The Trois-Rivères Lions went from almost shutting down last April, and 13 months later, they would be crowned the Kelly Cup Champions.
“How’s that for a 30 for 30, eh”
Trois-Rivieres Lions Head Coach Ron Choules
In the opening frame, the physicality would be on full display early, as Darian Pilan took a boarding penalty less than two minutes into the game, giving us our first big scrum of the game and sending TR to their first power play of the game. It would be all Toledo early, including two big penalty kills. Trois-Rivières would finally break through on their third PP of the game as Nicolas Guay fed Anthony Beauregard for a one-timer to open up the scoring at the 11:29 mark. It wouldn’t be an easy end to the period for the Lions, as they had to kill off two penalties, including one that would carry over into the second period.
In the second, it would be more of the same as the Walleye continued to skate around the Lions, outshooting them 22-9 in the middle frame. Toledo would have the only PP of the period, with most of the Lions’ shots coming in the final minute. Luke Cavallin continued to shine for the Lions as he stopped all 38 shots through the first 40 minutes of play.
“Honestly, it feels like it’s been a long time coming. Just really proud of the group we have here. It’s been a long season, a long couple of years here. I’m so glad we did this tonight and we did it at home.
Goaltender Luke Cavallin on winning the Kelly Cup
The Walleye finally broke through early in the third as Matt Anderson went top-shelf for his seventh of the Playoffs. Toledo appeared as if they had the game in their hands after they scored, but Chris Jandric fired a shot from the point, giving the Lions a 2-1 lead less than three minutes after the Anderson goal.
Wyatt McLeod and Alex Beaucage added empty-net goals to seal the Kelly Cup for the Lions, 4-1.
ITR 44: We Have A Champion…Again – Inside The Rink
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