Cayden Primeau gave the Springfield Thunderbirds nothing in a 2-0 win over Laval Rocket, who recorded their first win in their third game of the regular season on Wednesday night at Bell Place.

Jean-François Houle’s men took revenge on the team that defeated them in last season’s Eastern Conference Finals. The clash of the two powers had required a seventh game, won by the “T-Birds” to slip into the Calder Cup final. They were defeated by the Chicago Wolves in five games there.

Primeau was brilliant in the playoffs and regained his excellent face against this rival. He blocked all 34 of the visitors’ shots, but for a long time it was a duel between the goalkeepers. On his side of the rink, Joel Hofer frustrated the Rocket players with 28 shots. He only gave up once, in front of Gabriel Bourque.

Always the same

After a more hesitant debut at Laval last season, the latter seems to have found his peace as he netted for the third time in as many games. Otto Leskinen dynamically entered territory before returning to the Quebecer who came off the left of the net. The 32-year-old veteran fired a shot that rolled over Hofer.

Bourque’s net after four minutes in the third section finally made the difference, but the rocket had hit even earlier.

Just ten seconds after kick-off, a shot from Danick Martel hit the outside of the net before bouncing off the top. In the general confusion as seven fielders surrounded Hofer’s half-circle, Brandon Gignac slotted the puck into the cage. After the goal came, the referees finally changed their decision after watching the video recording.

It all ended well for the Montreal Canadiens, who confirmed their victory with defender Tory Dello’s hit in an empty net.

The team will now travel to Pennsylvania to face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Friday.