Laval Rocket 2019-20

[NWTHabsFan]

Laval cobbled together a lineup for last night's tilt against Rockford (Chicago's farm team). They came out of the gates full of P&V, got off to a 2-0 lead, and then slowly saw that lead disappear and lost 3-2 in the shootout. They ran out of gas in the third and Kinkaid kept them in the game. He only gave up one goal in 5 shootout attempts, but the Rocket failed to score on any of their 5 attempts. Goals by Hudon (on the PP) and Alain. Really nice play and pass by Josh Brook on the Alain goal. Brook is starting to find his game again.

[seventeen]

I have high hopes for Brook. Still. Not losing faith. Then again, I wanted no part of Duclair, either.

[NWTHabsFan]

Really bad injury news continues for Laval. Belzile is their top forward and Hudon has been their top scorer in his absence. At least Hudon should return. Yikes.

[NWTHabsFan]

This is a very telling graphic. A lot of ECHL guys holding down the fort in Laval right now.

[NWTHabsFan]

On Friday night, Laval’s last game before the break against Utica was nothing if not interesting. Back and forth, with the game tied midway through the third. McCarron with a good game so far with a goal and an assist. Then a scrum ensues, and he loses it. Spears a guy a few times. Gets the expected major and game misconduct. Then gets pissed at an official and smashes his stick in their general direction. Supplementary discipline is likely. Utica then win it thanks to that penalty and another that put them up by two men.

Bouchard did not mince words after the game and laid the loss squarely on McCarron’s broad shoulders.

[NWTHabsFan]

Laval split a pair against the Marlies this weekend. They lost 3-2 on Friday night in a hard fought battle. Kinkaid started, but was replaced in the third after suffering cramps.

Primeau got the start last night. He was building off a good third period the night before, as he has given up a lot of goals lately. Well, he was very solid in a big 5-1 win against a key divisional rival that they are chasing. Goals by Hudon (2), Ouellet, Evans (who also had two assists), Cuddemi (on a PTO - his first AHL goal), and Veilleux (who has scored in each of his 3 games since being signed to a PTO).

[NWTHabsFan]

Belleville Sens have caused Laval fits this year, with three wins against them (one in OT). Laval with Kincaid in net got off to a great 3-0 start and dominated most of the game. Then the kryptonite struck again, with Belleville tying it late in the third. Both of the last two goals were with the goalie pulled, including the last 6 on 4 as Laval also had a guy in the box. Kinkaid made 27 of 30 saves, but was a perfect 3 for 3 in the shootout, where Weise won it for the boys. Goals by Ouellet, Hudon, and Evans. Evans also added two helpers for his second straight three points game.

In other Laval news, they called up McNiven who has been lights out in the ECHL. Either they are rotating three guys, or..........

[folatre]

God help this organization if management trades Primeau.

[NWTHabsFan]

It looks like the McNiven call up is just to find him an ECHL home where he can get games in. This is what not having an official ECHL affiliation does to you, no idea why they have not resolved this (especially given the gong show going on in Trois-Rivieres right now).

[NWTHabsFan]

Laval get Riley Barber back. Much needed offensive depth. He had used up all his waiver exempt games, but he likely would have cleared. But, this team seems to be trying not to lose guys for nothing on waivers after losing several over the last while.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

[Cranky]

Yeah, Evans has 7 points in 3 games, so time to call him up and play next to the formidable Cousins/Weal/Weise.

[NWTHabsFan]

4-0 Laval over really bad Phantoms. Primeau with the shutout. Evans GWG. Hudon goal. Ouellet 1+1. Barber two apples. McCarron with an assist. McEneny with the other goal.

[NWTHabsFan]

The Rocket wore jerseys last night that are a bit of a throwback to the Voyageurs days. Good looking jerseys.

Hudon’s Blast from last night. If only he could do this in the NHL. Charles is off to the All Star Game as the Laval representative.

[NWTHabsFan]

Laval beat division rival Syracuse 3-2 in regulation last night, so a key win. McCarron had two assists and was named the first star. Kincaid was solid and was the second star as the Crunch heavily outshot Laval. Goals by captain Ouellet (who has a goal in his last four games) and PTOs Veilleux and Cuddemi, both of whom have been really solid since joining Laval.

[NWTHabsFan]

Another one bites the dust. Not a key player, but a depth player nevertheless. Everyone counts at this point with a pretty full infirmary.

[blny]

Looks like McCarron may be on the move.

