Pure Dominance From Rocket on Friday Night

The offence was actually led by top defensive prospect David Reinbacher, who was the team’s only player to get 3 points with his 3-assist performance on the night. It was exactly the type of performance the 21-year-old Austrian needed to silence those who think he can never be an NHLer. Although it was only one game, Reinbacher proved that he could be a leader on defence with Adam Engstrom out due to injury. It will be interesting to see if he can carry this momentum into his next upcoming games, such as Saturday against the Syracuse Crunch, but he definitely can have big performances, and he shouldn’t be given up on too soon.

Despite the onslaught of goals scored by the Rocket, the opening frame didn’t show any sign of that coming, as there was only a single goal scored by Tobie Bisson in the first period. Bisson intercepted a pass by a defenseman on the Americans before ripping the puck past Levi from inside the left circle to open the scoring.

It would be the Americans who responded, as they would tie the game with a goal by Mason Geertsen just 2:14 into the 2nd period. Geertsen pinched in and took a pass in the slot before he deked out Rocket netminder Kaapo Kahkonen for just his 2nd goal of the season.

The Rocket took the lead just 8 seconds later when Joshua Roy got on the board. The goal occurred when Roy took a pass in the slot from Reinbacher, where he would be stopped on the initial shot, but he followed his chance and was able to give the Rocket the lead once again.

Unfortunately, the Americans would get a power play where they would capitalize and tie the game up once again thanks to Riley Fiddler-Schultz. Luckily, the Rocket would be able to answer back very quickly once again.

Vincent Arseneau would score just 14 seconds after the Americans tied the game at 2. Arseneau intercepted a puck in front of the net and was instantly able to beat Levi to put the Rocket back up.

The Americans would score another goal just over two minutes later and tie the game for the 3rd time of the period. Gavin Beyreuther was the player that gave the Americans hope for the final time of the night. Following that goal, the Rocket would completely take over the game.

It would take a little longer than the previous responses by the Rocket, but 2:43 after the Americans tied it, Sammy Blais would score on the power play. Blais was left alone in front of the net when Sean Farrell gave him a cross-ice pass, which led to Blais deking out Levi to give the Rocket a 4-3 lead.

Blais wasn’t done there, as a few minutes later, he would drive up the ice and then snipe the puck blocker side on Levi to give the Rocket a 5-3 lead heading into the 3rd period.

Just 11 seconds into the 3rd period, Roy would send the puck back to Alex Belzile on the rush, where he would extend the lead to 6-3 for the Rocket with his team-leading 25th goal of the year.

Next to join the goal-scoring party was Filip Mesar, who made it a 7-3 game a few minutes later. Reinbacher squeaked a puck through the slot to Mesar, who was able to beat Levi top corner. That goal would be the last that Levi would allow as he was pulled after Mesar’s goal.

The goaltending change didn’t stop the goal scoring, as Owen Beck would beat the Americans’ backup Cameron Rowe with an individual effort to give the Rocket an incredible 8-3 lead.

Kevin Dineen would be the last player to get on the scoresheet. He would score after tipping a Reinbacher shot from the point to make it a 9-3 Rocket rout. This game was an example of just how potent the Rocket’s offence can be. Not to mention, they did this without one of their top point getters in Adam Engstrom.

The Rocket will be looking to continue the momentum from Friday night when they head to Syracuse to take on the Crunch on Saturday night.