Rocket loses 5-1 to Checkers, faces elimination on Tuesday

If the American Hockey League were to implement a moratorium banning second periods from its games, the Laval Rocket would likely be the first team to support it.

The Charlotte Checkers exploded offensively in the middle period and easily beat the Rocket 5-1 on Sunday night at Bojangles Coliseum.

Since the start of its series against the Checkers, the Montreal Canadiens’ farm team has tried to gain momentum thanks to an intense start, but it has always been slowed in its momentum during the second period.

The third duel was no exception on Sunday.

Trailing 1-0 after 20 minutes, the Rocket collapsed, allowing three goals on seven shots in 5:14, giving up and admitting defeat before even reaching the halfway mark.

When the final siren sounded, Laval had allowed eight second-period goals in three games in this Eastern Conference final, they still hadn’t played with a lead and they were just one loss away from packing their bags.

“Every time we start the game, we’re excited. Then they take advantage of their opportunities and we don’t. It seems like it’s killing us,” observed forward Brandon Gignac.

“They got a goal and it seemed like as the period went on, we collapsed,” added captain Lucas Condotta. “That kind of streak kills you in the playoffs. It puts you in a hole.”

Head coach Pascal Vincent’s players had had great success this season in weathering the storms. When they conceded a goal, they managed to quickly regroup and rediscover their style of play.

But against a more experienced and well-structured team like the Checkers, the Rocket clearly couldn’t contain their pressure. Suddenly, their pace turned into catch-up hockey, and there was no respite.

“During the season, when we lost momentum, we found ways to get away with it without giving up two or three goals in a row. Right now, you have to give them credit. They’re good with their stick, they’re physical, and they win a lot of one-on-one battles. They’re making us pay by taking the momentum and scoring important goals,” said Vincent.

A goaltender’s brilliance could have helped Laval, but Cayden Primeau has been struggling since the start of the series.

The 25-year-old veteran was forced out of the net for the second straight game, allowing a total of 12 goals on just 53 shots in the three losses to the Checkers. Primeau had won all three of his team’s series wins in the previous series against the Rochester Americans.

Although Vincent admitted that the timing was wrong for him to be struggling in front of the net, he refused to blame his number one goalie for his club’s woes.

“It’s a little more complicated and it’s a shame because the timing isn’t perfect, but it would be way too easy to point the finger at one or two individuals,” said the head coach. “We only scored one goal tonight. And we didn’t score five-on-five. I think it’s more than just the goaltenders.”

Jared Davidson was the only scorer for the Rocket , who have been outscored 15-4 in the series. Primeau allowed four goals on 16 shots before giving way to Jacob Fowler, who allowed one goal on 13 shots.

Fowler will also be the starting goalie when the Checkers try to complete a second straight sweep on Tuesday night in Charlotte.

Riley Bezeau scored twice, Will Lockwood, Sandis Vilmanis and John Leonard scored for the winners. Jesse Puljujarvi and Mikulas Hovorka each had two assists.

Kaapo Kahkonen once again made the right saves to dash the visitors’ hopes. He stopped 22 shots.

Everything changes

The Rocket started the match with a lot of pace, as they had in the previous two matches. Primeau also made his presence felt by making two point-blank saves against Bezeau.

The latter, however, got his revenge at 9:16, after beating Adam Engstrom. Bezeau took Puljujarvi’s pass and backhanded the puck into the top corner.

Laval came within inches of tying the score about two minutes later. Alex Barré-Boulet broke away and his shot hit the post to Kahkonen’s left. On the rebound, Oliver Kapanen missed the target after also being overlooked.

The second period was once again fatal for the Rocket ‘s momentum . After only 53 seconds of play, Leonard took advantage of a mix-up between Primeau and Logan Mailloux to double his team’s lead. Then, 68 seconds later, Bezeau escaped Davidson’s coverage to complete MacKenzie Entwistle’s play.

Vincent called a timeout to wake up his troops, but it didn’t have the desired effect. At 5:14, Lockwood entered the offensive zone and beat Primeau, who probably would have liked to see the shot again.

Fowler’s arrival provided a small spark for Laval, who cut the deficit to 4-1 on the power play. Owen Beck was patient before releasing his shot, and Davidson skillfully deflected it past Kahkonen.

Geordie Kinnear’s men dealt their opponents a heavy blow before the end of the second period and restored their four-goal lead. Vilmanis took advantage of the space in front of him and caught Fowler between his body and right arm.

The Checkers closed the game in the third period and blocked the spaces to confirm their triumph.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews