Alex Belzile’s Four-Point Performance Leads Rocket to Victory over Utica

The Laval Rocket concluded the year 2025 with an impressive three-game winning streak, positioning themselves at the top of the AHL’s North Division. On their first game of 2026, they faced off against the Utica Comets, who were struggling at the bottom of the division. Historically, the Rocket have had troubles against the Comets, even with a solid 7-1-0 record against them last season.

Rocket’s Strong Lineup and Early Challenges

The Rocket maintained the same lineup as previous games, starting with goaltender Kaapo Kähkönen and backup Hunter Jones. The top line featured key players Sean Farrell, Laurent Dauphin, and Alex Belzile. Initially, the Comets dominated, outshooting the Rocket 7-1 in the opening minutes. However, Laval soon shifted momentum after a power play was earned through Will Dineen’s forechecking.

On the power play, Dawson received a pass from Dauphin and scored the first goal of the match. Despite leading, the Rocket faced penalties, including a slashing call on Joshua Roy. The Comets capitalized on the power play, tying the game at 2-2 with a goal from Angus Crookshank.

Rocket’s Fightback and Second Period Struggles

• First Period: Rocket led 1-0 but ended it down 2-1 after sloppy play.
• Second Period: The Comets scored early, making it 3-1, but Laval responded with a goal from Luke Tuch, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

Despite a strong push, Laval struggled to capitalize on power play opportunities. Nevertheless, their persistence paid off when Belzile scored a crucial goal, making it a tie game at 3-3 as they headed into the second intermission.

A Thrilling Third Period and Overtime

The final period began with challenges for the Rocket as a penalty put them on the defensive. The Comets took advantage, scoring to regain the lead at 4-3. Laval was frustrated but kept applying pressure. A late power play provided them another opportunity, and Belzile managed to score again, tying the game once more at 4-4.

The match advanced to overtime, where the Rocket faced a key moment: a power play after Roy was tripped. During this critical moment, Belzile made a pass that set up Jared Davidson for the game-winning goal, sealing a 5-4 victory for the Rocket.

Key Statistics of the Match

The Rocket’s next game against Utica is scheduled for Saturday at Place Bell, with puck drop set for 7 PM ET. Alex Belzile’s standout performance, including two goals, proved pivotal in their thrilling victory.