Excerpt from 'Rocket Hockey Report' of host Amy Johnson commenting on Arber Xhekaj's recent AHL performances.

The Trois-Rivieres Lions kicked off the 2024 calendar year by hosting the Adirondack Thunder (New Jersey Devils) on Wednesday before heading on the road for a pair of games against the Worcester Railers (New York Islanders) and a rematch against the Thunder over the weekend.

Wednesday: Adirondack Thunder 6 - Trois-Rivieres Lions 1

The first period was scoreless between the division rivals when Adirondack opened the floodgates in the second period with three goals in 1:52. The Thunder added another goal before the second intermission to take a commanding 4-0 lead. In the third period, Charles-Antoine Paiement registered his first career pro goal to put Trois-Rivieres on the board. The New Jersey Devils affiliate added two more goals before the final horn for the easy win.

“We missed some good chances in the first period and if we capitalized on one or two of these chances, it could change the result and the Thunder could be playing on their heels. We lost a lot of one-on-one battles and it seemed like every little mistake we made ended up in our net,” said coach and general manager Ron Choules.

(Quotes courtesy L’Hebdo Journal)

Friday: Trois-Rivieres Lions 4 - Worcester Railers 5 (Shootout)

Matthew Boucher netted a pair of goals in the second period after the Lions trailed by one in the first period. The Railers tied the game prior to Chris Ortiz and gave Trois-Rivieres the lead with consecutive goals. With under five minutes remaining in regulation, the Railers forced overtime with a pair of goals. The seven-minutes of three-on-three did not decide a winner and shootout was needed where the home team clinched the victory with two successful shootout attempts.

Saturday: Trois-Rivieres Lions 5 - Worcester Railers 1

Miguel Tourigny opened the scoring late in the first period with a power play goal. The Railers replied back with a goal early in the second period before the floodgates opened for Trois-Rivieres. Tourigny, Paiement, Boucher and John Parker-Jones added to the Lions lead prior to the second intermission. The third period was scoreless as the visitors headed on to collect the victory.

Sunday: Trois-Rivieres Lions 3 - Adirondack Thunder 5

The North Division rivals exchanged six goals back-and-forth through 40 minutes for a 3-3 tie to start the third period. Boucher, Paiement and Novak were Trois-Rivieres' scorers in the first two periods. The Thunder added two goals in the final period to earn the victory.

Roster News

On Tuesday, the Lions acquired defenceman Cory Thomas from the Utah Grizzlies to complete the October 6th trade in which Trois-Rivieres sent forward Cole Gallant to the Colorado Avalanche's ECHL affiliate. Thomas has recorded three points in 20 games this season in Utah.

On Wednesday, the ECHL announced that forward Anthony Beauregard will represent the Lions at the ECHL All-Star Classic. The game will take place on Monday, January 15th at the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia. Beauregard is currently on the injury reserve list and will likely not return on time for the event. In 26 games this season, the 28-year-old has collected 21 points.

Forward Jakov Novak was named the team's player of the month for the month of December. Novak, drafted 188th overall by the Ottawa Senators in 2018, scored five goals and six points in 12 games in December.

Captain Cedric Montminy did not travel with the team for the three-game road trip over the weekend. The club advised that the absence was due to personal reasons.

Choules might be receiving a phone call from the Rocket as forwards Sean Farrell and Gabriel Bourque did not finish Sunday's game in Utica and are unlikely to be available for Wednesday's game at Place Bell. A recall will be required if Jean-Francois Houle would like to dress 12 forwards for the next contest. Novak, Voyer and Parker-Jones have had stints with Laval this season.

Up Next

By collecting three of the possible eight points available during the week, Trois-Rivieres now sits at third place in the North division with two points separating them from the second place Newfoundland Growlers and two points ahead from the fourth place Norfolk Admirals.

The Lions wrap up the road trip with a stop in Maine on Wednesday to face the Mariners (Boston Bruins) before returning to Trois-Rivieres to host the Atlanta Gladiators (Nashville Predators) at the Colisee Videotron on Friday and Saturday.

Be sure to bookmark THN.com/Montreal for year-round coverage of the Montreal Canadiens, Laval Rocket, and Habs prospects playing in leagues around the world.

Trois-Rivieres Lions Earn Split on Weekend Road Trip | Lions Notepad