It was not the easiest of years for rookie head coach Joël Bouchard and his Laval Rocket. Injuries, recalls, and waiver claims decimated what looked like a promising roster at the start of the season. Bouchard and his band of weary men soldiered on, however, learning lessons, taking their lumps as they went, and finding positives where they could.
Against the Syracuse Crunch on Friday night, the Rocket learned one more harsh lesson as their opponent’s high-powered attack picked apart the depleted Laval side. Connor LaCouvee was chased early in the game, and Michael McNiven did the best he could in relief.