Laval Rocket hit the ice ahead of conference final vs. Charlotte Checkers
Posted May 27, 2025 3:48 pm.
Last Updated May 27, 2025 6:37 pm.
After a dominant 5–0 shutout win over the Rochester Americans on Sunday night, the Rocket claimed the AHL’s North Division crown and punched their ticket to the Eastern Conference Final.
“That was amazing,” said forward Lucas Condotta.
“Obviously, Prime with the shutout was great, and I thought the team played one of our best complete games there.”
“That was special for us,” added winger Rafaël Harvey-Pinard.
“That was good for sure. When you’re playing on the line like that, it’s important to have your best game. And that’s what we did. I think everybody played a hell of a game, probably one of the best games of our season, series included. So I was very proud of the guys.”
Lacing up to face the unknown
On Tuesday morning, the team hit the ice for practice ahead of their upcoming showdown.
Laval now prepares for the Charlotte Checkers, the Atlantic Division champions, in the Eastern Conference Final. The series begins Wednesday night at Place Bell.
The two teams haven’t faced each other all season. In fact, they’ve only met eight times in total — and not once since 2018.
“Well, who knows,” said head coach Pascal Vincent, when asked if that lack of familiarity could help or hurt.
“It’s the same thing for them. Common ground — we don’t really know them, they don’t really know us. Now we have access to all the videos and the advanced stats and all of that, but it’s never like playing a team physically. I think what’s going to be — we can tell our players, and their coaches are going to tell their players about us, but at the end of the day, they’re going to study each other on the ice and how they react.”
Charlotte brings experience and structure. They swept the Hershey Bears — the two-time defending Calder Cup champions — in the last round and have one of the top penalty kills in the league. They also finished the regular season with 94 points, fourth-best in the AHL.
Finally, home ice
After starting both of their previous series on the road, the Rocket are happy to be playing in front of their home crowd.
“Oh, it’s huge,” said Condotta.
“Starting the last two series on the road, you kind of get a little uncomfortable to start. But we’re here, we’re home, and it’s definitely nice to have the best fans in the AHL behind us.”
Harvey-Pinard said the atmosphere gives the team a big boost.
“The crowd is incredible for us night after night,” he said. “So it’s just nice to have their energy. We feel it and we’re excited to start it at home.”
Cayden Primeau added: “Yeah, you can’t describe it. You just got to experience it. It was crazy. We’re fortunate that they were there all year and support us. They mean so much to us, but the playoffs are another animal.”
Staying ready, staying confident
Laval is confident in its identity and approach.
When asked if youth can overcome experience, Vincent replied: “I’ll let you know after the weekend, but it hasn’t been an issue all season. Maybe it will be this time, but so far there’s a quiet confidence — not arrogance, just a strong belief — that we can compete with anyone regardless of our age. We’ll see how it goes.”
Vincent emphasized that Laval’s strategy centers on pressure and intensity.
“We’ve already started focusing on that,” he explained.
“We took lessons from the last game and incorporated what we need to do next, especially to counter teams like Rochester and Charlotte. It’s really about mindset. We began the game alert and aggressive on the forecheck, allowing no time or space for the opponent. That’s playoff hockey. The key is maintaining the mindset and team identity we’ve built all year and using it to our advantage tomorrow.”
Focused on Game 1
The team knows it can’t get caught thinking too far ahead. Every shift, every moment matters.
“Yeah, I mean, we were ready,” said Condotta.
“We played two days ago, so we got to be ready to keep going, and Wednesday is going to be a great challenge for us.”
Harvey-Pinard echoed that approach: “We know they have a really good team. So I think it’s important to go one day at a time, one game at a time. The next big game is going to be tomorrow. We just have to be ready, do videos, learn what they’re doing on the ice. That’s what we’re doing right now. And just play the same way we did last game.”
Primeau said the key is not getting too comfortable.
“I think we played a really good game in that Game 5, so just not being comfortable with what we did in the past,” he said.
“We have to replicate it, but if we play that way and the way we know we can, it will be a good spot.”
Gratitude and grit
With a new series ahead and the fans behind them, the Rocket are ready to take the next step.
“Just play hard, play physical, and yeah, just be ready to go,” said Condotta.
And the team hasn’t forgotten the support they’ve received.
“Just thanks for all the support,” said Primeau.
“We wouldn’t be able to do it without them, and like I said, they’re immense for us,” he added.
“Just say we love you guys and thank you for all the support,” added Condotta.
“We appreciate it really a lot. And again, best fans of the AHL. Love you guys.”
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final takes place Wednesday night in Laval. Game 2 follows on Thursday before the series shifts to Charlotte for Games 3 through 5.
If necessary, Games 6 and 7 will return to Place Bell.
