AHL: The Rocket has developed its culture of intensity and physical play

The physical play of the American League has sometimes been merciless for fast and talented teams, but the Rocket have not been intimidated in any way since the start of the season.

The hard-hitting hits certainly fuel the spectacle, but that’s not necessarily what comes to mind when the time comes to analyze the play of certain offensive prospects of the Montreal Canadiens.

Despite everything, Joshua Roy, Owen Beck, Filip Mesar and Jared Davidson, to name a few, have adhered to the intense and physical mentality of head coach Pascal Vincent since his arrival in office. Also, they strive to apply it from match to match, even if that is not exactly their primary role.

“There are moments on the ice when it’s no longer about the system of play. It’s you or your opponent. Your job is to get the puck. It doesn’t have to be a big check. Everyone is capable of getting in front of the opposing player, blocking their stick and recovering the puck. The players bought this concept and we are a physical team,” observed Vincent on Tuesday after training in Laval.

The Rocket had already been doing well since the start of the season, but a few games in December seemed to cement that mentality.

The team responded well to the physical play of the Toronto Marlies during their visit to Place Bell about a month ago, and they tried to keep their composure during an emotional match against the Belleville Senators, a few weeks later.

This clash against the Senators showed how it is not easy to waltz between intensity and indiscipline. The young Laval team received 62 penalty minutes during this match and is currently the most punished in the American League, with 562 minutes awarded.

Although he would like better control on the part of his men, Vincent does not have the impression that this total gives a complete picture of the situation.

“We asked the guys to be involved in all the battles. They do it, but it costs us some penalties. These are not laziness penalties, but rather aggressiveness penalties. Because they want the puck. We now have to find a way to correct these stick penalties. This mastery of emotions often comes with experience,” he said.

The American League obviously allows you to develop individual skills and prepare for the NHL, but it is often the first glimpse for young players of the very physical aspect of professional hockey.

The transition from junior to professional has given some rookies headaches and talented players quickly realize there is less room to maneuver with the puck. For defenseman William Trudeau, who was already robust in the QMJHL and who still is since his arrival with the Rocket, working outside the ice rink can be a possible solution for a less arduous transition.

“You definitely have to get used to the physical game. When you go from junior to the American League, there are 30-year-old players who are bigger. If you gain one more level in the gym, you are stronger and more confident. At a certain point, you realize that you are capable of competing against these guys, whether in battles for the puck or physical play in general,” he explained.

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In the case of the Rocket, talented players are also supported by teammates who do not hesitate to apply solid shoulder blows.

Even though they are rookies, Luke Tuch and Florian Xhekaj have already thrown in the gloves on a few occasions since the start of the season. Captain Lucas Condotta is taxing on the forecheck and along the boards, while veteran Vincent Arseneau commands respect on the ice.

Arseneau, a crowd favorite, takes his role as protector and instigator of a physical mentality within the team very seriously.

“As the oldest on the team, it’s my role to make sure everyone is on board with this. The American League is a tough league. If you want to win matches, you have to bring a physical side. They’re not always big hits, but being in your opponent’s face causes turnovers,” he said.

Vincent quickly noted that Arseneau’s presence on the bench allowed other players to play more freely on the ice, while calming the heat of the opposing teams. This is what makes the decision to leave him aside a few times even more heartbreaking.

“Vincent is a really good teammate. When he’s on the ice, everyone feels protected and the opposing team knows that if things go wrong, he’s there. He’s capable of playing hockey and he’s capable of making sure the team gets respect. No club comes to disturb us or challenge us in front of our bench,” underlined the head coach.

After an emotional weekend against the Cleveland Monsters, during which the Laval team collected three points out of four in convincing fashion, discipline will have to be considered against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, who will be visiting Place Bell Wednesday evening.

The Penguins won the first duel 5-3 at the end of November, thanks in particular to three power play goals.

“They’re a good team and they’ve been doing well lately. They are very dangerous in the offensive zone. There will be an element of discipline, but at the same time, I don’t want to change the mentality of my guys,” Vincent insisted.

Cayden Primeau will defend the cage for the Rocket, who is still without attacker Brandon Gignac and defender Joshua Jacobs.

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