Trois-Rivieres Lions Humbled by Admirals | Lions Notepad

The Trois-Rivieres Lions will be spending a lot of time on the road over the next three weeks with a stretch of nine of the next 10 games away from the Colisee Videotron.

The first segment of the road trip began with three games in Norfolk against the Admirals (Winnipeg Jets). 

The Admirals took an early lead with a goal during the second minute after puck drop and added another during a power play to lead 2-0 through 20 minutes.

The home team scored two more times in the third period as they headed to 4-0 shutout victory.

The score was tied 2-2 early in the third period when Trois-Rivieres added two goals to take the lead. Norfolk cut the deficit to one with a power play goal with 3:26 remaining in regulation. An empty netter in the final minute sealed the Lions victory. 

Anthony Beauregard finished the contest with three points and plus-4. 

Justin Ducharme put Trois-Rivieres on the board with a power play during the sixth minute of action before Norfolk answered back later in the period to send the teams to the dressing tied through 20 minutes. 

The Admirals added one goal in the second and three more in the final period to distance themselves from the Lions. With 12 seconds remaining, Jakov Novak tallied his eighth of the season and is now tied with Beauregard for most goals on the team.

After an excellent start to the 2023-24 season, goalie Joe Vrbetic has lost his last three starts. During the current sequence, the Canadiens seventh round pick in 2021 has allowed 13 goals and maintained .873 save percentage.   

With the amount of injuries throughout the organization in the forward groups, Jakov Novak is the only forward in Trois-Rivieres with an AHL contract.

John Parker-Jones, Alex-Olivier Voyer and Noel Yaremko began the season in the ECHL before being recalled by the Rocket.

On defence, Miguel Tourigny, Noah Laaouan and Christopher Merisier-Ortiz have AHL contracts, as are Joe Vrbetic and Zachary Emond in goal. 

Following this weekend's results, Trois-Rivieres remains first place in the North division with a four point lead over Norfolk. 

The Lions continue their road trip this week in South Carolina on Wednesday against the Stingrays (Washington Capitals), then a stop in Savannah to face the Ghost Pirates (Vegas Golden Knights) on Thursday.

On the weekend, Trois-Rivieres will be in Jacksonville to face the Icemen (Buffalo Sabres) and end their trip on Sunday with a rematch against the Stingrays. 

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