Without Roy or Heineman, the Rocket crushes the Marlies

Last night, the Rocket was in Toronto to take on the Marlies. Despite a tight game until the third period, Laval was crushed by its opponents.

A6-1 defeat.

Today, it was Jean-François Houle’s team’s turn to give Toronto a run for its money. They won 7-1, despite the absence ofEmil Heineman (injured) and Joshua Roy (recalled by the Canadiens).

The Rocket bounced back in style in Toronto, thawing their opponents 7-1. A night of three points for Logan Mailloux, and two goals for Xavier Simoneau and Nathan Légaré. A win that puts the Rocket back in the playoff picture.

– Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) February 10, 2024

It should also be said that Mattias Norlinder was missing for a good part of the game.

He was injured and never returned to the game. Justin Barron, on the other hand, was able to continue.

Justin Barron (injury) will return in the third period.

Mattias Norlinder (injury) will not return to action today.

Justin Barron (injury) will be back in the third period.

Mattias Norlinder (injury) won’t return to the game.

– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) February 10, 2024

This is a very important victory for the Rocket, who are currently fighting for a playoff spot.

With this win, the club momentarily takes fifth place in the Northern Section, aka the last playoff spot. I say momentarily, because the sixth-place Utica Comets and seventh-place Belleville Senators face off at 7pm.

So there’s sure to be a winner, and that winner will leapfrog Laval in the standings.

In a highly offensive game, Logan Mailloux once again distinguished himself, but this time he didn’t need to use his fists. He scored this goal:

Not a good idea to give Logan Mailloux so much space to shoot! pic.twitter.com/Kde7OC9xld

– RDS (@RDSca) February 10, 2024

And collected two more assists.

The star defenseman finished the game with three points and four shots on goal.

Clearly, it was Brandon Gignac and Joshua Roy who kept the Rocket from winning…

Brandon Gignac and Joshua Roy were holding the Rocket back, clearly. https://t.co/ZR7CFh87J9

– Andrew Zadarnowski (@AZadarski) February 10, 2024

Goalie Kasimir Kaskisuo earned his fifth win with the team, his first against his former team.

He made 28 saves on 29 shots.

Breaking news

– Will Jake Evans be traded?

Wouldn’t be surprised if Jake Evans moves before the deadline, given the lack of centers on the market. The offense hasn’t been there but he’s still a useful player, and cheap at 1.7M AAV. May be redundant if the Habs think Owen Beck can step into a bottom-6 role next year.

– HabsLinks (@HabsLinks) February 10, 2024

– ALEX OVECHKIN HAS SURPASSED WAYNE GRETZKY… for empty-net goals.

Alex Ovechkin has passed Wayne Gretzky for most empty net goals of all-time with 57!

(: @BR_OpenIce )pic.twitter.com/xxxWYfu7R4

– BarDown (@BarDown) February 10, 2024

– Nice comparison.

Stéphane Waite compares Juraj Slafkovsky to John LeClair! pic.twitter.com/GS2Nt9SN1O

– L’Antichambre (@Antichambre) February 10, 2024

– One to watch.

This 6-5 defenceman caught my eye in recent games featuring Russia’s U18 team, so I went and took a detailed look at his game in the MHL. I came away rather impressed:https://t.co/Pe3pSunbLS pic.twitter.com/63SHYIFKYK

– Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) February 10, 2024

– I can imagine.