Rocket in Good Spirits Ahead of Game 3 – Rocket Laval

Despite trailing 0–2 in the Eastern Conference Final, Pascal Vincent’s squad remains in high spirits

By Justin Vézina 

Charlotte, North Carolina – No one knows better than the Rocket players themselves that they’ll need to do more—and do it better—if they want to overcome the Charlotte Checkers.

But as big as the challenge may seem, the team is energized by it.

For the first time since mid-February, the Rocket has lost two straight games in regulation. In fact, it will try to avoid a three-game losing streak for the first time since November.

“That’s the beauty of the playoffs. You get to know your team on a different level. I have no reason not to believe in them—they’ve proven themselves all season long. But now we’re in a playoff situation, playing against a mature team with plenty of NHL experience. How our team responds will say a lot about its character,” said head coach Pascal Vincent.

So Laval finds itself in a highly unusual position. However, the club feels it has the tools it needs to win this series.

Before the game, Vincent confirmed that the Rocket will have to make do without Laurent Dauphin and William Trudeau for the duration of the trip to Charlotte—both are injured and did not travel with the team. As for Tyler Wotherspoon, the defenseman is in North Carolina with the team but did not practice with the group on Saturday afternoon.

BELIEVING IS THE FIRST STEP

If Rocket head coach Pascal Vincent were Ted Lasso instead, you might see a yellow sign with the word “Believe” written in blue marker above the locker room door.

But for the Laval squad, that isn’t necessary—belief is already in the room.

“We absolutely believe in our chances. We’re not too stressed. Obviously, we’d rather be in a better spot, but we know we can win games—we’ve done it all season. That’s what we’re going to do in Charlotte,” said Jared Davidson the day after Game 2.

The key in situations like this is to stay in the moment.

“Take it one period at a time, then one game at a time,” he added.

SILVER LININGS DESPITE THE SCORES

Despite a lopsided aggregate score of 10–3 for Charlotte over the first two games at Place Bell, the Rocket found positives in those performances.

“We had good stretches, but we’re lacking consistency. We’re having trouble getting to the net, so we’ll look at how we can adjust. That…