Laval Rocket’s Match Recap: Phantoms End Winning Streak, Injury Updates, and Road Ahead

2023-11-18 02:25:00

The Laval Rocket’s winning streak ended at three following a 3-2 loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Friday.

The end of the match was a little chaotic following contact with the Laval goalkeeper, Jakub Dobes. Dobes intercepted the puck behind his net and Rhett Gardner rushed towards him, hooking him with his left shoulder in the process and sending him flying onto his back.

A scrum obviously broke out and the Rocket ended the game with a 5-minute power play with 3:38 left on the clock.

Brandon Gignac took the opportunity to cut the lead to 3-1 by completing a play by Sean Farrell and Joshua Roy, followed by Riley Kidney’s first professional goal with 5.8 seconds left, but time ran out. Dobes blocked 29 shots.

“We had a numerical advantage and we were able to capitalize twice, but it was a little too late,” Gignac initially reacted.

“Five games in seven days, it’s extremely difficult on the body and we lost two guys in the first period, so it hurt our energy level, that’s for sure,” he said. in reference to a relaxation in the second period.

The organization actually announced in the second period that Mitchell Stephens (lower body) and Philippe Maillet (upper body) would not be able to complete the match, and that it would therefore have to do with 10 attackers.

In Stephens’ case, he was hit hard by Rhett Gardner entering the territory in the first period. His right leg seemed to take the impact. He struggled to walk down the hallway leading to the locker room.

After a slow start to the season, the Rocket collected valuable points to get back into the race despite a grueling week. This will continue tomorrow with a third game in three evenings, once morest the Utica Comets.

“We’re starting to connect. We had a new team, no one really knew each other, now we’re starting to have great chemistry. It’s getting better,” added Gignac, assuring that the club will still give 100% on Saturday.

A lack of opportunism

The Rocket played a good first period despite being unable to capitalize on their three power play chances. He dominated 11-4 in shots, but the opposing goalie, Cal Petersen, was solid.

The Rocket’s lack of opportunism eventually caught up with them.

The Phantoms benefited from a bit of luck. Tanner Laczynski’s shot deflected off William Trudeau’s skate and the puck ended up behind goaltender Jakub Dobes.

Laczynski also contributed to his team’s second goal in the third period. His shot was initially blocked by Dobes, but Olle Lycksell pounced on the return to score his ninth goal of the season by sliding the disc under his left pad.

Lycksell also scored into an empty net.

Friday’s game was the Rocket’s last in front of their fans until December 6. In the meantime, the farm club will play six games in a row on the road, a streak that will begin Saturday night once morest the Comets.

This meeting should mark the return of defenseman Jayden Struble, who missed the last three games due to a suspension.

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