Farrell scores twice as Rocket take Game 1 against Monsters

ARCHIVES - Laval Rocket forward Sean Farrell (15) makes contact with Filip Johansson (46) during the third period of a game played on October 13, 2023, at Place Bell. (The Canadian Press/Christinne Muschi)

Sean Farrell scored twice to lead the Laval Rocket to a 3-2 win over the Cleveland Monsters on Wednesday night, opening their best-of-five playoff series at Rocket Arena.

Farrell found the back of the net twice in the second period, continuing the momentum he built in the second half of the season. He had racked up 35 points in his final 30 games before the playoffs began.

With the victory, the Rocket — who hadn’t played since April 19 — now lead the series 1-0. Game 2 is set for Friday night, once again in Cleveland.

Owen Beck also scored for Laval, who finished the regular season atop the AHL standings.

Making his first career playoff start, Jacob Fowler held his own in net until his teammates began to take control. He finished the night with 23 saves.

Veteran forwards Brandon Gignac and Rafaël Harvey-Pinard returned to the lineup after missing several weeks due to injury.

Joseph LaBate and Denton Mateychuk scored for the Monsters, who advanced to this round after sweeping the Toronto Marlies in two games. Jet Greaves, who had an impressive end to the season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, allowed three goals on 32 shots.

A slow but steady start

The Monsters got Fowler moving early but hurt their own chances on a power play. Trey Fix-Wolansky had a wide-open net but accidentally cleared the puck himself while attempting a shot.

The Rocket also applied pressure with the man advantage, but despite several quality chances, couldn’t find the back of the net. Greaves made a key save on a one-timer from Joshua Roy in the slot.

Laval came close again early in the second period.

Just seconds in, Xavier Simoneau had a wide-open net off a strange bounce from the glass but hit the post. On a later two-on-one rush, Roy missed the target on a quick shot.

Both teams created opportunities on the power play, but Cleveland capitalized first. From near the left point, Luca Del Bel Belluz fired a wrist shot that LaBate skillfully deflected past Fowler.

But Laval answered with two goals before the end of the period — both courtesy of Farrell.

The young American buried a rebound from a Laurent Dauphin shot to tie the game. Then, with just 36 seconds left in the frame, he tipped home a pass-shot from Alex Barré-Boulet to give the Rocket their first lead of the night.

Laval didn’t sit back in the third period and came out pressing. Dauphin’s line created an early chance, but it was Beck’s trio that extended the lead.

Greaves tried to clear the puck, but it went straight to Gignac, who fed it in front. Beck angled his left skate perfectly to direct the puck over the line.

That goal quieted both the Monsters and the crowd, while the Rocket stuck to their hard-hitting, high-energy game. Some late penalties by Laval made things tense, with Mateychuk cutting the lead, but the Rocket held on to seal the win.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 30, 2025.