The Laval Rocket delighted their fans with a 6-1 win in the first game of their third-round series against the Rochester Americans on Sunday at the Place Bell.
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Hockey fans turned out in large numbers to cheer on the Montreal Canadiens varsity club of the American Hockey League. The 10,043 spectators were able to see a performance by their compatriot Danick Martel.
The 27-year-old Quebecer scored four goals to help his team win the first game of this best-of-five series.
Fueled by Martel’s individual strength, the rocket took off in the second section with three goals including two from the hero of the day.
Without being dominated, Laval residents saw Americans hungrier in the first period. JJ Peterka also allowed the visitors first but Martel put everyone back in first place by deflecting a shot from Brandon Gignac behind goalkeeper Aaron Dell.
Before the Rocket cage, Cayden Primeau was very good, saving 31 of his rivals’ 32 shots.
The Rocket’s other successes were the work of Cédric Paquette and Nate Schnarr. The goal of the first of these was orchestrated by a superb play by Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, who made a rival look bad with a skillful feint in the second period.
The Rocket will look to double their lead against the Americans in another matchup at Place Bell on Monday night.
Riley Kidney is coming to Laval
Before the first game against the Americans, Canadian Riley Kidney signed a pro-trials contract with Rocket.
Kidney, who signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Habs in early May, saw his season come to an end in the second round of the playoffs with the Acadie-Bathurst titans. His Quebec Major Junior Hockey League club was eliminated by the Charlottetown Islanders in three games.
Kidney has two goals and eight points in eight playoff games. Before that, he had 30 goals and 100 points in 66 regular-season games.
The 19-year-old Nova Scotian was drafted in the second round by the Canadiens in 2021.