A point from Arber Xhekaj in the Rocket’s first win in 10 games

This afternoon in Laval, it was doggie day. For the past few years, the Rocket has been inviting fans to throw plushies on the ice after the team’s first goal.

It would be a missed opportunity if the crowd favourites didn’t score in any given game…

Anyway, Laval scored… five times, in fact.

The first goal of the game was scored by Riley Kidney, who, if nothing else, is having a great time.

Riley Kidney scores and it rains doggies!

Riley Kidney scores and it’s raining teddy bears! #GoRocket https://t.co/PmdyGJ713R pic.twitter.com/XuxXAjv8U7

– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) December 9, 2023

The former Gatineau Olympiques player ended the game with two goals and an assist.

But for the second game in two nights, we had to keep an eye on Arber Xhekaj. After his first game in the AHL, the defenseman didn’t look in top form. After all, he hadn’t played in a while, but some thought he just didn ‘t want to be there.

Yesterday, he collected his first point and doubled his production in a rare Laval victory this afternoon.

On Kidney’s second goal, he picked up an assist.

His second of the game
His second of the game! #GoRocket https://t.co/Ym5ywsygAQ pic.twitter.com/CSZQeW2KFH

– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) December 9, 2023

Logan Mailloux’s left-handed transfer ended the game with an assist and three shots on goal.

In front of a crowd of 10,268, its second largest of the season, Laval won 5-1. It was Laval’s first win in 10 games. Jean-François Houle’s team last won on November 15…

That’s a long time.

In the victory, Joshua Roy reached the 20-point plateau this season with an assist on his team’s last goal. He is the second player on the team to reach this plateau, after teammate Brandon Gignac.

In a row

– Speaking of Xhekaj.

My story with Canadiens defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic talking about his teammate and very good friend Arber Xhekaj, who was sent down to the AHL’s Laval Rocket this week #Habs #HabsIO: https://t.co/S2za5D6i4G

– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) December 9, 2023

– Good weekend for the Laval goaltender. He stopped 61 of 65 shots this weekend.

Dobes lets in his first shot on a softie….shut the door ever since. He has stopped 60 of 64 shots this weekend but Laval is now down two men leading 4-1.

– Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) December 9, 2023

– Certainly not the NHL.

What league is going to give out the first $1B contract? I guess it will be MLB.

– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) December 9, 2023

– This one is intentional.

Bad skate by Frk on Pilut!
Intentional or unintentional skate? #MySports | #HomeofHockey | #Jesuisfan | @Nlch_official pic.twitter.com/xpo9n2IpkC

– MySports – C’est le hockey (@MySports_CH_en) December 8, 2023