ECHL Weekend Recap: Norfolk Admirals vs. Trois-Rivieres Lions | 12/20-12/22/2024

Over the last few weeks, the Norfolk Admirals have been on an incredible run, winning 10 straight games to keep pace with North Division leaders, the Wheeling Nailers. Looking to keep the streak alive, the Admirals welcomed the Trois-Rivières Lions to town for the first time this season.

Norfolk vs. Trois-Rivieres Game One

On Friday night, the Lions got the best of the Admirals with a 5-3 win, breaking their 10-game win streak.

Early in the first period, the Admirals found themselves up 2-0 with goals from Stepan Timofeyev at 4:57 and Carson Golder at 6:06. However, the Lions quickly responded with a goal of their own at 8:32, as Anthony Beauregard cut the Admirals’ lead in half.

The Lions’ Alex Beaucage made it a 2-2 game at 4:42 of the second period. At 12:01, Trois-Rivières took its first lead as Xavier Cormier tallied the go-ahead goal. The second period ended with a 3-2 lead for the Lions.

Early in the third, Cory Thomas scored what would be the game-winning goal at 2:17 of the final frame. In an effort to get back into the game, but ultimately falling short, Brady Fleurent brought the Admirals within one at 8:49 of the third period. At 11:36, however, Beauregard tallied his second goal of the game, an insurance marker, to put the game to bed, making it a 5-3 final.

Kristen Stead took the loss with 26 saves, while Zachary Emond picked up the win with 27 saves in the effort.

Norfolk vs. Trois-Rivieres Game Two

After losing 5-3 to end their 10-game win streak, the Admirals were looking for a much better performance on Teddy Bear Toss night. However, they fell short once again, blowing another lead and losing 3-2 to the Lions.

It was a battle between two goalies who had yet to be beaten in regulation, with one still undefeated. The Admirals turned to Domenic DiVincentiis between the pipes, who was 8-0-0 since being sent down to Norfolk. The Lions turned to Hunter Jones, who had a 5-0-3 record.

Through the first 14 minutes, shots were minimal, with the Admirals holding a 2-1 advantage. Despite only registering two shots, the Admirals had some solid chances to take the lead but came up empty. The final six minutes of the first period saw both teams generate opportunities, but the goaltenders rose to the challenge, and things remained scoreless after one period. Norfolk held a 7-3 shot advantage for the period.

The Norfolk faithful only had to wait 2:37 into the second period to release the bears, as Justin Young scored his fourth of the season to put the Admirals up 1-0 on a rebound goal. Despite a nearly 10-minute delay due to teddy bear pickup, the Lions responded quickly, with Jonathan Yantsis tying the game at 3:54. Late in the second, Ben Zloty gave the Admirals a 2-1 lead heading into the locker room.

The lead didn’t last long in the third period, as Morgan Adams-Moisan tied the game at 4:33. Beaucage proved to be the difference maker, scoring the game-winning goal at 15:31 of the third period.

The Lions handed DiVincentiis his first loss with the Admirals, as he made 18 saves. Jones remained unbeaten in regulation, making 25 saves in the win.

Norfolk vs. Trois-Rivieres Game Three

The third and final game of the weekend between the Admirals and Lions was much better from the Admirals’ standpoint. Despite finding themselves down 1-0 after one period, following a Tommy Cormier goal, the Admirals responded early in the second period, as Pavel Padakin scored the lone goal of the period.

The Admirals exploded in the third period, scoring four goals from Golder, Ryan Chyzowski, Fleurent, and Padakin, who added his second of the game. T. Cormier tallied his second goal of the game, but it made no difference as the Admirals took the third game 5-2.

DiVincentiis improved to 9-1-0-0 following his 20-save performance. Emond took the loss for the Lions but had a fantastic game, making 28 saves in the defeat.

Up Next

After a few days off for Christmas, the Admirals will travel to Georgia for a three-in-three series, starting with the Savannah Ghost Pirates on Dec. 27, followed by the Atlanta Gladiators on Dec. 28 and 29.

The Lions will return home for a meeting with the Adirondack Thunder on Dec. 27. They will then have a home-and-home with the Maine Mariners on Dec. 29 and Dec. 31.