Eklund Shines in North American Debut, Lifts Islanders Past Laval in Shootout

Victor Eklund arrived in North America and wasted no time making his presence felt. The rookie scored the lone successful shootout attempt in Bridgeport's 3-2 victory over the Laval Rocket, capping a third-period comeback that delivered a crucial extra point for the Islanders in the congested Atlantic Division standings.

Adam Beckman set the tone immediately, converting a Liam Foudy feed for his 26th goal of the season just 55 seconds into the first period. The marker was also the 100th of Beckman's AHL career. Laval answered 30 seconds later when Luke Mittelstadt evened the score with the first professional goal of his career, turning Bridgeport's fast start into a 1-1 tie before two minutes had elapsed.

The Rocket seized their first lead at 7:13 of the second period. After a turnover in the offensive zone, Samuel Blais collected the puck and slid a cross-crease pass to Alex Belzile, who finished for his 27th of the season and a 2-1 Laval advantage.

Bridgeport appeared headed for a regulation loss until defenseman Marshall Warren's point shot at 16:42 of the third period took a fortunate bounce and snuck past goaltender Kaapo Kähkönen. The tying goal sent the game to overtime, where neither side scored through the five-minute extra session.

In the shootout, Eklund delivered a precise snipe over Kähkönen's shoulder, the lone successful attempt of the round, to close out the 3-2 final. He recorded only one shot on goal through regulation and overtime, making the conversion all the more emphatic as an opening statement in his North American career.

Laval outshot Bridgeport 32-24, but that shootout point could prove decisive as the Islanders push toward the playoff window. Bridgeport returns home Wednesday, April 1, at 10:30 a.m. for the second School Day game of the season against the Hershey Bears. Tickets are available at bridgeportislanders.com.