A opening weekend full of lessons

By Justin Vézina

Practice makes perfect, as the old adage goes. So when the players of the 2023-2024 edition of the Laval club took to the ice at Place Bell on opening weekend, they had plenty of experience. Experiences that will be invaluable for the rest of the campaign.

Admittedly, the Rocket fell 7-4 on Friday night and 4-3 on Saturday afternoon against the Abbotsford Canucks in a back to back series. However, when a group as young as Laval’s takes its first steps, it’s guaranteed to go from strength to strength.

“That’s what it’s like to be young and experience your baptism of fire in professional hockey,” summed up Rocket head coach Jean-François Houle after the sold-out opening game. “There’s not much you can do. We try to prepare them as best we can hockey-wise. They’re all young and different. I think we started the game well.”

In the Rocket squad, 12 players wore the blue-white-red uniform for the first time. Despite this, progress was evident throughout the duels, as illustrated by the frenzied finish to Saturday’s match. Philippe Maillet thought he had tied the game at the very end, but the puck crossed the goal line just a few seconds after the buzzer sounded.

That’s what captain Gabriel Bourque had to say at the end of the double-header against the Canucks. “We’re heading in the right direction, he noted. We need to learn. It’s going to be a long season, and we need to turn the page as quickly as possible.”

Love at first sight for Place Bell and new faces

For some, however, acclimatizing to the noisy, electrifying environment of Place Bell was a snap. Notably, forward Joel Armia, scorer of three points in the first two games.

“Armia was very good, admitted Houle. He was combative, got involved, scored important goals and was good on the power play. He puts his stick in the right places. I’m really happy for him and it must feel good to score a few goals.” “Armia was very good, admitted Houle. He was combative, got involved, scored important goals and was good on the power play. He puts his stick in the right places. I’m really happy for him and it must feel good to score a few goals.”

It was the same story for Joshua Roy.

In his first regular-season game with the Rocket, he scored his first goal in the professional ranks in a sequence worthy of highlights. What’s more, the Beauceron did it again, hitting the target the very next day.

“It’s a good feeling to score your first goal, he said afterwards. It’s not like it was an empty net. I’m glad it was a good goal and I hope there will be more.”

– Joshua Roy, after his first goal

The other player who also did well was forward Lias Andersson. The latter scored twice in Saturday’s match, and was quick to praise his new organization.

“It’s like a second NHL team here. The fans are extraordinary. I’ve played here once before, but to play here and have this crowd as my supporters is fantastic. The people are really nice and we’re treated really well”, he noted.

The Rocket will be looking for their first win of the campaign on Wednesday when the Rochester Americans visit Place Bell.

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