
The game pitted Pascal Vincent’s team against the Rochester Americans, who recently surpassed the Rocket in the standings.
After today’s games, Rochester and Hershey will have played two more games than Laval.
The lineup in Rochester
The lineup in Rochester #GoRocket @PizzaPizzaLtd pic.twitter.com/CEL6ORsx55— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) February 16, 2025
First, it was Connor Hughes who got the start, but it was also Logan Nijhoff’s first game with the Rocket.
Alex Barré-Boulet opened the scoring, on a pass from Sean Farrell.
https://t.co/oQDmFMrOxe pic.twitter.com/ebOxMzGvqb
— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) February 16, 2025
It was the 12th goal of the season for Arber’s little brother, which is quite impressive considering he is a rookie and has had very few chances on the power play.
Florian Xhekaj now has 12 goals and over 100 penalty minutes in his rookie season. That’s excellent for a young player who has primarily played on a 4th line and practically no power play time. He scored while shorthanded this afternoon.
— Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) February 16, 2025
Unfortunately, the two-goal lead didn’t last, as the Americans closed the gap in the middle of the first period before tying the game early in the second period.
Two quick goals from Owen Beck put the Rocket ahead 4-2 at the end of the 2nd period in Rochester. Quebec goalie Devon Levi is pulled after allowing 4 goals on 11 shots.
— Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) February 16, 2025
His two goals were not the most electrifying, but it’s the result that counts, as they say.
Beck, well placed
Beck in the right spotpic.twitter.com/D5Bc16xuvf
— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) February 16, 2025
And there we go!!
Here we gohttps://t.co/4YlAPbzI7c pic.twitter.com/F51Qf1cutH
— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) February 16, 2025
The duo of Sean Farrell and Alex Barré-Boulet struck again.
Farrell
Barré-Boulet #GoRocket https://t.co/f6bRb1DXyc pic.twitter.com/o3EFWMRPnm
— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) February 16, 2025
In Brief
– This is not the first time I say it, but you cannot win a Stanley Cup if Marner (and Matthews) are part of your core. The Leafs need to make changes at that level.
The Leafs will never win anything with this core. Marner hides when it counts. https://t.co/mL0KHtpLjm
— Max Lalonde (@MaxLalonde_) February 16, 2025
– Interesting.
If Canada or Finland does not win in regulation tomorrow, Sweden will have a chance to advance to the final.
Asked if he will adjust his lineup based on the importance of their game, Sullivan said his decisions will be based on what’s best for his team https://t.co/WuuYFhjJ7J
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 16, 2025
– Again today, I still can’t believe that completely crazy start to the game.
Brady Tkachuk wanted to know what the refs thought of the triple tilt to start USA-Canada
(via @NHL) pic.twitter.com/ZCiXCzPCPl
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 16, 2025
– A good pick-up for the Blue Jays.
He could bring a left-handed presence to the bullpen. https://t.co/SY9JbQKkU7
— Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) February 16, 2025
– The Kansas City Chiefs are putting pressure on Travis Kelce to decide if he wants to continue his career in the NFL or not.
He has less than a month to decide.
https://t.co/2A1OBHZtoS
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) February 16, 2025