The Laval Rocket left Rochester with a split in the first two games of the American Hockey League’s (AHL) North Division finals. The best-of-five series continues at Place Bell for the final three contests starting on Wednesday.
Laval scored twice on the power play, converting two of three chances. Oliver Kapanen sealed the 5-4 win by deflecting Logan Mailloux’s point shot late in the game.
Then on Friday, the Rocket’s indiscipline cost them. With the score tied 3-3 through 40 minutes, Rochester jumped on a power play following a goalie interference call on Florian Xhekaj to take the lead. Then with 3:33 remaining, Mailloux received a high sticking infraction that virtually ended any hope of tying the game. The Americans sealed the 5-3 win by adding an empty netter.
“We thought it would be easier than what it was,” Pascal Vincent said. “It’s exactly why being in the playoffs gives a lot of experience. You can learn from playing these games.”
Who’s in Goal?
It’s impossible having a hockey discussion about the Montreal Canadiens without goaltending coming up at some point. Jacob Fowler won all three games in the opening series against the Monsters, while Cayden Primeau was in goal in Laval’s only loss during the best-of-five.
Vincent revealed prior to the North Division finals that both goalies will see action against the Americans, and he remained true to his word. Each goalie started a game in Rochester with Primeau making 23 saves in the win, and Fowler stopped 31 shots in the defeat.
Let the debate begin for game 3 at Place Bell. Primeau brought the team to the playoffs, while Fowler has better numbers in the post season. The players rightfully have confidence in both netminders.
“It’s definitely not the time to be selfish. I’m not worried about it too much. Just being ready when your name is called. Both goalies are ready,” said Primeau speaking about the coach’s intentions to use both goalies.
Beck’s Versatility
After playing the entire regular season at centre, Owen Beck slotted in the wing since the start of the playoffs. His most recent linemates are Florian Xhekaj and Jared Davidson on the fourth line. Vincent counts on the trio to contribute more offensively than a typical fourth line. The three forwards scored 63 goals in total during the regular season.
Beck’s projected as a third or fourth line centre for the Canadiens, and potentially as soon as next season. Vincent’s decision to move him to the wing can seem to be going against that.
“He played on the wing when the Canadiens recalled him. He wasn’t familiar with doing that. We had discussions and we said that we should give him reps on the wing. He’s doing it now and he’s doing it really well. He’s physical, he’s using his skating and he’s playing big hockey for us. To have players like that, that we can move between lines, it’s a luxury,” Vincent said on Friday morning.
“Being able to play anywhere is a huge benefit. Started the year at centre, and I’m pretty comfortable there. Being able to play on the wing as well, it’s beneficial for now. When the time comes to make the jump to the next level, I was told it gives you 12 chances to make the team as opposed to just four,” Beck added.
Developing from Watching
The team’s depth forced the coach to make tough decisions when setting the playoff lineup, resulting in Filip Mesar scratched for all six postseason games. It’s not common for a first-round draft pick to be scratched in the AHL.
“Sometimes, we have this fixed idea that development only comes through ice time. Obviously, players have to play, but being in the environment of a winning team, to see how certain players prepare, how certain players react, and showing you’re a good team player. What currently impresses me the most about him right now is his attitude,” Vincent noted about the 26th overall pick in 2022’s entry draft.
“He’s currently developing a strength of character against adversity and that is also part of development. If we have a chance to play him, we will. He’s not forgotten. Right now, the lineup we have is playing god hockey,” the bench boss added. “[Oliver] Kapanen’s arrival, a more offensive player, takes away some ice time from Mesar, but his development doesn’t only come from playing games. It’s up to him to show how he reacts to this, and he’s currently gaining a lot of points. He’s important to us.”
Demidov Nominated for Award
Ivan Demidov is nominated for the Alexei Cherepanov Award, given annually to the KHL rookie of the year as voted by the league’s coaches. The SKA forward recorded 54 points in 71 games this season and earned rookie of the week seven times and rookie of the month three times.
Following SKA’s first round playoff elimination, Demidov joined the Canadiens for the final two regular season contests, and five playoff games versus the Washington Capitals.
