Post-Game Talk: {AHL} Laval Rocket @ Toronto Marlies (Ugly Performance: Laval Loses 5-2)

[Adam Michaels]

Game will be broadcast on RDS & on TSN2.

News & Notes

- Keith Kinkaid will get the start.

- Ryan Poehling will play at center today. His first game since being sent back down.

- Lukas Vejdemo and Joe Cox did not travel with the team for this upcoming road trip due to injuries.

- Jake Evans and Xavier Ouellet are currently with the Canadiens.

- Andrew Sturtz (acquired in the Mike Reilly trade) has traveled with the team and has received the green light to return. We'll see if he will be inserted in the line-up.

Click to read more...

 

[Adam Michaels]

I would like to see Laval's Top-6

Hudon - Kotkaniemi - Barber
Peca - Poehling - Varone

Or put Peca with Hudon and KK and put Barber with Varone and Poehling.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Here are the standings as of right now. Laval is in a playoff position, but both Toronto and Syracuse are on their heels. And Cleveland and Binghamton are not far behind. Despite losing last night, it was good to at least get the point.

It's extremely important for them to get the win in regulation, which would put Laval 4 points ahead of Toronto, who have a game in hand. A win in OT/SO is better than nothing, but Toronto would be 3 points behind. Toronto is playing their 3rd game in 3 nights. They lost on Friday to Belleville and won yesterday against Rochester.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Yup, one of the more important game of the season today for sure. Without the captain/top puck moving dman AND the top scorer so it's gonna take a solid group effort.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Kotkaniemi shining with Laval. 6 pts (all assists) in 3 GP. Would like to see his sprinkle a few goals in there. But he is primarily a playmaker so it's normal he's setting guys up more than being set up.

He and Hudon have been a match made in Heaven, especially on the PP.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Yup, one of the more important game of the season today for sure. Without the captain/top puck moving dman AND the top scorer so it's gonna take a solid group effort.

We know they won't be up with the Habs for long. I am particularly looking forward to seeing a Kotkaniemi/Poehling/Evans center line. Although it wouldn't surprise me if Bouchard puts Evans at wing with Hudon and Kotkaniemi like he did the game before Evans was called up. Things were happening every time they were on the ice.

 

[Maitz]

Anyone has a link to watch this game?

 

[montreal]

not having Evans, Ouellet and Vejdemo stings for sure, especially with Belzile and Teasdale out for the season with Juulsen perhaps joining them as this team has just been hit hard with injuries/call ups all year. That said the biggest thing they need is more consistent goaltending, last night was the perfect example, Primeau was great in the 3rd when the sens took over the game and then in OT where Laval was running it he gets in a weak goal on the only shot he faced.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Anyone has a link to watch this game?

It'll be on TV as indicated in the title. If you don't have RDS or TSN2, then AHL TV is your spot. But that is a paid subscription.

 

[ahmedou]

It’s not the time to mess around.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Looks like Poehling will center Peca and Lynch. So he'll most likely center the 3rd line. Expect Kotkaniemi and Varone to be the top-2 centers.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Just posted the line-up in the OP.

Kinkaid starts and McNiven is the back-up. Primeau given the night off.

Joel Bouchard had said that for the time being, McNiven will stay in Laval because throughout all of his time being shipped around the ECHL, he hasn't really worked with a goalie coach. So Bouchard wants him to stay here and work with Marco Marciano.

 

[Tyson]

Kincaid needs to deliver decent goaltending. He gets paid almost 2 mil.

 

[jiboy]

I love that our young players are in Laval growing together , ride the hell out of them and let them learn

 

[Adam Michaels]

Toronto gets on the board early.

It started by a bad decision by Leskinen who was not being pressured and iced the puck. Face-off after that and Marchment was left alone in front of the net to score.

 

[Krnage]

wow... that was fast ... 1-0 Marlies Ps... kinkaid suck

 

[SpeedyPotato]

Dunno why Kinkaid falls on his belly there but anyways..

 

[Adam Michaels]

Laval should really have this game. A bunch of the Marlies best players are not playing today. Liljegren and Sandin are with Toronto. Bracco and Petan are hurt. Those are four of their best elements not playing today.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Laval will head to the PP.

It's been on fire lately with Kotkaniemi there. Great chance to tie the game.

Although they start with their 2nd unit since Kotkaniemi's line with Hudon was on the ice at the time of the penalty.

 

[montreal]

where the f*** was the defense, no way he should have been left alone in front of the goalie like that.

 

[montreal]

Kotka so close to scoring there, if he was a bit stronger I think he just rams that one home.

 

[Adam Michaels]

2-0 Toronto on a breakaway.

 

[Adam Michaels]

I don't see Kinkaid finishing the game if Toronto scores another one.

 

[montreal]

what the f*** was the D doing there again?

 

[CHfan1]

Terrible defence there letting him get behind them.