In front of a sold-out crowd of 10,092 at Place Bell, the Laval Rocket delivered a commanding 5–0 shutout over the Rochester Americans on Sunday afternoon to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in four years.
It was a game loaded with urgency, redemption, and execution—a complete performance both offensively and defensively, with goaltender Cayden Primeau standing tall when it mattered most. In what was Laval’s first-ever winner-take-all game on home ice, Primeau registered a 27-save shutout, solidifying his status as the club’s undisputed starter moving forward.
A tactical shake-up
Following a disappointing Game 4 loss, Rocket head coach Pascal Vincent made bold adjustments to the lineup. Brandon Gignac was promoted to the top line, while Sean Farrell moved to the second. Xavier Simoneau drew in for Luke Tuch on the third line, and Zack Hayes replaced the injured William Trudeau on defence.
The message was clear: Laval needed a response. And they delivered it from the opening faceoff.
Joshua Roy and Farrell set the tone early, combining on a slick power-play goal finished by Alex Barré-Boulet at 10:51 of the first period. Just four minutes later, Farrell tipped in a point shot from Hayes to double the lead.
Farrell, who was demoted to the second line after Friday’s defeat, responded with arguably his best game of the playoffs, finishing with three points (1G, 2A) and asserting himself as a dynamic secondary scoring option.
Hayes, making his postseason debut, played with poise and physicality—blocking shots, moving the puck efficiently, and contributing directly to Laval’s second goal. His immediate impact highlighted the Rocket’s defensive depth and readiness to step up in high-pressure situations.
Defensive fortitude and goaltending brilliance
Offensively, Laval exploded for five goals, with captain Lucas Condotta extending the lead just 24 seconds into the second period. Roy, on a tear with goals in three straight games, added another before the intermission. Oliver Kapanen capped off the scoring midway through the third with his second of the series.
The numbers tell the story: Laval registered five goals on 25 shots, with high-danger scoring chances capitalized at critical moments. They went 2-for-3 on the power play, while successfully killing off both of Rochester’s opportunities.
Roy’s consistent offensive contribution—three consecutive games with a goal—highlighted his rising value to the Rocket’s forward corps. He also tallied an assist, bringing his total to three points on the night and marking him as one of the most dangerous players entering the conference final.
In terms of offensive contribution metrics, Roy and Farrell led the way with a combined 6 points (3G, 3A), including 2 power-play goals (PPG) and 8 shots on goal (SOG) between them. Barré-Boulet and Kapanen also chipped in key goals, with the latter recording the eventual game-winner (GWG).
Defensively, the Rocket were structured and disciplined—a stark contrast to their performance in Game 4, where penalty trouble cost them dearly. In Game 5, their first penalty came late in the second period when Florian Xhekaj retaliated after being shoved into the opposing crease. The penalty kill unit rose to the occasion, neutralizing the threat and preserving the shutout.
The team’s collective defensive contribution was reflected in their +5 goal differential and a reduced penalty minutes (PIM) total compared to previous outings. Laval limited high-danger chances, protected the slot, and consistently cleared rebounds in front of Primeau.
As for the goaltender himself, Primeau’s stat line spoke volumes: 27 saves, 1.000 save percentage (SV%), and his first career playoff shutout (SO). Quietly confident and mechanically sharp, Primeau showed no signs of the inconsistency that briefly plagued his earlier performances in the series, and his career.
It was a masterclass in positional goaltending—tracking pucks through traffic, sealing the post on wraparounds, and staying composed during stretches of sustained pressure from Rochester.
Looking ahead: Rocket vs. Checkers
The Rocket will now turn their attention to the Charlotte Checkers, who swept the defending Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears to advance to the Eastern Conference Final. The best-of-seven series begins Wednesday night in Laval, with Games 1 and 2 scheduled at Place Bell before the series shifts to Charlotte.
It will be a significant test for Laval’s offensive and defensive systems. Charlotte boasts one of the AHL’s most balanced lineups, with high expected goals (xG) rates and an aggressive forecheck that punishes turnovers.
But if Game 5 against Rochester proved anything, it’s that this Rocket team can adapt and respond under pressure. They have elite goaltending, emerging offensive stars in Roy and Farrell, and a re-energized blue line—even without Trudeau—capable of absorbing and distributing against playoff-level intensity.
As the puck drops on Wednesday, all eyes will be on Laval to see if they can carry this momentum forward and continue their Calder Cup pursuit. Laval’s best is showing up at just the right time—and with four wins now separating them from the Calder Cup Final, the Rocket are heating up with purpose.