(Laval) The two home defeats of the Laval Rocket last weekend showed the team what it needs to correct. And what she must accept.
The approximately 18,200 spectators who occupied the stands at Place Bell during the two clashes against the Abbotsford Canucks, Friday and Saturday, saw a group full of promise, but which presented glaring deficiencies on defense.
Head coach Jean-François Houle will certainly not celebrate these two losses, but he thinks that this little slap in the face to start the season will make his men better.
“We gave them easy goals. It must be difficult to score against us. We have to be better defensively and commit fewer turnovers. I think these two defeats can take us to another level. Guys don’t try to lose, but losing two games in a row at home, it straightens you up a little,” observed Houle on Monday after training at Place Bell.
Obviously, the Rocket’s head coach can work with his staff to improve the defensive deficiencies, but when it comes to the inexperience and lack of chemistry that lies before him, there’s only time. can sort things out.
In each of its two games this weekend, the Rocket used eight rookies, including the two goalkeepers. Not to mention the fact that some young people themselves had to give up their place to other players in the lineup.
Houle admits that the current situation is particular, but he is hopeful that stability will settle in little by little.
“We have several players in the lineup at the moment so we’re trying to be fair to everyone. It’s not ideal for a head coach, but we play in a development league and that’s what we will do. Afterwards, there will be injuries, recalls, it will create space and it will return to normal,” mentioned Houle, adding that the withdrawals of Xavier Simoneau and Lucas Condotta during Saturday’s match had no link to their performance.
The head coach is not at the end of his troubles, as he lost the services of young striker Emil Heineman on Saturday. The Swede came into contact with a referee early in the second period and did not return to the match.
After causing a nice surprise during a short stint in the American League last season, Heineman completed an effective trio with Mitchell Stephens and Joshua Roy before falling in combat. Houle does not know when he will find his attacker.
“We don’t know if it’s a long-term injury. There will be further tests today (Monday) and we will know more about the injury, he said. He’s one of our good offensive players so it will change the lines, but it will give other players an opportunity. »
It will be interesting to see if the combination of Roy, Joel Armia and Stephens will be used again against the Rochester Americans on Wednesday night in Laval.
Houle doesn’t seem too worried about his offense running at full speed despite the loss of Heineman, but he wants the defense to take it to another level. Especially against a fast opponent like the Americans.
“They have selected several good players in the draft in recent years and they are a very good team. We played against them in the rookie tournament and they were extremely fast. It will be a good test for our young defenders. We need to play better defensively and have better possession of the puck,” noted Houle.
The Americans will be in Laval for a two-game series. The second will take place Friday evening.
After a very good rookie season with the Rocket, in 2022-23, and a magnificent camp with the Montreal Canadiens last month, William Trudeau was one of the defenders who experienced difficulties this weekend.
The 21-year-old Quebecer committed a few turnovers on Friday and seemed on edge while receiving two roughing penalties. He was removed from training on Saturday.
Trudeau had understood the message even before knowing that he was going to watch his teammates from the stands.
“I watched videos of my match with the coaches and saw that I wasn’t playing the same way as last year. I just need to erase and start again. I know how I am capable of playing. At times I was a little too aggressive.
Houle did not hide his disappointment on Friday evening, but he is confident that his young defender will quickly get back on track, as he showed previously.
“William is a very good defender. Sometimes you just need a little reboot. He’s going to be better because he did it. It’s more the mental aspect as far as he’s concerned. He tried to do a little too much and he just needs to get back to the quiet William Trudeau we know,” expressed the Rocket head coach.
