Habs News: NHL, Montreal Canadiens, Nick Suzuki, Laval Rocket, Trois-Rivieres Lions

The Laval Rocket were in Toronto for a pair of games against the Marlies. On Friday, the score was 1-1 with 52 seconds remaining in the second period when the Marlies broke the tie. Toronto added two goals in the final period and headed to 4-1 victory. It was Laval’s first regulation loss in eight games. 

“We were flat in the first period. Our energy level was low, but we stayed in the game until the third period. We had two breakaways in the third that didn’t result into shots and it could have made the difference. We need to be ready to play from the first period,” coach Jean-Francois Houle said. 

#Rocket Peter Abbandonato knocks in the puck for goal vs #Marlies

Assists: Simoneau, Ylonen#GoRocket #AHL pic.twitter.com/JERNJDYFQ9

— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) February 4, 2023

On Saturday, the Rocket came out strong and took a 3-0 lead through 20 minutes. Toronto was not able to eliminate the three-goal deficit and Laval went on their way to 7-3 win. 

“Our start was the complete opposite from [Friday]. It was the message that we delivered to the players in our meeting before the game to have a good start and to go to the crease. There’s no secrets. If you want to score goals, you have to be in the crease and it worked for us tonight,” Houle said.

#Rocket Pierrick Dubeis also in front of the net to pick up rebound for goal vs #Marlies

Assists: Bowey, Simoneau#GoRocket #AHL pic.twitter.com/QwJIhO3uzd

— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) February 4, 2023

Place Bell hosted this year’s AHL All-Star Classic beginning on Sunday with the Skills Competition. Alex Belzile and Anthony Richard represented the Rocket; Belzile was a late replacement for Justin Barron, who was selected as an All-Star but is currently with the Canadiens.

Complete coverage is available on the AHL Report website. 

The Rocket return to action on Friday when they host the Syracuse Crunch.

(Quotes courtesy of BPM Sports)

The Trois-Rivieres Lions ended their three game series against the Admirals in Norfolk over the weekend. For the weekend, the Lions got reinforcements from three forwards that returned from their stints with the Rocket.  

On Friday, the score was 4-4 early in the third period when the Lions added three unanswered goals to win 7-4. “We had a good game. I found we were responsible for most of the game. The turnovers we made were not in dangerous areas. We played our best offensive game in a long time,” interim coach and general manager Marc-Andre Bergeron said. 

The Trois-Rivieres #Lions3R defeated the Norfolk #Admirals 7-3 on Friday.

Here are the TR goals scored by Nicolas Guay, Brett Stapley, Alex Breton (x2), Riley McKay, Anthony Beauregard, Brendan Soucie #ECHL pic.twitter.com/b3m58L78OJ

— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) February 5, 2023

On Saturday, the score was 2-2 through two periods when Ryan Francis broke the tie with a power play goal in the third period to give the Lions the 3-2 victory.

“I don’t think it was a good hockey game, and the officiating wasn’t good either. There were a lot of stoppages and little rhythm. After the second period, I told the guys that even if we weren’t playing a great game, we had to find a way to win. That’s what we did. I am satisfied with our group,” Bergeron said.

The Lions end their seven-game road trip on Friday in Maine against the Mariners.

(Quotes courtesy of Le Nouvelliste)