Sadly, the Laval Rocket’s exciting and exhilarating end to the season only provided fans with two playoff games.
In fact, all those frenzied games that had to be won by the Rocket to confirm their playoff berth were for naught.
Laval scored just one goal in two games, none of them at home in front of a packed Place Bell.
It’s a shame for the Rocket to pack it in so quickly, especially considering that Jean-François Houle had a very talented team on hand.
However, it should be noted that several players were probably not at 100%.
In fact, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard said he’d lacked energy in the playoffs with the Rocket due to the very demanding season he’d had this year.
Rafaël Harvey-Pinard wasn’t afraid to admit it. He realizes that he didn’t have all the energy he thought he had after a very demanding season, both mentally and physically. Still, he’s an NHL player now, playoff result or no playoff result.
– Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) April 22, 2023
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RHP makes no secret of the fact that he realized he didn’t have all the energy he would have liked to have to help his team get further in the playoffs.
As you can see from the sequence of the Comets’ heartbreaking tying goal, Harvey-Pinard (number 11) looks exhausted and frustrated by the situation.
Did this just happen????? pic.twitter.com/BdAXmMupeK
– x – Utica Comets (@UticaComets) April 22, 2023
If you look at the footage, you can see that Walsh’s shot came within centimetres of RHP. He was inches away from blocking the shot and allowing the Rocket to win the game.
It’s a shame for the Rocket and RHP, but you can’t blame the 24-year-old Quebecer.
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Indeed, it’s been a crazy season for Harvey-Pinard, both mentally and physically demanding.
The important thing for him is that, in the end, he succeeded in proving that he belongs in the National Hockey League.
All the energy he put into this feat will have been wasted in the playoffs for the Rocket, but that’s life, and so much the better for Harvey-Pinard.
It’s a far greater feat to establish yourself in the NHL and make your mark in Montreal than to spend one or two rounds in the AHL playoffs.
Harvey-Pinard can be extremely proud of his season and his accomplishments.
His efforts have paid off, and hopefully for next season in Montreal too.
In a gust
– Big game tonight between the Leafs and Lightning.
New, for @NorthStarBet: What I’ve got my eye on with the #leafs entering Game 3 tonight here in Tampa. https://t.co/i0AMAteKgj
– Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 22, 2023
– It’ll be all white tonight in Winnipeg.
“Stepping in here for the first time, you don’t realize what you’re getting yourself into”
THE WHITEOUT IS HERE pic.twitter.com/TkrxM343gw
– Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) April 22, 2023
– CF Montreal will be in action tonight.
7:30 pm → Montreal: everyone to the Stadium!
Let’s do this 👊
🎟️ >>> https://t.co/Khdi97VFy6#CFMTL pic.twitter.com/F8HCQd638v
– CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) April 22, 2023
– Read more.
The Maple Leafs and the Victor Hedman advantage, Alex DeBrincat’s future, Tom Wilson’s loyalty, the Wild’s galaxy-brain goalies approach and eight more NHL goodies are all in this edition of @lukefoxjukebox‘s Quick Shifts. https://t.co/RRzqCD5lGr
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 22, 2023
– I’d say B. B+ even.
Habs Report Card: How would you grade Kirby Dach this past season?
Use a letter grade from A to F.#Habs #GoHabsGo #thesickpodcast pic.twitter.com/v7sH9qchSm
– The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) April 20, 2023