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Rocket Return With Home Ice | Habs Notepad

Chris G
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Rocket Return With Home Ice | Habs Notepad
Sami Niku, Jesse Ylonen, Laval Rocket (Photo by Matthew Wiernasz)

Habs News: NHL, Montreal Canadiens, Carey Price, Cayden Primeau, Jesse Ylonen, Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Riley Kidney, Joshua Roy, Laval Rocket

Sami Niku, Jesse Ylonen, Laval Rocket (Photo by Matthew Wiernasz)

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — On Friday, Carey Price was presented the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for the 2021-22 season. The award is handed annually to the player that  best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association vote for the award.

“It’s definitely a special honour for me. I’m very grateful to receive this award. Looking at some of the past players that have received this [award] is definitely a special list. There’s a lot of players on there that I have a ton of respect for and I’m very grateful to be apart of that,” Price said during a videoconference.

The goaltender made his season debut on April 15th, having missed 74 games this season after voluntarily entering the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, and recovering from  knee surgery that took place in July 2021.

At the end of the season, the 34-year old goalie said that he didn’t expect that his current health would not allow him to play a full workload. Additional medical consultations were on his agenda during the offseason. Price’s status remains uncertain for next season.

“I had a [Platelet-Rich Plasma] injection this summer. So I’m just letting that sit. I’m getting getting prepared to start my ramp up and start preparing for next season. I’m going to start preparing, like I am playing. I don’t think I will actually have a have an idea of how that’s gonna look until later the summer when I’ve taken all the necessary steps in order to prepare to get back on the ice again. So I wish I could give you news and I wish I had news for myself, but I don’t.”

Off on the Wrong Foot

The Laval Rocket’s best-of-seven battle against the Springfield Thunderbirds in the Eastern Conference Final began on the weekend. On Saturday, Laval had a 1-0 lead with 2:56 remaining in regulation when a point shot got behind Cayden Primeau after it hit a body on the way to the net. In overtime, former Canadien Matthew Peca settled the 2-1 victory with the winning goal.

“I think it was a good game. We played well defensively, we did everything we had to, even on the tying goal. It hit a knee pad before it crossed the red line. It’s part of hockey. We had several chances in overtime, and they just came to our side and scored. I liked the way our guys worked tonight,” coach Jean-Francois Houle said.

“I think we played well all game. It was 10 days that we hadn’t played a game, and I think we were very intense, and they got a lucky bounce at the end to make it 1-1,” added forward Brandon Gignac.

Laval’s only scorer Danick Martel was not as pleased about the team’s performance in game 1. “We had more shots than them, but I think they had more scoring chances than us. They had more time of possession in the offensive zone than us. We weren’t able to get out of our zone often, and that hurts us because we’re a team that likes to have emotion, and playing in the offensive zone,” said the forward.

Bounce Back

Jean-Francois Houle was forced to make several changes to his lineup for game 2 in Springfield. The coach had to juggle his forwards as Cedric Paquette was unavailable to dress due to a lower body injury from Saturday’s game. Houle wanted to add speed on every line.

The changes paid off as Gignac opened the scoring 5:26 into the match, and extending his point streak to five games. Laval’s offence was more successful as they went to a 4-2 win and tie the series.

“I think we were opportunistic. We shot on the net, and it managed to go in,” Houle said. “In the second period, they only got one chance on five-on-five. Our penalty kill did a good job, blocked a lot of shots, and had sticks in the passing lanes.”

Forward Gabriel Bourque left the game during the first period with an upper body injury after receiving a contact from Dakota Joshua.

With Sunday’s victory, the Rocket achieved the target of winning at least one game in Springfield. The next three games, starting on Wednesday, will be played in front of a sold out Place Bell.

“I like our crowd right now, it generates a lot of positive energy for our group. We’re going to go home, and try to work as hard as we can to win as many games as we can,” said the coach.

Primeau at his Best

In the current playoff run, Cayden Primeau has been playing at his best since joining the professional ranks. Through nine starts, the 22-year old has allowed two or less goals in seven matches.

“Even on the goal with three minutes before the end, it’s unfortunate for him because he was in good position, and it deflected at the last second. It’s hard for a goaltender and it’s really not his fault. He gives us a chance to win, and it’s really important for a goalie like that in the playoffs, and we’ve been talking about it since the start of the playoffs,” Martel said on Saturday.

“He’s calm and doesn’t get us stressed. We know that he’s going to make the key saves. In front of him, we try to give him the easiest possible shots to save, but no matter he makes the saves. It’s very comfortable to play in front of him,” added Gignac.

“The bigger the game is, the better he’s been. He’s been a big part of why we’ve made it so far,” forward Jesse Ylonen said.

Primeau’s 37-save performance in game 1 earned him the third star. “He’s matured, and that’s when you learn. Since the start of the playoffs, he always keeps us in the games, and gives us a chance to win. That’s what you want from your goalie,” Houle said.

On Sunday, Springfield’s forwards crashed Primeau’s net throughout the contest, and initiated contact with the goalie.

“It’s part of the playoffs. When a goalie is making the saves, they will try to bother him, and go to the net. We have to stay disciplined when that happens,” said the coach.

Ylonen Shines

Jesse Ylonen played his best game of the playoffs on Sunday, and was named the first star after scoring once, and collecting two assists. After keeping the line of Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Jean-Sebastien Dea, and Ylonen intact for five games, Houle replaced Dea with Gignac, and the trio produced three of Laval’s goals.

“It’s very fun to play with [Ylonen]. You can easily see how good he is offensively, and he’s a fast skater too. We have good chemistry together,” Harvey-Pinard said.

Harvey-Pinard netted his first of the postseason in the second period, and threw the monkey off his back during the celebration. “It felt good. I threw the monkey the furthest possible, so I don’t see it again. I think I will be more confident with my stick in the next games.”

In the regular season, Harvey-Pinard finished second on the team behind Dea with 21 goals. “Scoring a goal will take pressure off my shoulders. Hockey is funny sometimes. Tonight I think was my worst game since the start of the playoffs, and I scored my first goal. I have to continue working, and good things will happen.”

The coach has been happy with both of their contributions. “It’s two players that have had good progression throughout the year. Both have been very important pieces to our team.”

Kidney and Roy Waiting for Opportunity

Canadiens prospects Riley Kidney, and Joshua Roy were not given an opportunity to make their professional debut on the weekend. Both players have been practising with the team since joining Laval.

Kidney signed an amateur tryout contract on May 22nd after the Acadie-Bathurst Titan were eliminated from the QMJHL playoffs. The forward collected 100 points in 66 regular season games, and eight points in eight playoff games.

Roy joined the Rocket after signing an amateur tryout contract on May 31st. The 18-year old collected 119 points in 66 games with the Sherbrooke Phoenix. During the QMJHL playoffs, he registered 23 points in 11 games.

Jean-Francois Houle made it clear before the start of the postseason, that winning takes priority over development during the playoffs. “If they play it’s a plus. If they don’t play, they’re still learning from the older guys just from watching in the stands, being in our meeting to know how it works, and the preparation it takes to get there,” the coach explained the benefits of them being around the team.

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By Chris G., Senior Writer
All Habs Hockey Magazine
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