The Laval Rocket tried everything, but Yaroslav Askarov was brilliant in front of his net, making 44 saves to allow the Milwaukee Admirals to steal two important points in a 3-2 win Friday night at Place Bell.
Laval has now lost five of its last six outings. Still stuck at 60 points in the standings, the Rocket slipped to 7th and last place in the North Division by virtue of the victory of the Cleveland Monsters over the Toronto Marlies. The Laval team still remains just one point from the last place giving access to the playoffs due to the loss of the Belleville Senators.
John Leonard opened the scoring for the Admirals on a first-period power play, but Gabriel Bourque replied before the end of the frame with his 12e goal of the season.
The Rocket was particularly dominant during the 2e period, but Askarov blocked all 20 shots aimed at him, including several very threatening ones. The Admirals rewarded their goalkeeper with a goal at the end of the period, that of Anthony Angello, on a play prepared by Joakim Kemell.
Kemell, a first-round pick (17e) in the 2022 Draft, scored his second goal in two games off a power play to give the Admirals a two-goal lead.
The Finn has two goals and an assist in four games since joining the Admirals.
Pierrick Dubé cut the deficit to 3-2 when he accepted the surrender from Peter Abbandonato who had himself jumped on a return from Emil Heineman in the slot.
For Heinemann it was the second point in as many games since joining the Rocket.
After initially being limited to a spectator role and then participating in a Wednesday night warm-up before the game against the Bridgeport Islanders, defenseman Jayden Struble made his Rocket debut.
Struble recently completed his NCAA college internship with the Northeastern University Huskies, after which he signed a first contract with the Habs, who selected him in the 2nd round of the 2019 draft (46th).
The Rocket’s next two games are in Manitoba on Sunday and Tuesday. Including games in Rockford and Milwaukee, the team won’t be back at Place Bell until April 7.