This divisional recap summarizes the North Division teams in the ECHL, focusing on their standings, recent game results, player milestones, and key statistics. With just two weeks left in the regular season, just two spots remain in the North Division after the Wheeling Nailers became the second team in the North to punch their ticket to the Kelly Cup Playoffs. It would also be a big week for the goaltenders in the North Division.
Trois-Rivieres Lions (43-14-6-2, 94pts, 1st Place)
On Tuesday, the Lions would announce the signing of rookie forward Kyle Havlena. Trois-Rivieres would also release forwards William Provost and Liam Peyton. The Trois-Rivieres Lions would pick up five of a possible six points in their three games in Worcester. This comes just one week after the Lions had gotten swept in Worcester the week prior. Andrew Coxhead would pick up his first goal as a member of the Lions on Sunday. Anthony Beauregard continues to rewrite the Lions record books as he has 63 points on the season, a new franchise record for Trois-Rivieres, and is just two points shy of his career high. Beauregard is on a six-game point streak, with two goals and eight assists for 10 points.
The Lions will now head out to Maine, where they will play four games, with three of them this week on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Wheeling Nailers (39-23-3-1, 82pts 2nd Place)
The Wheeling Nailers would officially become the second North Division team to punch their ticket to the Kelly Cup Playoffs after a weekend sweep that included two wins over the Cincinnati Cyclones and a win over the Bloomington Bison. Wheeling now has 22 wins on home ice, which is the most they’ve had in the last 20 years. Derek Army would win his 148th game behind the bench of the Nailers, becoming the franchise leader in wins as a Head Coach. Both goaltenders for Wheeling would be on display, as Taylor Gautheir won Goalie of the Week, and Thomas Gale became the first goaltender since Franky Palazzese in 2014 to win his professional debut. Logan and Chase Pietila would get the opportunity to play together as they were both in the starting lineup on Friday Night.
Wheeling will host Reading for a three-in-three beginning on Friday Night.
Norfolk Admirals (37-23-4-1, 79pts, 3rd Place)
The Norfolk Admirals would host the Savannah Ghost Piates for two games on Friday and Saturday after having their Wednesday game vs Reading Royals would be postponed. Norfolk would explode for 11 goals in their two games against Savannah. Hank Crone made his Admirals debut this weekend and had three goals and two assists for five points in the two games. Crone wouldn’t be the only Admiral to make an impression in their debut as Colton Young added a goal and an assist on the weekend as well. Bryce Brodzinski joined the party as well picking up his first point as an Admiral with an assist on Friday Night. Matt Crasa, who signed an ATO with the Admirals would pick up his first pro goal on Saturday Night. Thomas Milic would be named the ECHL Goaltender of the Month on Monday before being called up to the Manitoba Moose.
Norfolk has a long week ahead as they’ll host the Royals on Wednesday, before heading out for a three-in-three vs Iowa Heartlanders beginning on Friday Night.
Worcester Railers (32-29-2-4, 70pts, 4th Place)
The Worcester Railers continue to hold onto the final playoff spot in the North Division despite losing two of three games during their series vs Trois-Rivieres Lions. Anthony Repaci would continue to stay hot as he’s now on a nine-game point streak (4G, 10A) after picking up the game-winning goal on Friday and adding an assist on Saturday and Sunday. Pito Walton would add his first two goals as a member of the Railers, scoring in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, as he finished the weekend with three points (2G, 1A).
Worcester will head to Adirondack on Friday, before finishing off their home slate of games in the regular season with games on Saturday and Sunday against the Thunder.
Reading Royals (29-25-9-2, 69pts, 5th Place)
The Royals would have an intresting start to their week after having their Wendnesday Night game in Norfolk postponed due to ice issues. Reading would finish the week by picking up three out of six points on the weekend against the Maine Mariners. Despite the results, Reading has had problems scoring as of late as they’ve scored three goals of less in six of their last seven games. Sam Sedley would break a seven-game pointless streak with a goal on Saturday and would add an assist on Sunday as he now leads all Reading defensemen with 32 points on the season.
It doesn’t get easier for the Royals as they will have to travel to Norfolk for a make-up game on Wednesday, before heading up to Wheeling for a three-in-three beginning on Friday Night.
Maine Mariners (28-33-4-0, 60pts, 6th Place)
The Maine Mariners would play spoiler last weekend picking up four of six points against the Royals. Brad Arvanitis would be thrown into the fire and would start all three games of the three-in-three with Nolan Maier getting the call-up to the Providence Bruins. Alex Dipaolo would pick up his first career point with an assist on Sunday. Chase Zieky would pick up his 100th career point with a goal in Sunday’s game.
The Mariners will host Trois-Rivieres on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Adirondack Thunder (24-37-3-2, 53pts, 7th Place)
Before the Thunder started the week, they made a handful of moves as they signed Lars Ronde and Dan Ebrahim. They also claimed defenseman Dennis Busby off waivers from the Fort Wayne Komets on Thursday. Adirondack had one of their best weeks in a while, picking up five out of a possible six points in their series vs the Indy Fuel.
It was the first time Adirondack had won back-to-back games since February 1st and 2nd. Jeremy Brodeur would pick up his sixth career shutout on Friday, and Henry Welsh would get his first one on Saturday Night. It was the first time since 2016 that Adirondack recorded shutouts on back-to-back nights. Lars Rodne would score his first professional goal for the Thunder on Wednesday, and Friday, Dennis Busby would pick up his first two career assists. Greg Smith would score the 10th short-handed goal for the Thunder on Saturday, as they are now tied for first in that category. Adirondack will host Worcester on Friday before heading out to Worcester for games on Saturday and Sunday.
Armand Klisivitch’s Wednesday Night Recap
Armand Klisivitch’s Friday Night Recap
ITR 32: The Final Countdown – Inside The Rink
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