After a stumbling loss to the Belleville Senators on Monday to end a long road trip, the Laval Rocket returned home to Place Bell. It was already an emotional night as the Rocket could clinch a playoff berth with a win in regulation against the Toronto Marlies, the first in team history.
There was the added wrinkle of it being the Quebec Classic for the Rocket, as they suited up in special jerseys that were meant to be worn over two years ago before COVID hammered the world of sports. On top of that, the passing of Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur hit hard across the Canadiens organization and fanbase.