Laval Rocket / Trois-Rivières Lions 2023-24

[NWTHabsFan]

It may only be fleeting, but pretty cool for Roy “in the moment”. Hopefully this is a sign of his good transition to pro hockey. Not overhyping him, but he is off to a good start for a guy that many wondered if his game would translate to the pros. We shall see.

[NWTHabsFan]

Having a game for the ages. Two more in the third for Roy. Hat trick and five points so far. Bonkers

[NWTHabsFan]

Goal #2 is worthy! Nice feed by Farrell. Better hands by Roy.

Let the kid cook in Laval. He is doing just fine.

[folatre]

Roy got super committed to hockey after his draft year and it shows. I think the kid has always had a nice mix of skill and hockey savvy, so the added focus on training/prep may have been the missing ingredient. I know people (myself included) will now continue to hope he can nudge his skating up another notch. But honestly I am already coming around to the idea that this kid will be an effective middle six winger in the league even if his skating is just okay.

[NWTHabsFan]

Final score was 8-4. Laval with its first win of the season. 1-2-1. Dobeš with his first AHL win. Roy with five points. Armia with the empty netter to keep his little revitalization going. Andersson with a couple of points.

[NWTHabsFan]

Win for the Lions to open the season. I loved that old goal song, BTW.

[Willie Dog]

Oct 20, 2023 21:27:06 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Final score was 8-4. Laval with its first win of the season. 1-2-1. Dobeš with his first AHL win. Roy with five points. Armia with the empty netter to keep his little revitalization going. Andersson with a couple of points.

It would be nice if Burrows could watch this video to see how a PP works...

[NWTHabsFan]

A little player movement from Laval.

Armia recalled to the Habs. Mešár back to Kitchener in the OHL.

[NWTHabsFan]

An easy pick.

[NWTHabsFan]

Laval’s winning streak stops at one, as they just keep giving up too many goals. Last night they fell 5-4 but there were some positives on the game: two more goals for Andersson, two more assists for Roy, and Mailloux’s first pro goal.

[seventeen]

This team could be pretty good if they had a coach.

[Willie Dog]

Oct 22, 2023 13:26:56 GMT -5 seventeen said:

This team could be pretty good if they had a coach.

I am becoming less and less of a Houle fan coaching kids but if he runs the Rocket PP, then fire Burrows, bring Houle up to run the PP for the Habs and get a coach from the Q or promote a laval assistant. I watched their PP it is always in motion... the laval PP is at 20%... the Habs... 9.1%

[NWTHabsFan]

The preseason depth has disappeared due to a rash of injuries and sending Mešár back to juniors.

[seventeen]

Well, maybe if he actually played Mesar and brought him along,, they might have more depth. The other possibility with Mesar's demotion is precisely to get him out of Houle's hands where he just wouldn't get much ice time. Sure hope Kitchener has a more cohesive team this year.

[Cranky]

Oct 22, 2023 10:24:22 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Laval’s winning streak stops at one, as they just keep giving up too many goals. Last night they fell 5-4 but there were some positives on the game: two more goals for Andersson, two more assists for Roy, and Mailloux’s first pro goal.

One point in 5 games...why is ma'boy falling behind in expectations I have of him?

I wonder if he's getting "play defense first" drilled into his head? Early on he brought his OHL decision making game to the AHL and that has to be "adjusted" out of him.

[NWTHabsFan]

The extent of Bourque’s injury is now clear. Out 6-8 weeks without their captain.

[Cranky]

WHEN are we going to see Roy who is coring more then two points a game? Or does RHP have dirty pictures of the coaches?

[NWTHabsFan]

Oct 27, 2023 15:42:10 GMT -5 Cranky said:

WHEN are we going to see Roy who is coring more then two points a game? Or does RHP have dirty pictures of the coaches?

Let Roy continue to grow and dominate for a bit longer in the AHL. No need to rush, as his development path is going well. Andersson is the guy I would call up at forward if they needed an extra body up front. 7 goals in 6 games.

[NWTHabsFan]

Last night was “same old, same old” for Laval. Score some decent goals, but get undone by poor team defense and goaltending. Final score was 7-4 and they have now given up 32 goals in 6 games; and average of 5.33 gaa. Fully deserved 1-4-1 record and dead last in their division (most goals against in the league too).

Sweet goal by Norlinder.

Mailloux scores his second, both in back to back games now.

Andersson pots two more in the loss. 7 goals in 6 games. This one shows some quick hands in tight on the PP.

