Big Weekend Ahead For the Lions

This weekend is probably the most important one for the Trois-Rivières Lions, who are trying to keep their playoff hope alive.

For that occasion, they are visiting the Reading Royals for a three games series, a team that we have not seen a lot this season. Both teams are putting a similar type of hockey on the ice, but Reading has been far more opportunistic and won crucial games when needed.

The Lions are currently sitting in sixth place in the North East division, 19 points behind Reading and 15 points behind the last place for a playoff spot occupied by Worcester.

The chance is there to join Worcester in the hunt since they are playing the division’s best team, Newfoundland Growlers, and the second best, the Maine Mariners.

POSSIBLE LINEUP FOR THIS WEEKEND

With the NHL trade deadline ending, many roster moves have been going on in the league, but the Lions were not impacted that much. An injury to Rockets’ goaltender Kevin Poulin forced Laval to call up Desrosiers to be Primeau’s backup. So for the keeper tandem, we expect Vrbetic to play at least two games and Marotte to play the other one. But, with Bergeron’s history, I won’t be surprised to see Joe Vrbetic being used in all three games, considering the importance of the situation.

As for the defenseman, our first two pairs probably won’t see any changes as they are projected to be Welsh-Thibeault and Centorame-Johnson. Our third pair is going to see changes with the acquisition by our GM of, Shane Kuzmeski, who’ll be paired with either Horvath or Beauvais.

Last but not least, our forwards. After a big game last Sunday against the Growlers, I don’t think coach Bergeron is going to be willing to change anything to his lineup. During this electrifying game, the line of Montminy-Beauregard-Lacroix cumulated 6 points. The only change coming to the forwards is to see who will replace Collin Bilek, who has been traded in the AHL, meaning he won’t be able to play for the Lions anymore because his new team has an ECHL affiliation with Indy Fuel.

TIME FOR A INJURY COMEBACK?

The injury list is kind of long for the Lions. Maybe this weekend, we will see one of them coming back. We already know that Chaulk’s season is over. In the possibility column, we have Nicolas Larrivière, who has been out with a lower-body injury since January 25th. Then there is D-Jay Jerome, out with a lower-body injury after blocking a shot during a match not long after Larrivière’s injury. Last but not least, the man with the mysterious injury, William Leblanc, is out since I can’t remember. I hope to be able to provide you with an injury update on all the boys, but for now, let’s hope one of them can come back to help the team.

Here is the schedule for the three games: Friday, March 3rd @ 19h EST. – Saturday March 4th @ 19h EST. – Sunday March 5th @ 15h EST.