Trois-Rivieres Lions Enjoy Perfect Weekend | Lions Notepad

The Trois-Rivieres Lions hosted the Newfoundland Growlers for a tripleheader over the weekend starting on Friday. There's a natural rivalry between the two teams built in since the Lions joined the ECHL for the 2021-22 season. Trois-Rivieres and Newfoundland are affiliated with the Canadiens and the Maple Leafs respectively, only two ECHL teams located in Canada and up to the start of this season, both clubs were owned by Deacon Sports Entertainment.  

The score was 1-1 through 20 minutes before Trois-Rivieres added three goals during the second period with three consecutive goals to take the 4-1 lead. The Growlers outshot the Lions 13-4 in the third period but were unable to get any pucks behind goalie Joe Vrebtic. Forward Anthony Beauregard obtained one goal and one assist in the victory. 

"We started slowly, but the guys remained within the structure. We skated well and kept things simple. We gained rhythm and from that point, we did well," coach and general manager Ron Choules said.  

(Quotes courtesy of Le Nouvelliste)

On Saturday, captain Cedric Montminy opened the scoring during the third minute of action and that launched an avalanche of teddy bears on the ice for the annual toss. The 2,000 stuffed animals and 100 kilos of non perishable food items collected will be handed over to children in need by Artisans de la Paix, who will include the stuffed animals in Christmas baskets. 

Trois-Rivieres had 4-0 lead through 40 minutes before Newfoundland got on the board. The Lions outshot the Growlers 53-29 as they headed to 5-2 victory. Beauregard was named the first start for a second consecutive contest with two goals and one assist in the afternoon. 

The Growlers took an early lead with a goal at 1:48 after puck drop, It was the first time this season that the Lions trailed after 20 minutes. The home squad capitalized on a power play early in the second period to tie the contest. The score remained tied through 60 minutes and in overtime, Jakov Novak sealed the victory at 4:38. 

"Three-in-three is never easy, and with the same team. I think we know each other inside-out now but we ran it hard. I got to give their club a lot of credit too. They could have packed it in but they played hard and skated well. It was a good fight between both teams," said Choules evaluating the contest. 

Forwards Nolan Yaremko and Jakov Novak were recalled by the Laval Rocket for Wednesday night's game at Place Bell. Yaremko dressed for 12 games with the Rocket last season, while Novak was making his AHL debut. Both players were returned to Trois-Rivieres on time for the tripleheader against the Growlers. 

On October 30th, forwards Nicolas Guay and William Lemay were placed on injury reserve due to lower body injuries. Guay has one point in five games and Lemay was held off the scoresheet in the only match he dressed this season. 

Forwards Daryk Plouffe-Dube and Parker Saretsky were added to the roster to add depth following the two injuries. Last season, Plouffe-Dube collected 99 points in 42 games with the Miramichi Timberwolves in the Maritime Hockey League. Saretsky totaled 20 points in 39 games with Michigan Tech in the NCAA. 

The Lions hit the road for two games over the weekend beginning on Friday in Maine to face the Mariners (Boston Bruins) and the Adirondack Thunder (New Jersey Devils) on Sunday. 

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