This divisional recap summarizes the North Division teams in the ECHL, focusing on their standings, recent game results, player milestones, and key statistics. On Sunday, Adirondack and Wheeling would set the season record for combined penalty minutes in a game and the Nailers would have the most penalty minutes by a single team in a game.
Trois-Rivieres Lions (37-12-4-2, 80pts, 1st Place)
After a couple of rough weeks at home, the Trois-Rivieres Lions would get back on track, picking up five of a possible six points at home vs the Worcester Railers. Goaltender Luke Cavallin would pick up each of the two wins for the Railers, including a season-high 45 saves in Sunday’s 2-1 win. Cavallin would also add an assist on Friday Night. Anthony Beauregard would pick up his 100th ECHL career goal on Saturday Night, his 22nd of the season. Jacob Paquette would pick his second goal of the season during the weekend and his first goal since October 30th vs Reading. The Lions will head out for a three-game road trip beginning Wednesday in Wheeling before heading to Reading for games on Friday and Saturday.
Wheeling Nailers (33-18-3-1, 70pts, 2nd Place)
Wheeling headed to Adirondack for a three-in-three after splitting the first two games of the season series last weekend in Wheeling. The Nailers would pick up three of a possible six points on the weekend despite getting shutout twice. Despite getting handed two losses, Taylor Gauthier played great, stopping 63 of the 64 shots he faced on the weekend. On Sunday, the Nailers would finish the game with the most PIMs in a game by one team this season (101) in a game with a combined 186 PIMs. It’s a busy week for the Nailers as they will host the Lions on Wednesday morning, the Fort Wayne Komets on Friday, and then the Cincinnati Cyclones on Saturday and Sunday.
Armand Klisivitch’s Friday Night Recap
Armand Klisivitch’s Saturday Night Recap
Armand Klisivitch’s Sunday Afternoon Recap
Norfolk Admirals (33-20-3-0, 69pts, 3rd Place)
Before starting their week on the ice, the Admirals would trade Spencer Kennedy to the Kalamazoo Wings in exchange for future considerations. The Norfolk Admirals took two out of three games last week vs the Florida Everblades, who currently lead the North Division. Andrei Bakanov would have himself a week picking up two goals and two assists in the first two games of the series. Grant Hebert continued his success as he added another three points for the Admirals, and he now has seven points in eight games since joining the team. Brady Fleurent picked up points in all three games last week, putting up two goals and four assists for six points. Norfolk will head to Maine on Tuesday before playing a three-in-three with the Railers beginning Thursday.
Reading Royals (25-22-9-1, 60pts, 4th Place)
There’s no stopping the Reading Royals, who picked up five out of six points and beat Adirondack on Wednesday before spitting the short two-game series in Maine. On Friday, Mitch Deelstra would make his pro debut memorable, picking up his first career goal, despite the Royals suffering a 2-1 OT loss. Deelesta wouldn’t be the only Royal who made his pro debut last week, as Nick Cafarelli would make his pro debut for the Royals in Saturday’s 4-1 win. It would be the first win in Maine for the Royals since January 20th, 2024. Jake Smith would add three assists for the Royals last week and now has seven points in his last six games. Reading will look to extend their nine-game home point streak this weekend as they host the Lions for two games beginning on Friday Night.
Worcester Railers (27-25-2-4, 60pts, 5th Place)
The Worcester Railers had a rough weekend North of the Border as they would pick up just one point over the course of the three game series vs Lions. Goaltender Micheal Bullion would appear in two of the three games picking up the win on Saturday and then being forced to come in relif of Hugo Ollas on Sunday. The Alaska, native would stop 55 of the 58 shots he saw on the weekend. Worcester will host Norfolk for three games beginning on Thursday Night. The Railers have enjoyed playing at the DCU Center as they are 8-1-1-1 at home since 12/31.
Maine Mariners (22-31-3-0, 47pts, 6th Place)
The Maine Mariners would split their weekend series with the Reading Royals as they would start the weekend with an OT win before dropping Saturday’s game 4-1. Despite the loss on Saturday Night, the Mariners played in front of a franchise record 6,059 fans. After getting off to a shaky start to the season, Brad Arvanitis has now won his last three starts allowing just four goals over the course of those three games. Maine will finish off their three-game homestand on Tuesday Morning as they face the Norfolk Admirals. The Mariners will then travel to Adirondack for games on Friday and Saturday.
Adirondack Thunder (20-34-3-1, 44pts, 7th Place)
The Adirondack Thunder went 2-2 last week as their week began with a loss to the Reading Royals to finish their eight-game road trip. Adirondack would then take two out of three against the second-place Wheeling Nailers over the weekend. For the first time in his career, Jeremy Brodeur would start all three games of the three-in-three for the first time in his ECHL career. The 28-year-old goaltender would pick up two shutouts over the weekend to lead the Thunder to the series win. On Sunday, Adirondack and Wheeling would combine for 186 minutes, which is a season-high in the ECHL. Isaiah Fox would also notch his first career goal after signing with the Thunder last week. Adirondack will host the Maine Mariners on Friday and Saturday Night.
Armand Klisivitch’s Friday Night Recap
Armand Klisivitch’s Saturday Night Recap
Armand Klisivitch’s Sunday Afternoon Recap
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