The Laval Rocket ended a three-game losing streak in Cleveland Saturday night by defeating the Monsters 7-4 thanks to a hat-trick by forward Lucas Condotta.
• Also read: Claude Giroux takes care of the Habs
• Also read: The Canadian has considered recalling Joshua Roy
Unlike the day before when it struggled to outsmart goaltender Jet Greaves, the Rocket put on a good offensive display in their second encounter in as many nights against farm club Columbus Blue Jackets.
Condotta was the biggest driver of his attack. He scored twice in the middle and then completed his first hat-trick in an empty net thanks to the generosity of Mitchell Stephens in front of an empty goal.
From the first half, Jean-François Houle’s men scored twice thanks to goals from Anthony Richard and Joël Teasdale.
After Laval’s fifth goal, scored by Riley Mckay – his first-ever in the American Hockey League (AHL) – the Ohio team’s coach decided to put Greaves in the shower, defeating him five times in 12 comebacks. Pavel Cajan was then hit once with four shots.
Representing the Rocket for the next AHL All-Star Game, Anthony Richard scored another goal in the game, his 22nd of the season.
Goalie Cayden Primeau stopped 18 of the 22 drives he faced in the win.
The Rocket will be back in action on Friday, February 3 when they travel to metropolitan Ontario to take on the Toronto Marlies at the Coca-Cola Coliseum.