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The Rocket will begin its series on the road this week
Jonathan Di Gregorio
The Rocket will begin its series on the road this week
Credit: Getty Images

It’s done, we now know the identity of the Laval Rocket’s playoff opponents: it will be the Cleveland Monsters.

The Monsters won both games to eliminate the Toronto Marlies in the first two out of three round of the AHL playoffs.

It was a goal by Quebec’s James Malatesta in the second overtime that gave the Ohio team the win.

The series between the Rocket and Monsters will therefore begin on Wednesday or Thursday night, depending on whether the basketball series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat requires a fifth game. The Cavaliers hold a 3-0 series lead.

Here’s the complete series schedule:

You may have noticed a strange detail: the Rocket will play its first two games on the road even though the team finished first in the AHL.

Because of the distance between the two clubs and to limit travel, the series starts at the home of the neglected club for the first two games, while the last three games are played at the home of the favorite.

So, as the series progresses, the ice advantage shifts to the team that finished ahead in the standings.

I’m really not sure about this formula..

I understand the financial concerns behind the decision, but it seems like a lot of hay. The advantage of the ice, yes it’s playing more games at home, but it’s also being able to take advantage of its crowd to start the series with momentum.

It seems to me that a 2-2-1 formula where you start the best team at home makes much more sense, regardless of the distance between the clubs. In fact, if the Rocket had played the Marlies, that would have been the formula for the series.

What’s more, with just a few days to go before the start of their series, the Rocket could be in for a change in front of the net, depending on how the situation with Samuel Montembeault evolves.

If the Canadiens’ goaltender is injured, the team will logically have to recall Cayden Primeau, thus depriving the Rocket of its number-one starter.

Jacob Fowler is not an option for the CH, as he only has an American League contract.

Moreover, if Montreal has to recall Primeau, it’s probably Fowler who will start the playoffs for Laval, while Connor Hughes is currently injured.

However, all this depends on Montembault’s state of health.


In gusto

– The Rocket is ready!

– Into overtime again!

– Lots of blue in Ottawa.

– Big game to end the night.

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