Photo: Jeff Pexton
Reilly Walsh scored with 2.0 seconds left in regulation and Samuel Laberge struck 2:45 into overtime as the Utica Comets stunned Laval, 2-1, to finish a two-game sweep of their North Division first-round series on Friday night.
The Comets will meet the Toronto Marlies in the division semifinals.
Laval were about to force a third and deciding game when Walsh sent a seeing-eye shot from the point past Cayden Primeau at 19:58 of the third period, tying the game at 1-1.
In overtime, Simon Nemec sent the puck on net and Laberge redirected it home for the second goal — and second overtime winner — of his Calder Cup Playoff career.
After recording a shutout in Game 1, Nico Daws (2-0) turned aside 25 of 26 shots in the Game 2 win for Utica. Primeau (0-2) wound up with 32 stops for the Rocket.
North Division First Round (best-of-3)
N4-Utica Comets vs. N5-Laval Rocket
Game 1 – Wed., Apr. 19 – Utica 4, LAVAL 0 | Recap
Game 2 – Fri., Apr. 21 – UTICA 2, Laval 1 (OT)
