In front of the largest crowd in team history, 10,307 spectators, the Rocket needed to win to keep both hands on the wheel of a playoff berth. The Syracuse Crunch visited Laval and spoiled the party with a 3-1 victory.
Meanwhile, the Belleville Senators won 3-0 over the Springfield Thunderbirds.
As a result, after Friday night’s games, Laval has slipped out of the playoff picture and is now in 6th place in the American Hockey League’s North Division. The top five teams qualify for the spring waltz.
He didn’t miss the second shot!
He didn’t miss the second shot 
#GoRocket https://t.co/KU5vT8KtdE pic.twitter.com/swK4Nb9NEx
– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) April 5, 2024
Yet the game had started well for the Rocket, who took the lead thanks to a Justin Barron goal on the power play. Up to that point, the Rocket were neck-and-neck with Syracuse.
From the second period on, Laval was dominated both physically and in terms of scoring chances. The Rocket struggled to generate offense as the visitors stormed Jakub Dobes’ net. The goalkeeper was exceptional throughout the match, keeping his team in the game right to the end.
Jakub Dobeš is absolutely standing on his head tonight, with next to no support to show for it pic.twitter.com/ioAj8IsXiD
– Scott Matla (@scottmatla) April 6, 2024
It finally paid off as the Crunch tied the game in the second before taking the lead in the third on a penalty to David Reinbacher.
The 19-year-old defenseman had a tough night as he committed several turnovers and was caught in his defensive zone regularly.
But overall, Laval was not up to the task. The Crunch are the best team in the division and it showed.
Laval returns to action tomorrow afternoon and the clock is ticking, with only five games left in the season.
Breaking news
– Quite a blossoming.
Juraj Slafkovsky racked up 44 points (16 goals + 28 assists) in 75 games this season, at just 19 years of age (and 20 as of 1 week ago).
But he has amassed 36 in his last 44.
And 13 in his last 12, during which time he was blanked from the scoresheet one… pic.twitter.com/oojslcMkSn
– Marc-Olivier Beaudoin (@MOBeaudoin1) April 5, 2024
– It’s done for the Leafs.
X – Maple Leafs clinch a playoff spot for the eighth straight season
Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Morgan Rielly & Auston Matthews have played in all 50 playoff games in this era
– Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 6, 2024
– The Sabres can believe it.
Now Sabres have entered the playoff discussion, 4 pts back of Philly for the final wild card spot after beating them tonight. Will be harder for them with the amount of teams they need to leap frog, will need a lot of help.
– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) April 6, 2024
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