As the Laval Rocket, the AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, gears up to face the Toronto Marlies for the second consecutive game, some new developments have emerged.
Last night, hometown player Cedric Paré clinched the win for his team. Canadiens supporters will recall Paré’s name well, as he was involved in an injury to Patty Laine during a preseason match.
For today’s matchup, coach Pascal Vincent is implementing some interesting adjustments, aiming to enhance his lineup’s toughness and grit.
A newly formed fourth line will include Florian Xhekaj and Vincent Arseneau, creating a line that promises to be quite formidable.
Vincent Arseneau will step onto the ice against the Marlies, taking over Sean Farrell’s position after a challenging game last night. The Arseneau-Xhekaj-Tuch line is expected to present a tough challenge for their rivals.
Given the rivalry, physical play is likely to ensue between these two divisional opponents.
Arseneau, at 32 years old, stands 6 feet 2 inches and weighs 223 pounds. This season with the Rocket, he has recorded 5 points along with 31 penalty minutes in 15 games.
Florian Xhekaj, the younger brother of Arber, is 20 years old, 6 feet 4 inches tall, and weighs 195 pounds. He has tallied 4 points and 39 penalty minutes in 22 games this season.
The Laval Rocket aims to return to the win column, with Connor Hughes starting in goal against a well-known opponent. Veteran goalie Matt Murray, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, will be in net for the Marlies this afternoon, while Connor Hughes maintains his position with Luke Cavallin as his backup.
