Game Summary
Final Score Recap – Rochester Americans vs. Laval Rocket – November 16, 2024
Score Summary:
- Laval Rocket: 4
- Rochester Americans: 1
Key Game Statistics
Shots on Goal:
- Laval Rocket: 18
- Rochester Americans: 26
Power Play Performance:
- Laval Rocket Power Play Goals: 0 out of 2 opportunities
- Rochester Americans Power Play Goals: 0 out of 3 opportunities
Amerks vs. Rocket: Game Date and Location
Location: Blue Cross Arena
Date: November 16, 2024
Rocket Soar Past Americans with Dauphin’s Hat Trick and Hughes’ Heroics
The Laval Rocket defeated the Rochester Americans 4-1 at the Blue Cross Arena on Saturday night, powered by Laurent Dauphin’s hat trick and a stellar 25-save performance from goaltender Connor Hughes. Jack Rathbone opened the scoring early for Rochester, but Laval responded with four unanswered goals, including two empty-netters in the final minutes. Despite outshooting Laval 26-18, the Americans struggled to capitalize on their chances, as Hughes and the Rocket defense held firm.
Amerks vs. Rocket: Period-by-Period Breakdown:
Rochester and Laval Trade Goals in Tight First Period
1st Period Breakdown:
The opening frame featured an evenly matched battle between the Laval Rocket and the Rochester Americans, with each team finding the back of the net.
Rochester wasted no time setting the tone early, as Jack Rathbone tallied his second goal of the season just 2:45 into the game. Rathbone’s quick strike gave the Amerks a 1-0 lead and energized the home crowd.
The Rocket responded late in the period, capitalizing on a shorthanded opportunity. With just 21 seconds left in the frame, Laurent Dauphin netted his third goal of the season, assisted by Vincent Arseneau, to even the score at 1-1. This critical goal highlighted Laval’s resilience and ability to turn defense into offense.
Special teams played a minor role in the first, with Rochester unable to convert on their lone power play after a roughing penalty by Arber Xhekaj at 18:57.
In terms of shots, Rochester held a clear advantage, outshooting Laval 10-6. Both goaltenders were tested, with Laval’s Hughes stopping 9 of 10 shots and Rochester’s Houser making 5 saves on 6 attempts.
Amerks vs. Rocket: First-Period Goals and Penalties
Amerks Goals:
- Jack Rathbone (2) [Watch Highlight]
Assists: Unassisted
Rocket Goals:
- Laurent Dauphin (3)
Assists: Vincent Arseneau (2)
First Period Penalties:
- 18:57 – Rocket: Florian Xhekaj Roughing, 2 min PP
Dauphin’s Late Goal Lifts Laval Ahead After the Second
2nd Period Breakdown:
The second period was tightly contested, with neither team breaking through for most of the frame until the final second. Laval’s Laurent Dauphin continued his standout performance, scoring his second goal of the night (and fourth of the season) with just 0.1 seconds remaining on the clock. Assisted by William Trudeau and Xavier Simoneau, Dauphin’s buzzer-beater gave the Rocket a 2-1 lead heading into the third period.
Discipline was an issue for both sides, with a flurry of penalties at 8:25, including roughing infractions on Riley Kidney and William Trudeau for Laval and Nikita Novikov for Rochester. Later, Rochester’s Mason Jobst was called for interference at 14:01, giving Laval a power play, though neither team converted with the man advantage.
Rochester edged Laval in shots during the second period, 9-4, but Laval’s Hughes continued his strong play in net, bringing his total to 18 saves on 19 shots. Rochester’s Houser made 8 saves on 10 shots to keep the game within reach.
Amerks vs. Rocket: Second-Period Goals and Penalties
Amerks Goals: None
Rocket Goals:
- Laurent Dauphin (4)
Assists: William Trudeau (3), Xavier Simoneau (5)
Second Period Penalties:
- 08:25 – Rocket: Riley Kidney Roughing, 2 min
- 08:25 – Rocket: William Trudeau Kneeing, 2 min PP
- 08:25 – Amerks: Nikita Novikov Roughing, 2 min
- 14:01 – Amerks: Mason Jobst Interference, 2 min PP
Dauphin’s Hat Trick Powers Laval Past Rochester
3rd Period Breakdown:
The Laval Rocket sealed their 4-1 victory over the Rochester Americans with a dominant third period, capped by two empty-net goals. Laval’s Linus Lindström extended the lead to 3-1 at 17:46, assisted by Vincent Arseneau and Xavier Simoneau. Just minutes later, Laurent Dauphin completed his hat trick with an empty-netter at 19:41, putting an exclamation point on a stellar performance.
Laval’s goaltender, Hughes, stood tall, finishing the night with 25 saves on 26 shots. Rochester’s Houser stopped 14 of 16 shots before being pulled for the extra attacker late in the period.
Tensions flared early in the third with a fight between Laval’s Brett Hayes and Rochester’s Jack Rathbone at 2:43, but the Rocket maintained composure to lock down their lead.
With Laval converting on late opportunities and defending superbly, they leave Blue Cross Arena with a decisive win, fueled by Dauphin’s three-goal night and key contributions from Arseneau and Simoneau.
Amerks vs. Rocket: Third-Period Goals and Penalties
Amerks Goals: None
Rocket Goals:
- Gustav Lindström (4)
Assists: Vincent Arseneau (3), Xavier Simoneau (6) - Laurent Dauphin (5)
Assists: Unassisted
Third Period Penalties:
- 02:43 – Rocket: Zack Hayes, Served by Jacob Perreault Interference, 2 min PP
- 02:43 – Rocket: Zack Hayes Fighting, 5 min
- 02:43 – Amerks: Jack Rathbone Fighting, 5 min
- 02:43 – Amerks: Vsevolod Komarov Hooking, 2 min PP
Three Stars of the Game
1. Laurent Dauphin – Laval Rocket – G: 3 | A: 0
Dauphin delivered a standout performance, recording a hat trick to lead Laval to victory. His timely goals, including a shorthanded effort and an empty-net finisher, showcased his offensive prowess and clutch ability in critical moments.
2. Connor Hughes (#31) – Laval Rocket – SA: 26 | SV: 25
Hughes was a brick wall in net for Laval, stopping 25 of 26 shots to secure the win. His composure under pressure and key saves, particularly during Rochester’s surges, were instrumental in keeping Laval ahead.
3. Jack Rathbone – Rochester Americans – G: 1 | A: 0
Rathbone was a bright spot for Rochester, scoring their lone goal just 2:45 into the game. His early contribution energized the home team, and he continued to be a presence on the ice throughout the night.
Key Takeaways from Amerks vs. Rocket
1. Laurent Dauphin’s Dominance
Dauphin was the star of the night, scoring three of Laval’s four goals, including a shorthanded tally and an empty-netter to cap off his hat trick. His ability to capitalize on critical opportunities proved to be the difference-maker.
2. Rochester’s Missed Opportunities:
Despite outshooting Laval 26-18 and generating multiple power-play chances, the Americans couldn’t solve Hughes beyond Jack Rathbone’s early goal. Their inability to convert in key moments was a major factor in the loss.
Next Game: Amerks Look to Rebound in Key Divisional Clash Against Marlies
The Rochester Americans enter Sunday’s matchup against the Toronto Marlies with a strong 7-1-2-2 record, placing them third in the highly competitive North Division. Sunday’s game will be crucial as they look to close the gap on the division leaders and assert their standing against a Marlies squad eager to defend their home ice. A win in Toronto could set the tone for a strong push through the rest of November.
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