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Laval is on their first notable losing streak of the season after dropping both games last week.  They’ve now lost four straight and have slipped to seventh place in the North Division.

The Week That Was

Oct. 23: Toronto 2, Laval 1 (OT) – Considering the Marlies were near the top of the league in both goals scored and allowed, it only seems fitting that this was a low-scoring nail-biter.  Cale Fleury picked up his first professional goal late in regulation but former Rocket centre Adam Cracknell potted the winner with less than a minute remaining in overtime.

Oct. 27: Rochester 3, Laval 2 – Things were looking up through 40 minutes when the Rocket had the lead and seemed to be in control of the game.  They then coughed up a trio of goals in the third – former Laval winger Yannick Veilleux had the eventual winner – and weren’t able to claw their way back despite having a dozen power play opportunities on the night.

StatPack

Skaters:

# Player GP G A +/- SOG PIMS
2 Maxim Lamarche 1 0 0 -1 0 5
3 Brett Kulak 2 1 0 -1 8 0
4 Adam Plant 1 0 0 -2 2 0
5 David Sklenicka 2 0 0 -2 2 0
6 Michal Moravcik 1 0 0 E 0 0
8 Ryan Sproul 1 0 0 E 5 0
10 Jake Evans 2 0 2 -3 6 0
11 Nikita Jevpalovs 2 0 0 -2 1 2
12 Lukas Vejdemo 2 0 0 E 2 0
14 Brett Lernout 2 0 0 -1 3 2
18 Kenny Agostino 2 1 0 -2 7 2
21 Byron Froese 2 0 1 -3 6 2
22 Alex Belzile 2 0 2 E 4 2
24 Daniel Audette 2 0 0 E 2 0
25 Michael McCarron 2 0 0 -1 2 0
26 Michael Chaput 2 0 1 E 4 0
27 Alexandre Alain 2 0 0 E 3 4
28 Alexandre Grenier 2 0 0 E 3 0
38 Cale Fleury 2 1 0 +1 4 2
39 Hunter Shinkaruk 2 0 0 -1 2 0

Goalies:

# Player Record GAA SV% SO
35 Charlie Lindgren 0-1-1 2.46 .894 0

Team Leaders:

Goals: Kenny Agostino (4)
Assists: Alex Belzile (6)
Points: Kenny Agostino (8)
+/-: Froese/Lernout/McCarron (+2)
PIMS: Michael McCarron (13)
Shots: Kenny Agostino (31)

News And Notes

– With Gustav Olofsson out for the year following shoulder surgery, the team added defenceman Ryan Sproul on a PTO deal after he secured his release from the Marlies.

– Michael Pezzetta was sent down to Maine of the ECHL to get some playing time.  Both he and Antoine Waked were recalled back to Laval on Monday.

– Goaltender Etienne Marcoux was sent to Indy of the ECHL as that’s who had his rights.  He was subsequently dealt to Brampton so Laval will have a player with them after all this season.

Lines from last game:

Agostino – Froese – Belzile
Chaput – McCarron – Grenier
Audette – Vejdemo – Alain
Shinkaruk – Evans – Jevpalovs

Kulak – Lernout
Sklenicka – Sproul
Lamarche – Fleury

The Week Ahead

Oct. 31: vs Belleville – It’s the first of a whole lot of meetings (12) between Montreal and Ottawa’s affiliates.  The Baby Sens aren’t off to a great start either but have been hit hard with injury recalls with Ottawa but are getting a strong performance from rookie Drake Batherson whose 11 points tie him for the AHL rookie lead.

Nov. 2/3: vs Utica – The Comets have certainly missed top prospect Thatcher Demko thus far as they have allowed nearly four goals per game through the first ten games of the season.  Considering Laval’s offence has dried up considerably as of late (just eight goals in the last four contests), that will certainly be welcomed as they look to get back on track.

Final Thought

The addition of Ryan Sproul largely flew under the radar but this is a very significant addition for Laval.  He’s someone that was near the top of my list if the Habs wanted to sign a veteran to a two-way contract as he has been very productive in the minors while holding his own down the stretch in New York last season.  As a right-shot player, he gives the Rocket something they’re sorely lacking while his shot is good enough to give them a weapon from the point on the power play.  While it’s disappointing that Gustav Olofsson is likely out long-term now, Sproul is a very good consolation prize.