Laval Rocket forward Laurent Dauphin scored the decisive goal in the shootout as Laval overcame a deficit to defeat the Rochester Americans 4-3 on Saturday at Place Bell. The Rocket demonstrated their resilience, battling back to secure the victory.
Dauphin beat Scott Ratzlaff in the eighth round of the shootout, and Kaapo Kahkonen then stopped Carson Meyer to seal the win for Laval. However, the comeback began roughly an hour earlier, as the Rocket unleashed a barrage of 17 shots on the Rochester net.
“After the second period, we weren’t happy with certain things, especially the penalties,” said head coach Pascal Vincent. “It was about correcting that and continuing to skate. We have a lot of success when we put teams in a position to make pressured zone exits. That was the focus in the third – short shifts and attacking their defense.”
Rochester gave Laval a tough contest, with their penalty kill keeping the Rocket’s offense in check and creating turnovers. Despite the Americans’ efforts, Laval felt they could have finished more of their scoring chances.
“We were still the better team on the ice today,” said Blais, who scored a goal. “We missed a lot of opportunities, especially in the first period, but if we play the way we did in the third, it will pay off in the playoffs. That’s how we need to play.”
The Rocket suffered another setback as a third defenseman was injured in as many games. Following injuries to Tobie Bisson on Wednesday and Josh Jacobs on Friday, Josiah Didier blocked a shot during a penalty kill and did not return to the game. Laval’s remaining defensemen stepped up to help secure the victory.
“It’s tough to lose a player, but it allows everyone to obtain involved,” said Del Gaizo. “It’s not the time to be sad or suppose about those things. Other players step into the lineup, and we have to keep going. We have to find a way to get through it.”
Vincent said he will discuss the defensive situation with Canadiens management. “I’m going to talk with (Rocket general manager) John Sedgwick before I can say anything further,” he said. “Maybe some guys will be injured short-term, but we’ll need some help.”
Florian Xhekaj scored twice in regulation, including a Gordie Howe hat trick (a goal, an assist, and a fight). Kahkonen made 19 saves for his 17th win of the season, after returning to the net following Jacob Fowler’s start on Friday.
Riley Fiddler-Schultz, Olivier Nadeau, and Konsta Helenius scored for Rochester, who have now lost eight straight games. Scott Ratzlaff allowed three goals on 33 shots.
Laval will return to action Friday when they face the Comets in Utica.
The game featured a physical start, with both teams exchanging hits and establishing an intense pace from the opening minutes.
Laval drew first blood midway through the first period when Sean Farrell’s long shot was deflected in by Xhekaj, but the celebration was short-lived as Xhekaj immediately dropped the gloves with Mason Geertsen.
The second period saw the game open up, with special teams taking center stage. Fiddler-Schultz tied the game at 1-1 just 59 seconds into the period, redirecting a pass from Zac Jones on the power play.
Laval regained the lead when Blais deflected a shot past Jack Rathbone with the man advantage. Nadeau then tied the game again, capitalizing on a power play with a shot from Meyer. Helenius gave Rochester their first lead, scoring on the power play with a shot from Jones.
Laval responded with renewed intensity in the third period. Del Gaizo, who had missed a breakaway opportunity in the second, scored with a wrist shot to tie the game.
Late in the game, Alex Belzile had a chance on a shorthanded breakaway, but Ratzlaff made the save. In overtime, Farrell beat Ratzlaff but the puck hit the post.
Simon Servant, La Presse Canadienne
