As you already know, the Trois-Rivières Lions are experiencing a season far from the expectations issued at the start of the season. In addition to injuries, a lot of player movement has taken place, including some this week.
First pro game, first win … and a record
On Wednesday night, the Lions visited the Worcester Railers in the last game of the season between the two teams. For this matchup, we were watching two things, Étienne Montpetit’s career opener and Anthony Beauregard’s pursuit of a Lions goal record for his 23rd goal of the season.
It was a fast-paced match—two teams with very different destinies but the same goal, to end the season in style. For the Lions, it’s time for auditions for the next season, and for the Railers, it’s the playoff race.
Both teams traded goals throughout the game. It took until the 15th minute of the third period to see Anthony Beauregard beat his personal and team best, which he scored his 23rd of the season with the help of Zach Kaiser and Bradley Johnson.
It will have taken an additional period to decide between the two teams. Ultimately, the Lions had the upper hand over the Railers, thus providing Étienne Montpetit with his first professional victory. He’s made an excellent first impression repelling 36 of the 40 shots directed at him.
Hard day after for Montpetit
After a huge performance against the Railers, the Lions and Montpetit arrived with maximum confidence to face the Reading Royals and ECHL goalkeeper of the hour, veteran Pat Nagle. After a rather quiet first period, the Royals exploded in the second period with four goals against only one for the Lions.
The third period was very eventful. About midway through the third period, a situation on the edge of the boards quickly escalated. Indeed, following a check on Cédrick Lacroix, the latter decided to rush on the Royals player and pound him. He had no choice but to let go of the gloves as well. As the result of this altercation, Cédrick Lacroix was expelled from the meeting. During this sequence, Lacroix suffered an injury that ended his season prematurely.
Another night of firsts for the Lions
On this beautiful Saturday afternoon, just before the start of WrestleMania, the Lions played a second match in as many evenings against the Royals. The penultimate duel of the season between the two teams.
It was once again a night of first for the Lions in net. Indeed, it was William Lavallière’s first game in the professional ranks. Was he going to repeat Montpetit’s performance in his first match?
For this third game of the week, the Lions have tightened their defense, allowing their lowest total shots for several games. Lavallière faced a total of 28 shots stopping 27 of them to also sign his first victory among the pros at 3-1.
Speaking first, Cole Gallant also took advantage of this game to score his first goal in a Trois-Rivières Lions uniform. There is also Nicolas Larivière, who took the opportunity to participate in his first fight since his return to the game, coming back from an injury that kept him out for almost two months.
End the weekend on a good note
Marc-André Bergeron once again called on Étienne Montpetit to protect the feline cage for the last duel of the season between the Lions and the Royals. It was a hard-fought duel between the two teams. A real game of chess where each club did not leave an inch to its adversary.
Reading got on the mark early in the game, thanks to Bakich’s first of the season. It took until the second half of the second engagement to see the Lions respond to the Royals with James Phelan’s goal. Cole Gallant continued where he left off the day before by scoring his second goal in as many games. The Royals replied, thanks to Millman, sending both teams into overtime.
Failing to make a master in the extra period, the individual talent of the Lions had the upper hand over Reading’s one in the shootout, which allowed Montpetit to sign his second win as a Lion.
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