ECHL North Division Finals- Game 1 Recap: Norfolk Admirals vs Trois-Rivieres Lions

Trois-Rivieres Lions/ECHL

The Trois-Rivieres Lions and Norfolk Admirals kicked off the North Division Finals on Friday Night, and Game 1 didn’t disappoint. Coming into the series, we expected a goaltender matchup of Luke Cavallin and Thomas Milic, but instead, it would be Hunter Jones and Thomas Milic as Cavallin is still up in Laval. For Jones, it would be his first career Kelly Cup Playoff appearance and start. In the opening frame, both goaltenders would be hot as all 27 shots fired at the net were stopped, with the Lions having the edge in shots 16-11. Trois-Rivieres would have their chances as they got back-to-back power plays in four minutes halfway through the period, but couldn’t convert.

Trois-Rivieres Lions/ECHL

It would be all Lions in the second as a turnover would lead to the first goal of the game. Chris Jandric would force the turnover that led to a nice tic-tac-toe play with Xavier Cormier finding the back of the net for his first goal of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Norfolk would get a chance on the PP early in the period that abruptly ended as Bryce Brodzinski took a slashing penalty to avoid a short-handed breakaway. The Lions would dominate the second period as they held Norfolk to just two shots on goal in the second. Trois-Rivieres was 18-0-1-2 when leading after 40 minutes during the regular season. The Trois-Rivieres Lions won their only game in which they led after two in the opening round.

Trois-Rivieres Lions/ECHL

In the third, Trois-Rivieres would get an early PP in the third but couldn’t convert. The Lions, who were 4-13 in the opening round, went 0-5 on the PP in Game 1. The Lions outshoot the Admirals 11-9 in the final period to take home the Game 1 win.

Goaltending Leads The Way for the Trois-Rivieres Lions In Game 1

Hunter Jones would stop all 27 shots he faced for his first career Kelly Cup Playoff shutout. Both teams have now shut each other out twice this season. Thomas Milic was solid in the loss, stopping 34 of the 35 shots he saw. Norfolk and Trois-Rivieres will faceoff on Sunday at 3:05 EST for Game 2.

ITR 47: Then There Was Nothing Inside The Rink

Join Conrad and Chris as the discuss Gavin McKenna making the jump to the NCAA, Pittsburgh and San Jose making additions, and the NHL season to begin on October 7, 2025.
  1. ITR 47: Then There Was Nothing
  2. ITR 46: Offseason Chaos
  3. ITR 45: Everything Is Happening
  4. ITR 44: We Have A Champion…Again
  5. ITR 43: It's Winning Time

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Armand Klisivitch

Inside The Rink ECHL Manager | Senior Editor Credentialed Reporter for the Adirondack Thunder & Worcester Railers.

2 thoughts on “ECHL North Division Finals- Game 1 Recap: Norfolk Admirals vs Trois-Rivieres Lions

Leave a Reply

ECHL: Norfolk Admirals Re-Sign Josh McDougall

The Norfolk Admirals have announced that they’ve re-signed defenseman Josh McDougall for the 2025-26 season. McDougall, 25, is coming off a career year where he had six goals and 39 assists for 45 points in 71 games. The 5’11, 190lb blueliner led the Admirals in ice time during the regular season. He had three assists […]

Read More

ECHL: Dylan Moulton Returns to the Toledo Blue Line

The Toledo Walleye are bringing back defenseman Dylan Moulton for the 2025-26 season. Moulton made his pro debut with the Walleye late last year and quickly became a key piece of the blue line. From Miami to Toledo Moulton joined the Walleye at the end of his NCAA career at Miami University (Ohio), where he […]

Read More

ECHL: Bloomington Bison Re-Sign Their Captain

The Bloomington Bison have announced that they’ve re-signed captain Eddie Matsushima for the 2025-26 season. In 67 games with the Bison last season, Matisushima had 27 goals and 30 assists for 57 points, his 57 points were a career-high. He also played in two AHL games with the San Diego Gulls for the second consecutive […]

Read More