[NWTHabsFan]

The Rocket should be seeing some reinforcements once they take to the ice again this weekend. Folin and Vejdemo have been sent down. Veteran all star forward Varone looks ready to return on Friday and is practicing on the top line and PP unit. New additions Dauphin (McCarron trade) and Sturtz (Reilly trade) are also new adds to the team.

[NWTHabsFan]

Huge weekend for the Rocket. Three games in three nights, as they are right back in the hunt for a playoff spot after four straight wins heading into last night’s tilt against the Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay).

Primeau in net, but he gave up five goals....bad news. Rocket with some replacements scored seven goals...better news. Make it five wins in a row after the crazy 7-5 defensive nightmare game. Ex-Hab Condon came in relief for the Crunch, but the Rocket lit him up too. Goals by Hudon (2), Barber, Alain, Lynch and the dynamic offensive duo of Alzner and Folin (yup, miracles do happen). They actually were not on the same pairing, but it is quite the circumstance that sees both those guys score in the same game, let alone same season!

[drkcloud]

Has anyone heard a recent update in Juulsen? Is this kid finished?

[NWTHabsFan]

Jan 11, 2020 19:46:08 GMT -5 drkcloud said:

Has anyone heard a recent update in Juulsen? Is this kid finished?

Absolute silence on this front for a while.

[NWTHabsFan]

Well, the Rocket's three-in-three weekend started off great, and fell off the tracks for the last two games.

On Saturday, they fell to a pretty weak Lehigh Valley team 2-0. Kinkaid was in net and by all accounts it was a very lethargic effort after their 7 goal outburst the night before.

On Sunday, after moving to Bridgeport, Primeau got off to a terrible start allowing 3 goals on the first five he faced. That was all, as Bouchard yanked him and put Kinkaid in to finish the game. The Rocket had dug themselves too deep a hole it would turn out, as they outscored the Sound Tigers 4-3 the rest of the way (the last goal was an empty netter) but still came up short 6-4. Another game they likely should have won on paper. Given the tight division they are in, every point is pretty critical in the fight for one of the elusive four playoff spots. Laval are close, but those two losses hurt. Goals by Alain, Varone, Dauphin and Barber.

[NWTHabsFan]

Peca back with the Rocket. Had to make room for Armia.

[NWTHabsFan]

Jan 11, 2020 19:46:08 GMT -5 drkcloud said:

Has anyone heard a recent update in Juulsen? Is this kid finished?

Finally, some news. Also seems positive that he is making progress, but they are purposely not rushing things.

[blny]

Jan 16, 2020 13:10:20 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Jan 11, 2020 19:46:08 GMT -5 drkcloud said:

Has anyone heard a recent update in Juulsen? Is this kid finished?

Finally, some news. Also seems positive that he is making progress, but they are purposely not rushing things.

Hoping for the best for him. Whether that means he retires, or not. If he can manage to come back, and pickup where he left off, that's great for him and us. He, Fleury, and Brook would be a dynamic right side down the road.

[NWTHabsFan]

Laval in the Peg for a duo of games against the Moose. First blood Laval. 3-0. Primeau shutout, goals by Hudon (his 19th), Jevpalovs and Barber. They outshot da Moose 36-17.

[NWTHabsFan]

Laval cannot win the rematch against the Moose. 5-1 Winnipeg. Kinkaid with 5 goals on 23 shots. Not good. Brook with the only Rocket goal.

Kinkaid is looking more and more like he is done. They should have McNiven getting AHL starts instead. Kinkaid has the fourth lowest save percentage of any AHL goalie with at least nine starts (he is approx. .880 sv%).

[folatre]

Yeah, it is unfortunate because Kinkaid seems like a really good guy. But at this stage with him not finding his game in Laval and the Habs not really in the playoff hunt, it would make a lot of sense to prioritize McNiven and Primeau. Lindgren can backup Price the remainder of the season.

Juulsen's situation is worrisome. He has not played in almost two months and this is on the heels of having played relatively little hockey since turning pro and the reality is that those are prime development years. Nevertheless, if the kid feels strongly about continuing and the doctors clear him, then I would assume that management would extend him a qualifying offer (one year two-way contract) in the summer.

[Willie Dog]

Evan's with a cannon in OT to beat the Crunch... great pass from Hudon on the 2 on 1

[NWTHabsFan]

Jan 22, 2020 21:40:55 GMT -5 Willie Dog said:

Evan's with a cannon in OT to beat the Crunch... great pass from Hudon on the 2 on 1

Yup, huge 3-2 OT win against a divisional opponent. Rocket edge into fourth in their division. Other goals from the Vees: Vejdemo and Varone. Primeau with the 21 save (on 23 shots) win.