Laval Rocket vs Belleville Senators on January 15
The Laval Rocket will face the Belleville Senators on January 15 in what promises to be an intense and closely contested encounter in the AHL. With both teams pushing for valuable points in the standings, this game carries significant weight for their playoff aspirations. Laval, a team renowned for its disciplined defense and high-pressure forecheck, will need to prove their resilience against Belleville’s explosive offense. Meanwhile, the Senators are out to establish their dominance and chase a spot among the top teams in the division. This clash will test both teams’ ability to adapt under pressure, and the outcome could have lasting implications as we enter the latter stages of the regular season. The game will take place at the Place Bell, Laval, and the puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST. The ice will be buzzing, with the stakes high for both sides.
Laval Rocket: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Over their last five games, Laval has shown a solid balance of defensive discipline and offensive efficiency. They’ve posted a 3-2-0 record, with impressive wins over teams like the Syracuse Crunch and the Utica Comets. Their play revolves around a suffocating forecheck and structured neutral zone play, which forces turnovers and creates odd-man rushes. Laval's power play is efficient, converting 22.4% of their opportunities—an area they will look to exploit against a Belleville penalty kill that has struggled at times this season.
Defensively, the Rocket rely heavily on their top pairing, which consists of a blend of physicality and mobility. With a hit-per-game average of 25.7, Laval is not shy about using their size to wear down opponents. Their 5v5 possession metrics stand out, with the team averaging 56.8% Corsi, which ranks among the league leaders. This dominance in possession, paired with their ability to cycle the puck effectively, has made them a tough opponent to break down. However, their ability to close out games will be key. Laval has been known to struggle when holding onto a lead, a facet of their game that will be tested against a high-powered Belleville attack.
Key players for Laval include goaltender Cayden Primeau, who has a .917 save percentage this season and has been integral in keeping the Rocket competitive in close contests. On the offensive side, Justin Barron’s ability to join the rush from the blue line and contribute to both the power play and 5v5 play will be critical. Laval’s depth up front, particularly the line of Jesse Ylönen, Alex Belzile, and Rafael Harvey-Pinard, will be a key to their success. However, injury concerns over Ylönen’s condition after a minor knock could affect the team’s offensive balance. The status of his participation will be a significant factor heading into the game.
Belleville Senators: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Belleville enters this match in strong form, with a 4-1-0 record in their last five games, and will be looking to continue their surge toward the top of the standings. Their gameplay is built around an explosive offensive system, which ranks in the top five for goals per game. Belleville’s style relies on fast transitions, especially off turnovers, and their ability to stretch the ice quickly with aggressive breakouts. On special teams, their power play has been exceptional, operating at a 24.6% success rate. This potency with the man advantage will be crucial against a Laval team that can occasionally give up chances on the penalty kill.
The Senators’ offense is powered by their top scorer, forward Egor Sokolov, whose shot accuracy and ability to finish in tight spaces makes him a constant threat in the offensive zone. Belleville’s power forwards, including Scott Sabourin and Parker Kelly, add grit to the forward lines, making them difficult to handle physically in the cycle game. The Senators’ ability to control possession and pressure opponents with speed through the neutral zone sets them apart from many of their rivals.
Defensively, Belleville’s strength lies in their ability to break up plays quickly in their own zone and push the pace on counterattacks. Their defensemen are known for being active in the offensive zone, often pinching down to keep the pressure on, but this can lead to occasional defensive lapses, especially when the opponent gains possession through quick transition play. The goaltending of Mads Søgaard will be crucial—his .913 save percentage indicates a solid foundation, but his consistency will be tested by Laval's quick forechecking and high-volume shot mentality.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
The last few encounters between these two teams have been tightly contested. Over the past five meetings, Belleville holds a slight edge with a 3-2 record. The games have often been high-scoring affairs, with Laval finding success in controlling the tempo of the game through their physicality and structured defense, while Belleville has capitalized on speed and skill to break through. In their most recent clash, Laval edged out the Senators 4-3, with an overtime win in Belleville, proving that they can handle the pressure of tight contests.
Historically, the Senators have had the upper hand in terms of overall scoring, but Laval’s ability to shut down the Senators' power play in key moments has been a decisive factor in the Rocket's recent wins. The contrast in playing styles between these two teams makes for a fascinating tactical matchup, with Belleville’s high-speed, high-risk play often clashing against Laval’s more cautious, methodical approach.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
There are several key matchups that will likely decide the outcome of this game. First and foremost is the battle between Laval’s defense and Belleville’s offensive speed. Laval’s defensemen, including Xavier Ouellet and Corey Schueneman, will need to stay disciplined and avoid being caught out of position when Belleville’s forwards, such as Sokolov and Kelly, break into the zone at speed. How well Laval can neutralize Belleville’s transition game will be crucial to their success.
The second critical area will be special teams. Belleville’s power play has been one of the best in the league, and Laval will need to stay disciplined to avoid giving them too many opportunities. At the same time, Laval’s own power play will be an area to watch—can they capitalize on Belleville’s occasional lapses in discipline and create the space needed to get quality chances on Søgaard?
Finally, the goaltender battle will be pivotal. Primeau’s ability to stand tall against Belleville’s barrage of shots, particularly from their speedy wingers, will be a determining factor. Søgaard will need to match Primeau’s level of performance and shut down Laval’s top forwards to give his team a chance at victory.
Match Scenario and Prediction
This game is likely to be a high-tempo affair, with both teams pushing the pace early. Belleville will look to exploit their speed and offensive firepower, while Laval will try to control the play through their forecheck and defensive structure. Given the recent form of both teams, I expect this to be a tight contest, but one where Laval’s discipline in all zones will eventually give them the edge.
Final Prediction: Laval Rocket 4, Belleville Senators 3 (in regulation). I foresee a close, high-scoring affair, with Laval’s defensive discipline and special teams proving to be the difference. The key factor will be whether Belleville can match Laval’s physicality and whether their top players, including Sokolov, can create enough opportunities to crack Primeau.
Final Thoughts
This match will answer the question: Can Laval continue their strong defensive play and handle Belleville’s explosive offense? With playoff implications on the line, both teams will bring their best to the rink, making this a must-watch clash in the AHL.
