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The Montreal Canadiens ECHL affiliate opening series opponent determined.
by Chris G, Rocket Sports, Montreal Canadiens blogger
The Trois-Rivieres Lions wrapped up a four-game sequence against the Maine Mariners (Boston Bruins) on Wednesday, before returning home to wrap up the regular season with a triple header against the Wheeling Nailers (Pittsburgh Penguins).
Wednesday: Trois-Rivieres Lions 1 - Maine Mariners 4
A lucky bounced helped the Lions open the scoring in the first as Isaac Dufort’s pass attempt changed direction after hitting a defender’s skate and crossing the goal line. The Mariners grabbed the lead with two goals in 3:46 of the second period, including a power play goal during a too many men on the ice infraction. Maine put the game out of reach in the third period with two goals in 0:39 seconds. Joe Vrbetic came into relief for Hunter Jones following the fourth goal. It was the goalie’s first appearance since returning to the Lions following a trade on February 21st.
The home team got on the board midway through the first period when Chris Jandric’s one-timer from the blue line blew by the goalie. The Nailers took advantage of a power play to tie the game during the middle frame. During the first shift of the third period, Dufort created a turnover behind the opposition’s net and found Jakov Novak in the slot, and the forward took a quick shot for the goal. Momentum swung the other direction for the remainder of the period as Wheeling scored four times, including a shorthanded goal, power play, and an empty netter to obtain the victory.
The Penguins affiliate led 1-0 as time was ticking on the first period when Nicolas Guay tipped Jandric’s point shot behind the goalie. The Nailers doubled their lead during the second period and ended Trois-Rivieres’ hopes with an empty net goal in the final minute of regulation.
Trois-Rivieres struck in the first period when Anthony Beauregard found Jakov Novak wide open and he buried it for the early lead. Novak doubled the lead in the second period with a top corner shot on the team’s first power play of the afternoon. The Nailers cut the lead before the intermission but Trois-Rivieres took control of the game in the third period. Xavier Cormier made it a two-goal game by redirecting Jandric’s one-timer from the blue line. Later, Novak completed his hat trick with a one-timer during a five-on-three and in the final minute, Alex Beaucage obtained the third power play goal of the contest with a wrist shot.
Roster News
Luke Cavallin was named on the All-ECHL second team for the 2024-25 season. In 32 games, the goalie has 19-10-1 record, 2.13 goals against average, .929 save percentage and three shutouts. Cavallin also played three games with the Laval Rocket, and had 1-1 record, 2.46 goals against average, and .897 save percentage.
Anthony Beauregard was named the Lions player of the year. In his third season with the team, Beauregard collected 67 points in 67 games with plus-18 rating.
Up Next
The Lions conclude the 2024-25 regular season on top of the North Division, and third in the Eastern Conference. Ron Choules’ squad finished the schedule on their coldest stretch of the year with four wins in their last 12 games.
On Friday, they begin a best-of-seven series against the Reading Royals (Philadelphia Flyers) at Colisee Videotron. The teams split the eight head-to-head matchups of the season, with the Lions outscoring the Royals 26-22. The second game of the series is on Saturday, before the series moves to Reading for the next three games next week.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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