Florian Xhekaj Helps Laval Open Series With 3-1 Win
The Laval Rocket beat the Toronto Marlies 3-1 in Game 1, and xhekaj supplied the goal that put Laval in front. The win gave Laval a 1-0 series lead after Toronto gave up two defensive-zone turnovers that turned into goals.
Xhekaj Punishes Pezzetta
Florian Xhekaj scored on Michael Pezzetta’s turnover from below the goal line, lifting a shot into the roof of the net. Laval had already handled an early Toronto push and a physical start, then grabbed control with eight minutes remaining in the first period.
Toronto had opened with a 5-on-3 power play for 52 seconds after a delay-of-game penalty, and Bo Groulx had a one-timer chance from the right circle. Dennis Hildeby made a sharp save on Laurent Dauphin early, but Laval’s finish on its first major break changed the pace of the game.
Hildeby Keeps Toronto Close
Hildeby answered less than a minute after Laval scored with a double save on Jared Davidson and Vinzenz Rohrer. That stop kept Toronto within one, even as the Marlies kept pressing through the rest of the first period and into the second and third.
Still, the Marlies could not cash in when they needed a response. Marshall Rifai took two undisciplined penalties in the second period, and Toronto also wasted an early power play before Reese Johnson was stopped on a breakaway after a stretch pass from Rifai.
Kähkönen Handles the Finish
Kaapo Kähkönen closed the door on Johnson’s breakaway with a glove save, and Laval protected the lead from there. Toronto kept generating pressure, but the Rocket were more clinical when mistakes opened the ice.
Easton Cowan’s turnover was the other defensive-zone mistake that led to a Laval goal, and the Marlies paid for both errors in a series opener they largely spent chasing. Laval now holds the early edge, while Toronto has to clean up the puck management that cost it Game 1 at Laval.
