What if the impact that knocked out the communications disk also knocked out the quad laser, that way it's not a suicide mission (well no more than usual) or down to extra shielding on the reactor, but down to not having enough firepower once the Falcon gets there.
The ship could get really badly shaved and covered in dings (meaning the cockpit is sealed in to stop fire from spreading).
That would just leave the guys in the cockpit to volunteer to ram the reactor.
It would add to the tension because the Falcon might not even make it to the reactor before blowing.
Something like this (only better) :
