formed the second defensive pair for the Rocket, while Kaapo Kähkönen got the start in net.
Rochester and Laval traded a few looks in the opening five minutes with Mešár and Sean Farrell each testing Devon Levi from relatively close range, but the Amerks defence cleared away the rebounds before any Rocket player could get a stick on them.
It was an apparent first game back for Reinbacher as Noah Ostlund pivoted quickly around him and drew a hooking penalty. Laval’s penalty-killers did well to keep the Rochester attack to the low-danger areas and allow Reinbacher to escape the box with the game still scoreless in the first period.
The two sides continued to trade chances, with the divisional rivals battling for every inch of ice in the offensive zone, leaving scoring chances at a minimum. However, the quick skating of Engström in his own zone forced Brendan Warren to interfere in an attempt to prevent an odd-man rush, leading to the first Rocket power play of the night. Much like the Rochester power play earlier, the chances were hard to come by and the Rocket were unable to break the early deadlock.
As Warren exited the box he was able to collect the clearing pass from his teammates, breaking in alone on Kähkönen, then clanging his shot off the crossbar behind the Rocket netminder. Laval pushed back instantly with Lucas Condotta also firing a shot off the goalpost from point-blank range. The period however, came to an end with Rochester holding a 10-8 shot advantage and the game still looking for its first goal.
The chances flew quickly and often in the second period, with Engström nearly sneaking a shot through Levi just 19 seconds into the period. The Americans responded by forcing Kähkönen into a lunging pad save on Noah Ostlund. Going back the other way it was Levi robbing Condotta of a goal after a Jared Davidson rebound bounced into the slot. While it seemed like a goal was coming for the Rocket, a too many men on the ice call instead put them back on the penalty kill.
While Rochester’s top unit had a strong first shift, the Rocket penalty-killers again proved to be too strong as they killed off their second penalty of the night, allowing just two total shots. Even the following shift the Rocket survived a strong Amerks push, with the top line eventually breaking the siege and Alex Belzile whistling a shot just off the crossbar behind Levi and out of play.
Despite a quick start, the period slowed down rapidly as it passed over the midway point, but a Rochester penalty gave the Rocket another chance to break the game open. Laval’s power play also struggled to break down the penalty kill as the man advantage came to an end, leaving a hard-fought contest still without a goal.
The good news is that the team wouldn’t have to wait long for a third try as Konsta Helenius was busted for holding the stick of Bisson. Laval’s power play continued a frustrating night as it again failed to find a hole in the defensive formation. Back at even strength however, they took the fight right back to their divisional rivals for the remainder of the period, with Levi again being a difference-maker as the second period ended scoreless still.
Period three kicked off with Davidson being called for holding inside the offensive zone, giving Rochester an early power play. In the opening minute it was all about Kähkönen as he denied both Noah Ostlund and Konsta Helenius in rapid succession, then fought off a scramble right in his crease as the penalty expired.
The Rocket quickly transitioned play the other way with Condotta creating a partial break and forcing Levi to stretch out for a save. Levi left a rebound that Davidson jumped all over and tapped a backhand chance home to finally put a goal up on the scoreboard.
Rochester immediately began its own counter looking to find a tying goal, but at every turn the Rocket had a quick clear or a break the other way that kept them on their heels. Eventually the Rocket’s pressure led to a Tuch breakaway chance, forcing the Amerks to take another penalty to slow him down and putting the power play out for a fourth attempt.
Laval’s advantage didn’t last all that long, with Belzile being called for hooking, shifting the game to four-on-four and opening up plenty of space for both offences. Rochester took full advantage off the draw as they refused to give the puck back to the Rocket and before long it paid off. Ryan Johnson circled at the point before loading up and wiring a shot by the ear of Kähkönen and tying the game with just over 10 minutes left to play.
The abbreviated Rochester power play following Johnson’s goal didn’t yield anything else for the Americans, but the Rocket were playing heavily on their back foot as the end of regulation was looming, while their opponent was brimming with confidence. The Rocket did finally manage some attack, with Levi sprawling across to deny both Laurent Dauphin and Farrell. On the same shift Rochester went the other way, with Kähkönen also diving across his crease to deny a chance by Ostlund in close.
The Rocket soon found themselves in an even more difficult spot with three-and-a-half minutes left to play. Trevor Kuntar broke in down the wing, leaving the defenceman behind him and forcing Engström into no man’s land to try to make a play. Kuntar opted for the shot and beat Kähkönen low, far-side to put Rochester up 2-1.
Rochester, perhaps feeling nervous or maybe generous, took a penalty with 2:27 left on the clock and handed Laval their biggest power play of the game. Right off the opening draw, Dauphin took a blatant stick to the face, which went uncalled, while Levi got a very early whistle on a loose puck, wiping out a Davidson tying goal. From that point it was just Levi doing what he often does to AHL teams, shutting the door on the Rocket power play while keeping the one-goal lead intact.
With just 28 seconds left, the Rocket emptied their net and made one last push to find a tying goal. They got just one clean look before an errant pass left the zone and handed Rochester an easy final few seconds as the Rocket saw their two-game winning streak end.
Final Score: Rochester 2, Laval 1
Laval will have less than a day to lick their wounds after the loss, as the Amerks will be back for a Saturday afternoon rematch. Puck drop is set for 3 PM ET.