Rocket Eliminated from the Playoffs – Rocket Laval

Despite an inspired effort and leaving everything on the ice, Laval was defeated 3-2 by the Charlotte Checkers, bringing the club’s season to an end

By Justin Vézina

Charlotte, North Carolina – The Rocket put up a fierce fight, despite a depleted and short-handed lineup. However, giving absolutely everything wasn’t enough to beat the Checkers.

Laval suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss on Tuesday night, with the winning goal coming with just under two minutes left in regulation.

“We asked the guys to believe. They did. We asked them to give whatever was left in the tank. They did. I think we deserved a better fate, but as I told the guys, it’ll take a few days to digest this result and realize that it was an exceptional season,” said Pascal Vincent after the game.

Charlotte won the series in four games and advances to the Calder Cup Final. The Rocket’s playoff run ends in the final four for the second time in four years.

“We went from being one of the lowest-ranked teams last season to reaching the conference finals. It was great to see the whole team improve this year,” said Logan Mailloux after the game.

Joshua Roy and Owen Beck scored for the Rocket. Jacob Fowler, making his first start of the series, stopped 23 shots.

“I’m pretty proud of him,” said Pascal Vincent about his young goaltender.

The Rocket lost defenseman Gustav Lindström in the second period after he took a hit to the head. He did not return. Pascal Vincent’s squad played short a man for nearly half the game.

“I’ve got to give them a lot of credit. There are a bunch of guys playing through pain, and they did an outstanding job in front of me,” said Jacob Fowler about the defense.

GAME SUMMARY

The Rocket came out with fire, not wanting to bow out so quickly.

In fact, the visitors were the first to threaten. Captain Lucas Condotta came close to scoring when he pounced on a rebound from Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, but his shot was glove-stopped by Kaapo Kähkönen.

The Rocket kept pressing. While shorthanded, Alex Barré-Boulet used his speed to break away and tried to slide the puck between Kähkönen’s pads, but was denied.

All that hard work eventually paid off. With 46 seconds left in the first period, Joshua Roy redirected Gustav Lindström’s shot past Kähkönen to give the Rocket the lead. For the first time in the series, Pascal Vincent’s team had a lead…