(Buffalo) On the one hand, Jayden Struble arrived at the rookie tournament in enviable conditions. A private driver took him from Montreal to the city of Goo Goo Dolls.
But on the other hand, it was far from ideal. A logistical glitch prevented him from taking the bus with his teammates in Brossard on Thursday noon. He only arrived in Buffalo on Friday evening, while the CH faced the Sabres. He therefore missed the first morning training and the first game, so that he experienced his baptism of fire on Saturday afternoon, against the Bruins.
It obviously didn’t seem too obvious if we rely on the response from Jean-François Houle, who was asked what stood out in the 4-1 victory for the Canadian’s hopes.
“I liked Struble’s match,” he said from the outset. “He was robust, committed. You have to show that. »
We often talk about players who should stand out in this type of tournament. Struble, even though he only has nine games of professional experience, had to stand out. He’s 22 years old, he just played four seasons in a good NCAA program and most importantly, he’s a phenomenal athlete. At 6 ft and 202 lbs, he has the size to win, especially against opponents who are often younger and lighter. Eight of the Bruins’ 12 forwards weighed less than 190 pounds.
And it showed. Struble provided the kind of physical presence that will reassure any goalie behind him.
“He was very physical tonight, maybe he had the most hits tonight. I liked that,” Houle added.
Despite his enviable physique and his status as a 2nd round pick, Struble comes far in the CH’s very long hierarchy at left defense.
His partner for Saturday’s match, on the other hand, has the advantage of being right-handed, where the Habs are less spoiled. Except Logan Mailloux can’t expect a fast track to the NHL just because he shoots from the right and is a 1st round pick.
After a rather painful performance on Friday, Mailloux showed more confidence on Saturday, even if it was not perfect. It should also be noted that the Bruins are far from deploying a pool of prospects as exciting as the Sabers of the day before.
“He found his bearings a little more, he was calmer. He had less stress. I found it a lot more relaxed,” said. Swell.
Despite his difficulties the day before, Mailloux did not lose his confidence in possession of the puck. In the same sequence, at the start of the match, he attempted three offensive maneuvers. All three failed, but the young man did not seem discouraged or bothered afterward.
Invisible on Friday, Joshua Roy was much more assertive on Saturday. The Beauceron winger scored in addition to setting up Jan Mysak’s goal.
Filip Mesar also looked better than the day before. One difference from Friday’s match: he played in the center rather than on the wing, and Houle suggested that the Slovak was more comfortable in the middle.
The first line center on Friday, Owen Beck, was given a leave of absence, while Riley Kidney, second center on Friday, was moved to the wing on Saturday. In short, the hierarchy at the center was different and Mesar took advantage of it.
The one that the CH drafted in 26th place in 2022 must nevertheless prove that at 19 years old, despite a frail frame, he can hold his own in the American League starting this season. This will be his challenge in the coming weeks.
Kidney faces the same challenge, but he’s 20 years old. But whether in the center on Friday or on the wing on Saturday, he struggles to showcase himself. As physical play is not his cup of tea, he must produce offense in order to find a role.
Mysak, Roy and Cédrick Guindon scored in the victory. Forward Ty Smilanic added the insurance goal into an empty net, following a blunder by the Bostonians.
Quentin Miller blocked 26 of 27 shots to earn the win. The Quebecer only gave in to Trevor Kuntar, who beat him with a backhand shot. This Kuntar is the son of Les Kuntar, a former goalkeeper who the most enthusiastic supporters of the Canadian will remember for the six games he played with the club in 1993-1994.
Rested for Saturday’s match: forwards Beck, Sean Farrell, Florian Xhekaj and John Parker-Jones, as well as defenders David Reinbacher and William Trudeau, and goalkeeper Jakub Dobes.
The Canadian will hold a short training session on Sunday and will conclude the tournament on Monday afternoon, facing the hopefuls of the Senators.
A word of humor in closing. Jean-François Houle was giving an answer about defender Miguël Tourigny when his tongue split.
“I thought he competed, for a little guy. Well… Excuse the word! For a slightly smaller player. He goes into the corners and competes, a bit like Simoneau. »
At 5’8, Tourigny can indeed be described as short. But at 21 and with a year of professional hockey in Europe under his belt, he’s starting to get old for a “little guy”!
