This divisional recap summarizes the North Division teams in the ECHL, focusing on their standings, recent game results, player milestones, and key statistics.
Trois-Rivieres Lions (36-12-4-1, 77pts, First Place)
The Trois-Rivieres Lions had a rough weekend as they would lose two out of three to Norfolk on home ice last weekend after starting the year 17-2-3-1 on home ice. Luke Cavallin would pick up both wins for the Admirals on the weekend including picking up his second shutout of the season, both coming against Norfolk. Chris Jandric has been hot of late for the Lions as he would have three assists on Sunday as he now has eight points in his six ECHL games. Trois-Rivieres holds the best record in the North Division over the last ten games going 7-3. The Lions will host the Worcester Railers next weekend for three games.
Wheeling Nailers (32-18-2-1, 67pts, 2nd Place)
Before dropping the puck on Friday Night, the Nailers would announce Louie Roehl as the team’s new captain. Roehl replaced Nick Hutchison, who took the overseas route back in December. Wheeling would pick up three out of a possible six points last week as the split the two-game series vs Adirondack to start the weekend as Cole Felton would pick up his first career ECHL point with an assist on Friday Night. On Saturday Night, Cole Tymkin picked up his first career goal for the Nailers, and Henri Schreifels became the first player from Stonehill College’s Division I era to play professionally. On Sunday, Wheeling would suffer their first shootout loss since December 10th, 2023, when they beat the Tulsa Oilers in a six-round shootout. Wheeling will head to Adirondack next weekend for a three-in-three.
Armand Klisivitch’s Friday Night Recap
Armand Klisivitch’s Saturday Night Recap
Norfolk Admirals (31-19-3-0, 65pts, 3rd Place)
Norfolk would have a strong week up in Trois-Rivieres as they would take the first two games against the Lions, before being shutout 7-0 in the series finale on Sunday afternoon. Thomas Milic would have a strong weekend between the pipes as he stopped 51 of the 52 he saw, as he picked up his second shutout of the season on Friday Night, he would end up being named Goaltender of the Week. Grant Hebert would pick us first goal with the Admirals, after picking up three assists in his first two games with the team. Brandon Yeamans who was acquired by Norfollk last week from Iowa would pick up his first goal with his new team on Saturday Night. Filip Fornaa Svensson would add two more goals on the weekend as he now sits at 23 goals on the season as he’s tied for third among rookies. The Admirals will host the Florida Everblades for a three-in-three this weekend.
Worcester Railers (26-23-2-4, 58pts, 4th Place)
The Worcester Railers would host alternate identity weekend as they were re-branded as the Worcester Monkey Wrenches for the weekend, and it seemed to go well as they swept the two-game series over the Bloomington Bison, winning 3-1 on Friday and 6-4 on Saturday. Some controversy would occur between the two teams before the game even began on Saturday Night as after having no issues on Friday Night, the Railers would be forced out of their speciality Jerseys due to the jerseys apparently being too similar in color. Mikael Robidoux would stir the pot during warmups as he fired a puck at Kolby Johnson and cross-checked him, trying to bait him into some pre-game antics. Those two would never hit the ice simultaneously during Saturday’s game. Worcester is now 7-1 this season against Western Conference teams. Tanner Schachle, acquired by the Railers earlier in the week would put up two assists in his first game as a member of the Railers on Friday Night; however, he would be put on the three-day IR on Saturday. Matthew Kopperud would pick up goals in both games as he has seven goals in his last six games. The Railers will head to Trois-Rivieres next weekend for a three-in-three.
Reading Royals (23-22-8-1, 55pts, 5th Place)
The Reading Royals would pick up five of a possible six games during their three-game set vs Maine as they’ve extended their point streak to six games (5-0-1-0). Shane Sellar would have himself a week as he would pick up three goals and two assists for five points over the course of the three-game series. Gage Alexander improves to 4-1 this season since being assigned to the Reading Royals. Jake Smith is also on a three-game point streak as he had two goals and two assists for four points last week. Reading will host Adirondack on Wednesday before heading up to Maine for two games on Saturday and Sunday. Defenseman Lou-Felix Denis would be traded to the Bloomington Bison on Sunday in exchange for future considerations.
Maine Mariners (21-30-3-0, 45pts, 6th Place)
The Maine Mariners would pick up three points last week with a win on Wensday over the Royals and a shootout win against the Nailers. Sebastian Vidmar would play a key part in each of the Mariners victories picking up the game-winning goal in OT on Wensday and the game-winning goal in the shootout on Sunday. Brad Arvanitis would make 30 saves in his second straight start on Sunday in Wheeling for his third win of the season. Ayden MacDonald would play in his 200th ECHL game on Saturday Night and his 10th as a member of the Mariners. Tate Popple would sign an Amateur Tryout with the Mariners and played in all three this weekend with Maine. The Mariners will host the Royals on Friday and Saturday.
Adirondack Thunder (18-32-3-1, 40pts, 7th Place)
The Adirondack Thunder had another tough week, going 1-3 throughout their four games, with their one game coming in a 7-4 defeat on Saturday over the Wheeling Nailers. In Saturday’s game, Adirondack would erupt for five goals in the first period, which would be the most goals scored in a period by the Thunder since December 22nd vs Worcester Railers, and only the fourth time in franchise history with five or more goals in a period. Brendan Less would have three assists in the first period as he had his first career three-point night. Greg Smith would finish the week with four points in four games, while Ryan Francis now has two goals in his last three games for Adirondack. The Thunder will wrap up their eight-game road trip on Wednesday in Reading before welcoming the Wheeling Nailers to town for a three-in-three beginning on Friday Night at Cool Insuring Arena.
Armand Klisivitch’s Wednesday Night Recap
Armand Klisivitch’s Friday Night Recap
Armand Klisivitch’s Saturday Night Recap
Matthew Buhrmann’s Sunday Afternoon Recap
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