The Laval Rocket and the Rockford IceHogs completed their game on Friday night despite a tornado warning, and the Canadiens’ farm club won 3-0.
The game was stopped in the first half with a warning on the scoreboard for the fans to seek shelter because there was a tornado threat nearby. But, the match resumed just over 40 minutes later once the threat was lifted.
Emil Heineman scored his fifth goal in as many games since joining the Rocket late in the second half to put his team ahead.
Mitchell Stephens added two goals to his tally in the third period and Cayden Primeau was perfect in net with 26 saves for the shutout.
The IceHogs’ special teams went a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill despite the underwhelming offensive performance.
Soderblom marked 37 saves on the 39 Laval shots he faced, and Rocket goaltender Cayden Primeau stopped all of Rockford’s 26 shots to earn the win.
The win allows the Rocket to pass the Cleveland Monsters in fifth place in the division with 66 points against 65. However, the Monsters have three more games to play.
The Rocket will be in action again on Saturday, this time against the Milwaukee Admirals. While the Hogs will finish the three-in-three weekend with the Chicago Wolves in Rosemont Saturday and at the BMO Sunday when the Grand Rapids Griffins visit.
“I think our mentality has to be to play with pace, attack, because this time of the year those things are important, pressure on the puck.” IceHogs coach Anders Sorensen said.
“Friday night at home, we want to set the tone early and often and then stay with it the whole game.” Sorensen added.
