Laval Rocket/Montreal Canadiens goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen (34) goes to make a blocker save against the Toronto Maple Leafs during a preseason game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON.(Source: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)The Laval Rocket beat the Toronto Marlies 4-0 in Game Four to set up a final game to determine who goes to the North Division Finals.
Laval set themselves up as the dominant team in the first period, outshooting Toronto 14-6. Each team went 0-for-1 on the power play with the Rocket putting up five shots while the Marlies put up zero shots. The Rocket's persistence paid off early as they got a goal from forward Alex Belzile.
The offensive production went from bad to worse for the Marlies in the second period as Laval outshot Toronto 11-3. Even though the Marlies restricted the Rocket to lesser shots than the first period, Laval pocketed two goals in the frame, both courtesy of forward Samuel Blais. Once again, each team went 0-for-1 in the man-advantage in the period with the Marlies yet again registering zero shots while the Rocket put up three.
Toronto would turn the tables on Laval, outshooting them in the final period and even register three shots in their one man-advantage situation of the frame. But the Rocket tore down what little momentum the Marlies were working with, scoring a short-handed goal and putting the final score at 4-0, setting up a final Game Five in Laval.
Laval goalie Kaapo Kahkonen registered an 18-save shutout.