- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
The Laval Rocket overcame a four-goal deficit to defeat the Belleville Senators 5-4 in overtime.
Belleville built its lead by the second period, with Kasper Halttunen recording a hat trick and adding a fourth goal at 5:15 of the middle frame. Laval coach Daniel Jacob elected to keep goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen in net despite the 4-0 hole. Sasha Pastujov put the Rocket on the board at 11:26 of the second period on an assist from Luke Mittelstadt.
Laval dominated the third period with goals from Brett Berard, Hunter McKown and Filip Mesar to force extra time. Mittelstadt scored the winner at 4:45 of overtime and finished with one goal and two assists, earning second-star honors. He has 10 points in five games, leading the AHL, and ranks fourth with seven assists.
The Rocket sit first in the North Division and Eastern Conference, third overall in the AHL after five games. They were without several players recalled to the NHL, including Florian Xhekaj, Adam Engstrom, Jacob Fowler and David Reinbacher, while Bryce Pickford continues shoulder surgery rehab. Laval faces the 3-0-0 Utica Comets on Saturday.
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).