Everything was set for a great evening at the Place Bell. Loud fans, a unique atmosphere and a playoff game. However, when the puck hit the rink, the Utica Comets broke the party.
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Photo Martin Chevalier
Nico Dawes smothered all of the Rocket’s threats on Wednesday night, including here against Lucas Condotta.
With the Laval Rocket failing to go around the opposing net, they lost 4-0 to their North Section rival. The series now switches to the United States side for the last two games (Friday and Saturday).
“It’s disappointing,” said Jean-François Houle after the game. They took the lead and played well with it. They kept us on the outskirts. »
In the meantime, the Comets have kept things simple. They took their chances when they had them. At the other end of the ice, the defense, with goalkeeper Nico Daws in the lead, stifled attempts by the Canadian school club’s attackers. Nothing spectacular, but very effective.
“We knew it would be difficult to get on the grid. her guardian [Daws] played a whole game. We missed opportunities to close the gap when they were opportunistic. »
Reilly Walsh, Aarne Talvitie and Ryan Schmelzer beat Cayden Primeau. The latter looked weak on one of the three goals. He wasn’t bad, but he didn’t have the touch he had in the last few playoffs.
The effort was there, but…
The rocket delivered choppy performance. Jean-François Houle’s side didn’t play well enough to win the game. As simple as that.
In the playoffs, it’s the little things that make the difference. Laval players have been on the ice for too long on several occasions. The Comets scored twice as the hosts were out of breath.
“It’s not our habit,” Houle said. When the opposing team is good on the ramps and spends a lot of time in your zone, it’s very difficult to make changes. »
They also committed too many turnovers in the defending zone. They stupidly lost the puck or lacked precision with the passes. Departures were often difficult.
no magic
We expected performances inspired by Anthony Richard and Rafaël Harvey-Pinard. Without Mitchell Stephens in the middle, the two Quebecers looked a little lost.
They couldn’t be the rocket’s spark plug. It wasn’t a question of effort. Far from there.
In the third period, head coach Jean-François Houle flipped all his lines to create a spark. He didn’t have a lucky hand, but we saw more conviction in some players.
The magic wasn’t there. The rocket now has an entire command in its hands. He must beat the comets twice on their rink. It won’t be a small beer.
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Stuerble: work to be done
We’ve been watching defender Jayden Struble for a couple of games. The least we can say is that it’s related.
The coaches decided to use him in place of veterans like Frédéric Allard and Madison Bowey.
Young players need to be played and developed. The question isn’t there.
Things seem to be moving fast for the former Northeastern University huskies, however.
He often makes bad decisions with the puck.
During the summer season, his preparation needs to reach another level. With his size, he needs to add muscle to his body.
He will have to prepare his body for a long and tiring season.