Charlotte Checkers down Laval Rocket, take 3-0 series lead in AHL playoffs
The Charlotte Checkers are one victory away from their first Calder Cup Finals appearance since 2019 after systematically dismantling the Laval Rocket, 5-1, in Game 3 of the AHL Eastern Conference Final.
What makes Charlotte’s 3-0 series stranglehold so stunning isn’t just the dominance — it’s who they’re dominating. The Rocket finished 48-19-3-2 during the regular season, capturing the North Division title. Yet the Rocket have been outscored 15-4 through three games, looking helpless against a Checkers team that has gotten red hot at exactly the right time.
History tells us Tuesday’s Game 4 will likely be a coronation. Teams facing 3-0 series deficits rarely recover, and Laval showed little fight after Charlotte’s second-period explosion turned a competitive game into a rout.
The Checkers’ blueprint for success has been suffocating defense and opportunistic offense. Goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen has won seven straight playoff games, anchoring a system that has allowed just 1.33 goals per game in this series. When Laval does generate chances, Charlotte’s depth responds immediately.
Forward Riley Bezeau exemplified that depth with two goals, including a gorgeous backhand finish off Jesse Puljujarvi’s feed that opened the scoring. When Laval pulled starter Cayden Primeau after four goals, the Checkers didn’t ease up — Sandis Vilmanis buried the dagger with 4:11 remaining in the second period.
“I think we worked on that all year, consistency,” Bezeau said postgame. “Not straying away from your game. Just wear teams down and that’s what we continue to do.”
That consistency has been Charlotte’s calling card throughout these playoffs. John Leonard leads the AHL with four shorthanded goals in 11 playoff games while extending his point streak to seven.
The supporting cast has also stepped up when needed: MacKenzie Entwistle returned from a nearly six-month-long injury absence to contribute an assist, while Will Lockwood has points in four straight games.
For Laval, the collapse has been complete. A team that had the best AHL record over the regular season now faces a near-impossible task of winning four straight against a Checkers squad that hasn’t lost since May 9. The Rocket power play managed just one goal despite multiple opportunities, and their usually reliable defense has been carved apart by Charlotte’s balanced attack.
The atmosphere at Bojangles Coliseum reflected the series’ momentum. Red lights and glow sticks created a playoff atmosphere for 8,292 fans who grew louder as the night progressed. By the third period, Charlotte was in full containment mode while Laval played like a team afraid to make mistakes—the surest sign of a broken opponent.
Tuesday night at 7 p.m., the Checkers can complete one of the most lopsided conference finals in recent AHL memory. They’ll face a Laval team with nothing left to lose, but Charlotte has shown no signs of letting up. The Checkers have waited six years to return to the Calder Cup Finals, and they’re 60 minutes away from making that dream a reality.