CHARLOTTE, N.C. β The Charlotte Checkers loosened up with a morning skate on Monday before heading to Quebec for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Finals series against Laval Rocket.
Charlotte is coming off of a three-game sweep of the Hershey Bears in the previous round, and are one series victory away from playing for a Calder Cup, a championship it won in 2019.
Laval won the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy with the best record in the American Hockey League during the regular season, posting a 48-19-5 tally.
“They are feeling good about themselves,” coach Geordie Kinnear said. “We’ve done a great job all year of being in the moment, so we need to be in the moment. Today we had a good practice.”
The Checkers did not face the Rocket all season, in fact they haven’t played since the 2018-19 season.
“They finished first so we know they’re a good team,” said John Leonard. “It’s going to be a fun atmosphere to play in. I’ve played in that rink before. It’s loud, it’s packed. Everyone’s fired up for that. It’s going to be fun.
Game 1 is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday night with Game 2 also at Laval on Thursday.
The Checkers will return to home ice for Game 3 on Sunday afternoon.
Here is the schedule for the series:
- GAME 1: Wednesday, May 28 β Charlotte at Laval, 7 p.m.
- GAME 2: Thursday, May 29 β Charlotte at Laval, 7 p.m.
- GAME 3: Sunday, June 1 β Laval at Charlotte, 4 p.m.
- GAME 4: Tuesday, June 3 β Laval at Charlotte, 7 p.m.
- GAME 5*: Thursday, June 5 β Laval at Charlotte, 7 p.m.
- GAME 6*: Saturday, June 7 β Charlotte at Laval, 3 p.m.
- GAME 7*: Sunday, June 8 β Charlotte at Laval, 3 p.m.
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