The Montreal Canadiens ECHL affiliate are making a push for the playoffs after a good week against the Idaho Steelheads.
The Trois-Rivieres Lions hosted the Idaho Steelheads (Dallas Stars) for three games at Colisee Videotron. It was the firs time since Trois-Rivieres joined the ECHL that the two teams faced each other.
Wednesday: Idaho Steelheads 2 - Trois-Rivieres Lions 1 (OT)
The game was scoreless until midway in the second period when the Steelheads capitalized on a minor against John Parker-Jones to take the lead. Parker-Jones made up for his penalty by tying the score before the second intermission. Idaho needed 1:21 into overtime to obtain the victory. The Steelheads became the second team in the ECHL to clinch a playoff spot.
Friday: Idaho Steelheads 0 - Trois-Rivieres Lions 5
Nicolas Guay, Anthony Beauregard and Nolan Yaremko scored in a span of 2:37 to get a commanding 3-0 lead through 20 minutes. In the second period, Keenan MacIsaac and Cory Thomas added to the home team's lead. Zachary Emond stopped all 23 shots he faced to earn his first career shutout in the ECHL.
Saturday: Idaho Steelheads 4 - Trois-Rivieres Lions 5 (SO)
Idaho opened the scoring during the second minute of the contest and held on to the lead until Alex-Olivier Voyer tied it later in the frame. The Steelheads grabbed the lead back when Jakov Novak and Mason Kohn scored nine second apart. The visitors scored consecutive goals of their own and Novak netted his second of the period to tie it before the second intermission. The third period and overtime did not settle the contest and in shootout, Voyer and Novak succeeded to give the home team the victory.
Roster News
The team announced that Canadiens prospect Miguel Tourigny is out week-to-week with an upper body injury after being struck in the face by the puck during March 8th game against the Worcester Railers.
Strauss Mann returned to Laval on Monday and practiced with the Rocket all week before being returned to Trois-Rivieres on Friday.
Markuss Komuls was suspended by the team on Thursday as the defenseman decided to return overseas to continue his career. This was Komuls second season with the Lions and finished this season with seven points in 48 games.
Keenan MacIsaac signed on Thursday and scored his first goal as a professional in his second game on Saturday. The defenseman played 21 games with University of Ottawa and totaled four assists.
Up Next
By obtaining five of the six available points in the standings and six wins in their last 10 matches, Trois-Rivieres is back in the picture to push for a playoff spot. They currently sit two points out with 10 of their last 14 games of the regular season against division rivals.
The Lions head on the road for four game this week, starting with the Jacksonville Icemen (Buffalo Sabres) on Wednesday, the Atlanta Gladiators (Nashville Predators) on Friday and a back to back games against the South Carolina Stingrays (Washington Capitals) on Saturday and Sunday.
The ECHL trade deadline is on Thursday, March 21st at 3:00 pm. EDT. With only six defensemen currently available on the roster, the Lions may look at making an acquisition via trade or a free agent.
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