The Montreal Canadiens ECHL affiliate faced several obstacles in weekend series on the road.
by Chris G, Rocket Sports, Montreal Canadiens blogger
The Trois-Rivieres Lions were in Virginia over the weekend for a triple header against the Norfolk Admirals (Winnipeg Jets).
Friday: Trois-Rivieres Lions 2 - Norfolk Admirals 5
Xavier Cormier put his team on the board late in the first period and extended his point streak to seven games at the same time. Norfolk went ahead with a goal before the first intermission and another two in the first half of the second period. Jakov Novak cut the deficit to one with a power play goal, his 100th point in the ECHL, before the end of the period. The Admirals scored two empty net goals in the final two minutes of regulation to secure the win.
Saturday: Trois-Rivieres Lions 3 - Norfolk Admirals 0
The Lions opened the scoring midway through the first period when Justin Ducharme beat former Rocket goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo on a rebound. The score remained the same up to the third period when Isaac Dufort added to the lead with a backhander through traffic. With 5:12 remaining, Xavier Cormier made it 3-0 with his 13th of the season. Luke Cavallin stopped 23 shots to obtain his first shutout of the season.
Sunday: Trois-Rivieres Lions 4 - Norfolk Admirals 3
The Admirals led 1-0 late in the first period when Logan Nijhoff tied it during a power play with a one-timer from the slot. Xavier Cormier obtained an assist on the play, extending his point streak to nine games. Trois-Rivieres’ penalty kill units struggled in the second period, and allowed two goals in the second period. The visitors did not say their last word as Metis Roelens scored twice in a span of 5:06 of the third period to tie the game once again. The Lions took their first lead of the match with 1:47 remaining in regulation when Isaac Dufort completed a one-timer from Jakov Novak for the eventual game winning goal.
Roster News
The club faced the Admirals without Alex Beaucage who is sidelined day-to-day with an upper body injury. Beaucage is the hottest player on the roster currently on a seven game point streak where he’s totaled 11 points.
Jonathan Yantsis was not available either as he is considered week-to-week with an upper body injury.
On Wednesday, the Lions signed Daryk Dube-Plouffe to a contract. The forward dressed for two games with the Lions last season, and this year, he was playing with the Knoxville Ice Bears of the SPHL.
After playing on Friday with 10 forwards and eight defencemen, Trois-Rivieres signed Metis Roelens to a deal. He last played professional hockey in 2021-22, when he played two games with the Maine Mariners.
Chris Jandric was suspended for Sunday’s game and fined an undisclosed amount for cross-checking an opponent on the face during Saturday’s contest. The officials on the ice handed him a cross-checking major and a game misconduct for the infraction.
In addition, Anthony Beauregard did not dress on Saturday and Sunday, and Brycen Martin missed Sunday’s game. No information was provided on their respective absences.
As a result, coach and general manager Ron Choules dressed 10 forwards and six defenceman for the final game of the triple header.
Up Next
The Lions return home to host the Admirals on Wednesday at Colisee Videotron, followed by a road game against the Maine Mariners (Boston Bruins) on Sunday.
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