The arrival of a defenseman of Arber Xhekaj’s stature in the Laval Rocket line-up has completely changed the picture of a club that was struggling and languishing at the bottom of the league.
The Sheriff’s aura and stature are so powerful that, since his arrival, this group has climbed the ladder and, as of today, is fighting for a playoff spot (just one point behind).
The Rocket is riding a four-game winning streak and has won eight of its last ten games. With such a record, Jean-François Houle’s team is one win away from the .500 plateau.
If the Rocket is playing the best hockey of its season, it’s because of several key points, according to Anthony Marcotte, the voice of the Montreal Canadiens’ club-school.
Update @RocketLaval!@anthonymarcotte updates us on the amazing performances of the Laval club and on a few players who stand out from the crowd. #hockey #ahl #nhl pic.twitter.com/bxSpsOCnYD
– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) January 9, 2024
Houle was quick to point out just how good the Sheriff was, going so far as to say that his new protégé had the makings of a first-round pick. The Rocket driver can’t understand why Arber Xhekaj was never drafted… and he’s not the only one.
Although he has only 12 games under his belt with the Rocket, the Sheriff’s 10 points rank him 9th among the team’s top scorers. Quite a feat, isn’t it?
In short, with a performance like that, it’s obvious that Houle doesn’t want to lose his Sheriff… except that he knows he’ll be back on top in no time.
Breaking news
– Chaumont’s excellent interview with Daniel Brière.
Flyers GM rebuilds by winning: 30 minutes with Daniel Brière and a live exchangehttps://t.co/M927GtR3mp
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) January 9, 2024
– Elias Pettersson is having a fantastic season!
Elias Pettersson with his 20th of the season, that’s 5 goals, 8 pts in his last 3 games. #Canucks
– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) January 10, 2024
– You’re welcome!
Frank Vatrano is on pace for 39 goals this season. #FlyTogether
– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) January 10, 2024
– Trevor Zegras looked like he was suffering!
Zegras goes down awkwardly and heads down the tunnel pic.twitter.com/wvjZdf4ltL
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 10, 2024