The Rocket were trying to take a 2-1 series lead last night against the mighty Springfield Thunderbirds. Do I need to remind you that the T-Birds had not lost a single match in their first two rounds?
It all started well for the Rocket, as Rafaël Harvey-Pinard scored his second goal in as many games (and since the start of the playoffs). RHP is launched. He became the regular season RHP again, who had finished atop the scorers ET pointers at the Rocket.
Unfortunately, things then went wrong for the home team (which was once again able to count on an impressive crowd at Place Bell). The Thunderbirds scored three unanswered goals…and they never lost their lead after that. Final mark: 6 to 3 for the T-Birds.
Will Bitten, a former CH prospect, scored four goals against his former organization https://t.co/ssE2c6hNlg
— DansLesCoulisses (@DLCoulisses) June 9, 2022
We will especially remember…
1. The indiscipline of the Rocket who received eight minor penalties and two game misconduct penalties. Even if the Thunderbirds did not score a single goal on the power play last night (0 for 8), they were able to exhaust their opponent at 5 against 3 and 5 against 4. It ended up paying evenly.
The Rocket tonight: 42 penalty minutes
In three games against the Americans: 36 min penalty
In 5 games against the Crunch: 38 min penalty
No doubt discipline will be part of the talk for the next game on Friday night.@RDSca @RocketLaval
— Patrick Friolet (@PFrioletRDS) June 9, 2022
The stated goal of managing his emotions well and not retaliating has clearly not been achieved at the Rocket.
2. The brilliance of Cayden Primeau. During the first 35 minutes, the Rocket stayed in the game thanks to the brilliance of its young goalkeeper. Yes, in the end, Primeau let in five pucks on 42 shots, but it could have been even worse (and much earlier).
3. The 10,043 people officially admitted to Place Bell. We could also see several familiar faces in the lodge of the Canadian.
There are people at mass in the evening
Nick Suzuki, Marie-Philip Poulin, Michael Pezzetta, Geoff Molson, Laura Stacey, Jill Saulnier, etc #LavalRocket #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/AMRctY8CoW
— Kathy (@gallymeroreboot) June 9, 2022
4. Joshua Roy’s game. The QMJHL’s top scorer in the regular season played his first professional game yesterday. He wasn’t overused, but he didn’t look bad when JF Houle called on his services. Roy finished the game with three shots on goal, including one on a superb scoring chance.
It is tonight that many people from Quebec will begin to understand which player Joshua Roy is. It’s not the most spectacular and electrifying to watch. If these are your expectations you will be disappointed. He is very smart and cerebral in his game. Good IQ and throwing
— Nicolas Joyal (@NicolasJoyalThr) June 8, 2022
5. The four goals of Will Bitten, a former member of the Montreal organization. Bitten, who defined himself as a young Gallagher in the making when he was drafted by the Canadiens, found the back of the net four times last night. He scored the last four goals of the game.
Bitten already has 14 points (including seven goals) in nine playoff games. He seems to have found a way to play inside Cayden Primeau’s head.
Recall that the Canadian traded Bitten to the Wild in return for defender Gustav Olofsson a few years ago, even before Bitten had played his first match with the pros… and the main interested party wanted to show that it was a mistake last night. Bitten had about 40 friends and family members in the stands at Place Bell yesterday.
Will Bitten told @pwilliamsAHL and @FlyersRule that he wanted to show MTL/LAV what they missed by trading him.
Does 4 goals in front of a packed barn in Laval suffice?!
What. A. Night. Home ice advantage is back with the Birds!
— Ryan Smith (@RyanSmithHockey) June 9, 2022
6. The defensive difficulties of Jesse Ylonen and JS Dea. They will have to close the game better.
They weren’t always lucky but Jean-Sébastien Dea and Jesse Ylönen finished the game with a combined differential of minus-9! They are capable of much better than what we saw tonight.
— Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) June 9, 2022
next game : tomorrow in Laval. Will the Rocket tie the game (2-2?) in their semi-final series four-of-seven?
To note that on the other sidethe Chicago Wolves are already leading 3-0 against the Stockton Heat.
Kaiden Guhle advance
Guhle and the Oil Kings took a 3-1 lead in the WHL Finals Series last night. They are just one short win away from the WHL title and a Memorial Cup appearance.
The Oil Kings won 3-2 at Seattle with a goal scored in the final seconds of the third period.
LOGAN DOWHANIUK GIVES THE OIL KINGS THE LEAD WITH 4.7 SECONDS LEFT IN REGULATION #WHLChampionship pic.twitter.com/2QrC12wcLu
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 9, 2022
Guhle did not collect a point, but he finished the game at plus-2.
A solid charge against Brendan Kuny, however, caught the eye for the wrong reasons. Kuny, hit by Tyrel Bauer, had to leave the rink on a stretcher. Bauer was ejected for five minutes and then ejected from the game (game misconduct). Please someone tell the descriptor no, Kuny didn’t hit Bauer! It was Bauer who hit Kuny!
next game : Saturday in Edmonton.
Remember that Guhle could also participate in the world junior championships in August, just before the rookie camp and the real Canadian camp.
Simoneau and Trudeau in danger
The Cataractes won a crazy game last night in Shawinigan. Final score : 5 to 4 (in extra time) in favor of Catswho now lead the QMJHL final series 3-0. The Islanders let slip no less than three leads in the game.
Noah Laaouan scores in his own net in overtime and the Cataractes take a 3-0 lead in the final series! pic.twitter.com/MoQh66p2JE
— Hockey 360 (@hockey360) June 9, 2022
I seem to have heard Jasmin Leroux confide on the air that never has a QMJHL team managed to win the final series after falling behind 0 – 3. It feels like the end for William Trudeau and Xavier Simoneau, two CH hopefuls.
Simoneau picked up an assist, while Trudeau was cleared.
next game : tonight in Shawinigan. Will we take the President’s Cup out of his suitcase? Will the City of Shawinigan celebrate next night?
Tonight in the NHL
Rangers will look to get back to winning ways tonight as they play at home at Madison Square Garden. Who will take a 3-2 lead to be one game away from the Stanley Cup Final?
Is the mojo and the momentum of the Lightning will have followed to New York? Is the possible return of Brayden Point could make all the difference?
Or will Igor Shesterkin prove to be intractable, in front of attackers who will let their attacking talent speak for itself? The answer from 8:00 p.m. on TVA Sports or Sportsnet.