As a frustrating search for consistency continued for the Laval Rocket following a weekend split with the Rochester Americans — an 8-1 win and a 5-1 loss — they faced the divisional rival Toronto Marlies on Wednesday night, who came into the game with drastically different fortunes.
Laval entered the game minus team captain Alex Belzile, who was replaced by Joël Teasdale on the fourth line. Also drawing back in was defenceman Alex Green on the third pair, while Cayden Primeau got the start in net.
Neither side looked overtly dangerous through the opening minutes, but the Marlies were the first to break the deadlock.