Rocket 3 – Comets 2 | The Rocket succeeds in erasing a delay

For a second time this week, the Laval Rocket had to continue to believe in it. And the end result proved him right to do so.

The Rocket once again managed to erase a deficit of more than one goal and triumphed 3-2 at the expense of the Utica Comets on Friday night at the Adirondack Bank Center.

Owen Beck broke the deadlock with exactly five minutes left in the game, unleashing a fierce shot that surprised goalie Nico Daws on the blocker’s side.

Beck, who is in his first season in the American League, seems to be quietly attaching the label of man of big occasions for Laval. He has already scored five game-winning goals, which ties him for first in this regard across the league.

“You have to make a push like that when you’re down 2-0. I’m very happy to have been able to score this goal, said the Habs’ second-round pick in 2022. We played good hockey, but some rebounds did not go in our favor. Our message was to stick to our game plan and that’s what we did. »

The Montreal Canadiens’ farm club obtained at least one point in a sixth consecutive match (5-0-1) and signed a second comeback in three days. On Wednesday night, he rallied from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 4-3 in overtime.

Unlike this duel, the Rocket (23-10-3) was in full control of things against the Comets (10-19-4).

“There were perhaps only seven minutes in which they had scoring opportunities,” analyzed head coach Pascal Vincent. We had no chance of losing that match. We played too well and too quickly, in addition to creating chances. Even at 0-2, I felt very comfortable with the way we played. The whole team played well. »

Logan Mailloux and Florian Xhekaj also found the back of the net for the Rocket, who took first place in the North section.

In the case of Mailloux, he ended a long drought of 17 matches without moving the ropes, since November 27.

“It’s been a while,” admitted Mailloux. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a streak this long. It feels good to take this weight off my shoulders, but it’s even nicer to record this victory. »

Cayden Primeau has remained undefeated in four starts since his return to the American League. He stopped 23 shots in his team’s victory.

The Rocket added two points to their total, but lost the services of Joshua Roy during the game. The forward went against the boards in the second period and did not return to the game. Vincent had no details regarding the severity of his injury.

Ryan Schmelzer scored two power play goals, each time assisted by Simon Nemec and Max Willman, but the Comets saw their winning streak cut to two. Nico Daws allowed three goals on 28 shots.

The two teams will cross swords again Saturday evening, at Place Bell.

Slowly, but surely

The indiscipline quickly cost the Laval team dearly, as they conceded a goal in the third minute of play.

Nemec started the attack by joining Willman on the left flank and the latter passed the puck into the slot. Schmelzer distanced himself from defender Tyler Wotherspoon and redirected his teammate’s throw behind Primeau.

At even strength, the Rocket imposed his pace and came within inches of tying the score. Lucas Condotta grabbed the puck and fired a shot, but Daws was helped by his post.

At the end of the first period, the visitors were very combative and challenged the Comets goalkeeper, but the 24-year-old goalkeeper remained frozen.

Pascal Vincent’s men were once again the most insistent at five against five, in the second period, but a penalty to Filip Mesar opened the door to the New Jersey Devils farm club.

From the point, Nemec saw his shot rejected by Primeau, but Schmelzer grabbed the return and lodged the puck in an abandoned net.

By increasing the pressure, the Rocket was rewarded. Laurent Dauphin took a shot that hit the post, but the hard work of Xavier Simoneau in front of the Daws net allowed Mailloux to thread the needle.

The Laval residents continued to buzz in the enemy zone, but the Comets were effective in leaving them on the outskirts.

Primeau set the tone in the final third by sticking out his right pad to deprive Jack Malone of a goal. At the other end of the ice, Daws stopped a shot from Rafaël Harvey-Pinard a few seconds after the Quebecer accepted a solid check entering the zone.

But as he did on Wednesday evening, in front of his fans, the Rocket found a way to draw on his resources to create equality. He bottled up his rival in his territory before seeing Xhekaj hit the target.

The comeback was capped by Beck’s goal, his ninth of the campaign.