Florian Xhekaj scores his first professional goal

Dans les Coulisses
Crédit:

On Friday evening, the Laval Rocket hosted the Utica Comets.

For the occasion, it was Jakub Dobes in net for Laval.

Here’s what tonight’s line-up looked like:

In the first period, the Rocket dominated their opponents, but only scored one goal.

It was defenseman Zack Hayes who opened the scoring when he went on the attack.

Josh Jacobs and Jared Davidson assisted on the goal.

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In the second period, the domination was less present, but the results were even more present.

Laval scored no less than two goals, including this one from Joshua Roy, on a beautiful “tic-tac-toe” on the powerplay.

Owen Beck and Alex Barré-Boulet got the ball rolling.

Aside from his three-point game last Friday, Roy had been blanked on every occasion until this game.

With this goal, he raised his point total to four in five games.

Moments later, another Québécois got on the scoresheet.

Laurent Dauphin gave his team a comfortable three-goal lead, accepting Xavier Simoneau’s pass.

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Comets fans had to wait until the third period to see their first goal, when Brian Halonen reduced the gap to two goals.

However, just over five minutes later, Florian Xhekaj scored his first professional goal.

A magnificent shot on landing deceived the vigilance of goalkeeper Nico Daws.

Riley Kidney and Luke Tuch picked up an assist on the goal.

The score was 4-1 in favor of the Rocket.

Shortly after the goal, however, we learned that Filip Mesar was injured and would not return to the game.

Once again, another member of the Habs organization goes down fighting.

Excluding this injury, everything seemed to be going well for the Rocket in the third period, but the Comets tried to come back from behind.

Filip Engaras midway through the third period (assisted by young Seamus Casey and Colton White) brought the teams back to a two-goal game.

And with just over a minute and a half to go in the final twenty minutes, Justin Dowling cut the gap to just one short goal.

Seamus Casey picked up his second assist of the game, while Nolan Foote picked up the other assist on his team’s third goal.

Dobes held the fort late in the game with 27 saves on 30 shots, and the Rocket won 4-3.

The two teams will cross swords again tomorrow night, this time at the Comets’ home.

We can expect to see Connor Hughes in front of the cage for this duel.

Overtime

– Michael Hage gave his team victory in overtime in an exhibition match.

– Well done.

– Listen now.

– A very nice slap in the face.