[seventeen]

Oct 28, 2023 12:30:48 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Last night was “same old, same old” for Laval. Score some decent goals, but get undone by poor team defense and goaltending.
Is it safe to say both Laval and Montreal are taking on the Marty's persona? I'll toss out Marty's time with Calgary and his last 2 years as his career was winding down (it wouldn't change the numbers much if I included them) and we find that MSL had a combined +27 over 972 career games (all with Tampa). that's an average of +2 for every season. At least it's positive, but for a guy who put up 953 points over those same 972 games, it's not impressive at all and suggests that he wasn't very good defensively.

Now, back to today, I know that some of the issues with both Laval and Montreal are goaltending and some inexperienced dmen. As I've noted, however, the defensive discipline in our zone is lacking and one wonders just how important that is to Marty. Does he plan on outscoring everyone? You don't win a Cup by out offensiving anyone (I made up that word).

I like a lot of things about MSL, but the defensive aspect of the team is not one of them, despite the inexperience. Maybe that's all it is and the kids just aren't focusing on it enough or have too much to take in at this time. Patience is needed, but this is a red flag that needs to be repainted green.

[Willie Dog]

Oct 28, 2023 12:48:37 GMT -5 seventeen said:

Oct 28, 2023 12:30:48 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Last night was “same old, same old” for Laval. Score some decent goals, but get undone by poor team defense and goaltending.
Is it safe to say both Laval and Montreal are taking on the Marty's persona? I'll toss out Marty's time with Calgary and his last 2 years as his career was winding down (it wouldn't change the numbers much if I included them) and we find that MSL had a combined +27 over 972 career games (all with Tampa). that's an average of +2 for every season. At least it's positive, but for a guy who put up 953 points over those same 972 games, it's not impressive at all and suggests that he wasn't very good defensively.

Now, back to today, I know that some of the issues with both Laval and Montreal are goaltending and some inexperienced dmen. As I've noted, however, the defensive discipline in our zone is lacking and one wonders just how important that is to Marty. Does he plan on outscoring everyone? You don't win a Cup by out offensiving anyone (I made up that word).

I like a lot of things about MSL, but the defensive aspect of the team is not one of them, despite the inexperience. Maybe that's all it is and the kids just aren't focusing on it enough or have too much to take in at this time. Patience is needed, but this is a red flag that needs to be repainted green.

This is exactly why I posted in another thread that we need a guy like Luke Richardson...

[NWTHabsFan]

Laval’s early season woes continue. They lost 5-0 on the road last night. The only good news is their atrocious goals against average per game actually improved from 5.33 to 5.28. Yes, that’s all I have 😔

[NWTHabsFan]

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Trois-Rivières Lions are off to a 4-0 start and sit atop their conference for now and only trail the KC team in the other conference that has a 5-0 record. The Lions play again today. Vrbetic has started 3 of 4 games and has played well by all accounts. It was a very disruptive off season with a new GM, head coach, and ownership group, but the team seems to be settling into playing some decent hockey. I believe TVA shows some of their games in Québec for those who get that channel. I don’t expect any of their players to ever carve out an NHL career, but there are a few that definitely are good enough for call ups to Laval.

[NWTHabsFan]

Well earned Josh!

[NWTHabsFan]

Another game, another loss for Houle’s hapless horde last night. 4-1 Utica with the one highlight being Struble’s first career AHL goal.

[NWTHabsFan]

It is a rare but fun night when the Rocket win these days, but it is especially sweet when it is against the Marlies. Dobeš was big to get the win and Mailloux had two assists with Myšák also potting a goal to tie it at 3 and start the comeback in the 5-3 victory.

Mailloux’s assist on the GWG.

[Cranky]

Who is ready to graduate for a look see in the bigs? Roy looks like he deserves a look see. Has Anderson turned the corner? He seems to dominate the AHL but can't translate it to the NHL. RHP and Pez are not exactly huge barrier for a callup.

Mailman is fighting his OHL mind demons. Struble is not looking great on offense.

Regardless, our forwards/offense is more important right now.

[NWTHabsFan]

Laval ends its season ending winning streak at one after laying yet another 5-0 egg against Marlies.

At least the 3R Lions swept the Leafs farm team tonight (two wins in two nights against the Growlers) and moving to a 6-1 record. Smoking!

[Willie Dog]

Logan crush

www.instagram.com/reel/CzIAd3QOsEE/

[NWTHabsFan]

The Lions are off to a great 8-1 start and Vrbetic has been a big part of that. They are atop of their conference (albeit with two extra games played) and have the second best league win percentage right now.