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- calendar_today October 12, 2026
Rocket Continue Strong Road Trip
The Laval Rocket extended their winning streak with a decisive 5-2 victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack, who sit atop the Atlantic Division. This win marks the Rocket's third straight triumph during their four-game road trip, positioning them firmly in the tight North Division race of the AHL.
Early Challenges and Penalty Trouble
Rookie head coach Daniel Jacob kept the winning lineup intact, including Kaapo Kähkönen as the starting goaltender. The Rocket’s game began on a difficult note, with Ethan Samson taking a slashing penalty just 92 seconds in. The team soon faced a challenging five-on-three penalty kill situation but managed to withstand Hartford’s initial pressure, thanks to strong efforts from Braden Haché and Owen Beck.
Despite successfully killing penalties, a stretch pass broke through Laval's defense, allowing Anton Blidh of the Wolf Pack to score the opening goal.
Dauphin and Mittelstadt Spark Comeback
The Rocket quickly sought to equalize on the power play, generating several good opportunities through Samuel Poulin and Beck. Offensive momentum grew, and a precise sequence led to Luke Mittelstadt pinching in from the blue line and firing a quick shot to tie the game late in the first period, following assists from David Reinbacher and Laurent Dauphin.
Laval seized the lead during a four-minute power play drawn by Alex Belzile. Mittelstadt created a rebound, and Dauphin capitalized, with his shot deflecting off Josh Nadeau’s skate into the net for a 2-1 advantage.
Special Teams Play a Key Role
Throughout the second period, the Rocket penalty killers performed strongly, mitigating Hartford threats and giving the offense chances to increase the lead. Laval’s discipline was tested as they continued to take penalties, yet their penalty kill unit, led by Beck, limited the Wolf Pack’s chances.
With back-to-back Hartford penalties late in the period, Laval found themselves with a five-on-three power play. Persistent offensive zone pressure resulted in Sasha Pastujov deflecting Dauphin’s shot into the net, extending the lead to 3-1 as the period ended.
Rocket Control Pace and Seal the Win
The Rocket began the third period with a two-man advantage but struggled to convert, partly due to Belzile's absence after taking a stick to the face. Despite this, Laval stifled Hartford’s attempts to close the gap, maintaining control and capitalizing on Wolf Pack mistakes.
Laurent Dauphin further contributed by scoring his first goal of the game and adding to his three assists, making it 4-1. Although Hartford narrowed the score to 4-2 with just 23 seconds remaining after an errant play by Kähkönen, Laval quickly responded. Xavier Simoneau's aggressive forecheck forced a turnover, and he slotted home the Rocket’s fifth goal to restore their three-goal lead.
Simoneau’s actions put Laval back on the penalty kill shortly after, but the penalty-killing unit held strong to secure the victory.
Looking Ahead
With this 5-2 win, Laval concludes another successful chapter in their early-season road trip and maintains momentum in the North Division. Their next matchup is the first of ten meetings with the Belleville Senators, as they look to build on their strong start and continue their winning streak.
- Final Score: Laval 5, Hartford 2
- Key Players: Laurent Dauphin (1 goal, 3 assists), Luke Mittelstadt (1 goal, strong defensive play), Xavier Simoneau (1 goal)
- Special Teams: Effective penalty kill and power play efforts contributed strongly to the Rocket win
Source: habseyesontheprize.com.
