The Rocket Aim to Close the Series in Game 4 – Rocket Laval

Up 2-1 in the series against the Rochester Americans, the Laval Rocket will look to take advantage of Game 4 to end the series and punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Final

By Justin Vézina

Laval, Quebec – The Rocket will have their first chance to reach the Eastern Conference Final this Friday night. To secure their spot, they must defeat the Rochester Americans for the third and final time in this series.

Laval won the pivotal Game 3 on Wednesday thanks to a three-unanswered-goal surge in the third period and an inspired performance from the defense and Cayden Primeau.

Pascal Vincent’s team will want to build on that momentum and avoid a deciding game. If the Americans win, Game 5 will be held at Place Bell on Sunday, May 25, at 4:30 PM.

“THE HARDEST GAME TO WIN”

An old sports adage says the hardest game to win is the last one of every series. It’s a sentiment Owen Beck agrees with.

“When the other team is desperate, it becomes even harder to win. There won’t be any easy shifts, so we’ll have to give everything – and then some – to respond. It’s definitely the hardest game to win,” confirmed the Ontario rookie.

Rocket head coach Pascal Vincent echoed the same sentiment.

“It’s the hardest game to win, and that’s true in every sport. I expect a lot of desperation in their play tonight. I hope we’ve learned from the last series,” added Vincent, referring to Game 3 against the Cleveland Monsters that the Rocket failed to win.

PREPARING FOR A PUSHBACK

Given the scenario, the Rocket players expect a strong start from the visitors.

“They’re backed into a corner. Every one of their players will bring their best performance of the series. We’re expecting a big challenge tonight,” summarized Beck.

THREE STATISTICS

• In 13 career playoff games against the Americans, Alex Barré-Boulet has scored at a rate well over a point per game (17 points). He has not been held off the scoresheet in the current series against Rochester.
• Joshua Roy scored his first professional playoff goal on Wednesday.
• 15 of the 19 Rocket players who have played in these playoffs have scored.

STRAIGHT FROM THE LOCKER ROOM

“That’s one of the strengths of our team. We haven’t strayed from our core principles, so when you come back into the lineup, you know exactly what you need to do,” said Noel Hoefenmayer, who will return to the…