For the second year in a row, the Habs staff and the many Quebec fans who traveled to Buffalo for the event didn’t have much to eat. At least the result was different this time.

The day after a 6-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, the Habs defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1 at LECOM Harborcenter.

Joshua Roy, Jan Mysak, Cédrick Guindon and Ty Smilanic found the Canadian’s goal in an empty net, in a game in which few players really stood out.

However, defenseman Logan Mailloux, the Canadian’s first choice in 2021, redeemed himself after a difficult performance against the Sabres.

The 20-year-old Ontario native played more confidently than the day before. He even used his skating to escape in the first period, but he failed to beat Bruins goaltender Samuel St-Hilaire.

“He was a little more physical. It is certain that it takes a little time to turn pro, recalled Laval Rocket head coach Jean-François Houle, who guides the Canadian’s hopes during the tournament. It wasn’t perfect, but he showed he had great skills and we could work with them.”

Struble played alongside Mailloux on the blue line. He was quickly mentioned by Houle when asked who he thought would be a good fit for him. Struble made good throws and wasn’t afraid to get physical on the ramp.

“I thought he was physical and committed,” Houle said. This is what needs to be proven: his commitment throughout the game.

“If I compare it to what he presented in Laval at the end of the year. He came from the NCAA and it’s a big jump to get to the pros. He is a guy in excellent physical shape. He’s an off-ice machine. I love how physical he was tonight. He is perhaps the one who has handed out the most hits.

Struble played in 11 games for the Rocket last spring, including two playoff games, after a four-year NCAA stint at Northeastern University.

He believes this experience has allowed him to quickly improve as a player and prepare for the transition to the professional ranks.

“The American Hockey League is a tough league. And it’s probably even harder to play in the NHL, Struble said. You face men. Everyone is strong and fast. Knowing that, I wanted to work even harder this summer.”

Houle even went so far as to say that Struble’s performance on Saturday helped Mailloux calm down and play better than he had the day before against the Sabres.

The coach added that he hopes Struble gains consistency this winter.

“It’s key for young guys in the American League,” Houle said. You have to be consistent so that the managers see you because they don’t come to every game. When they’re there, you want to be good.”

Montreal goaltender Quentin Miller had a solid game, stopping 26 shots. He also took advantage of the Bruins players’ lack of opportunism, who often missed the target on close-range opportunities.

Some of the Canadian’s top prospects present at the tournament were absent from this meeting, including forwards Owen Beck and Sean Farrell and defensemen William Trudeau and David Reinbacher.

Roy, Emil Heineman and Filip Mesar again had quiet games in attack. Still, Roy took advantage of a pass from Christopher Ortiz to increase the lead to 3-1 midway through the third period.

“Yesterday was a long time since we last played a ‘real’ game, so it was difficult to get into our rhythm,” Roy said. But the more things happen, the more we start to find our way.”

Trevor Kuntar scored the Bruins’ only goal. St-Hilaire made 22 saves.

The Canadian will conclude his stay in Buffalo with a duel against the Ottawa Senators on Monday afternoon.