LAVAL | The Rocket have played their first 10 games of the season and are already enjoying a week off, and it comes at the right time.
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“It’s good that we have a week off, we can develop a bit and on Wednesday the boys have an activity planned after training. It allows us to breathe a little and establish the chemistry before setting off,” explains Jean-François Houle.
The timing of this break is particularly advantageous as it precedes a week of five games in seven days, starting with two games against the Manitoba Moose on Sunday and Monday, at 3:00 p.m. and 11:30 a.m. in Quebec. The team will play in Laval next Wednesday and Friday before heading to Utica on Saturday.
“We have a lot of new people, so flying together on a plane and hitting the road is different than taking a bus to Belleville and back. “You don’t have time for activities,” explains Houle, who believes that a rare plane trip will help strengthen team spirit.
Unacceptable
With a record of two wins, seven losses and one overtime loss, the Rocket are in last place in the North Division and second to last in the standings.
“The first ten games were unacceptable as a team,” emphasizes power forward Nathan Légaré.
“Yes, we are young, but that is no excuse,” he continues. We all need to look in the mirror. If you look at the best teams in the National League and the American League, it’s very rare for them to lose back-to-back.
“You have to be consistent and always have the same commitment. Last Wednesday against Utica [défaite de 4 à 1]On Friday against Toronto we got a little slap in the face and responded well, but on Saturday against Toronto it was a slap in the face again [défaite de 5 à 0].”
cohesion
Jean-François Houle believes his team is still searching for its identity.
“Guys have to find a way to create cohesion, even if it’s not easy in the American League. A series of victories certainly helps define an identity.”
He has also battled numerous injuries, including the one that saw him lose his captain Gabriel Bourque.
“We miss him a lot, he’s the guy who delivers messages and he played in the National League.”
At least Emil Heineman, who suffered a concussion in the first game of the season, has returned to training. He can’t make contact yet, but he’s fine.