Harvey-Pinard scores in overtime and Laval wins Game 4

The Rocket won in overtime, thanks to a goal from Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, in the fourth game of the Eastern Conference final, Friday night at Place Bell.

Laval had a tougher start and the Thunderbirds took advantage of it. They scored two goals, to take a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes of play. The trio of MacEachern, Joshua and Bitten once again played spoilsport by scoring those two goals. The second goal seemed to whip Jean-Francois Houle’s team into shape as they rallied late in the first. That momentum carried over to the end of the first as Jean-Sebastien Dea cut into the lead at the last second. The Rocket finished the first period with a total of 26 shots on goal, so it was only a matter of time before they converted their scoring chances.

The Rocket started the middle frame with that same momentum. Cedric Paquette carried the puck from his defensive zone to the opposing goal and beat young goalie Hofer with a precise shot. Cayden Primeau was brilliant, on several occasions, to keep his team in a tie and head to overtime.

Since sixty minutes were not enough to decide a winner, the game went into overtime, much to the delight of the fans at Bell Place. Rafaël Harvey-Pinard made them even happier when he scored the winning goal to tie the series.

The intensity and animosity in this game went up a notch and the game ended in an uproar after Laval scored in overtime. Both teams will be back on the ice on Saturday June 11th at 7pm at Place Bell. It promises to be a great game!

Marqueurs/Scorers

SPRINGFIELD : MacEachern (Bitten, Joshua) | Joshua (MacEachern, Lyle)

LAVAL: Dea (Ouellet, Belpedio) | Paquette (Ouellet) | Harvey-Pinard (Niku, Belzile)

Unités spéciales/Special teams

SPR | AN/PP: 0/3

LAV | AN/PP: 1/2

Gardiens/Goaltenders

SPR: Hofer (48/51) | LAV: Primeau (42/44)

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