Round 2 Preview: Norfolk Admirals vs. Trois-Rivières Lions
May 1, 2025 - ECHL (ECHL)
Trois-Rivieres Lions News Release
TROIS-RIVIÈRES - The Lions (affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) earned their place in Round 2 with an emphatic four-game sweep of the Reading Royals, while the Admirals (Winnipeg Jets affiliate) punched their ticket by dispatching the Wheeling Nailers in five games.
Regular Season Rivalry
This season, the two teams were evenly matched. They faced off ten times, each side taking five wins. However, Trois-Rivières holds a slight advantage, having earned 11 out of a possible 20 points-thanks to one shootout loss-compared to 10 points for Norfolk.
The Lions also edged the Admirals in total goals scored over the season series, 31 to 29. Trois-Rivières was dominant at home throughout the season, losing only six games in regulation at Colisée Vidéotron-though two of those losses came against Norfolk. On the road, the Lions were solid in Norfolk, winning four of six games played at Scope Arena.
Among the offensive standouts, Tommy Cormier and Justin Ducharme led the way for the Lions with seven points each against the Admirals, while Norfolk's Brady Fleurent matched that tally against Trois-Rivières.
Goaltending Spotlight
Goaltending could prove to be the defining factor in the series. Lions netminder Luke Cavallin was outstanding in Round 1, winning all four games with a 1.59 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage. However, Cavallin has since been recalled by the AHL's Laval Rocket, and might not be back in Trois-Rivière before the start of the 2nd round.
Opposite him stands Thomas Milic, Norfolk's standout rookie goaltender. Milic boasts a 1.25 GAA and a .961 save percentage through four playoff appearances, with just one loss. In two regular season starts against the Lions, he allowed only one goal over six periods.
Special Teams Battle
Special teams are expected to play a major role in this series. The Lions ranked 2nd in the ECHL in power play efficiency and 5th in penalty killing during the regular season. But against Norfolk, their power play struggled, converting just 5 of 43 opportunities (11.6%).
The Admirals finished 19th in the league with the man advantage, but fared slightly better in head-to-head play with 5 power-play goals on 31 chances (16.1%).
Series Schedule
Game 1 - Friday, May 2 - 7:00 p.m. @ Colisée Vidéotron
Game 2 - Sunday, May 4 - 3:00 p.m. @ Colisée Vidéotron
Game 3 - Thursday, May 8 - 7:05 p.m. @ Scope Arena
Game 4 - Friday, May 9 - 7:05 p.m. @ Scope Arena
Game 5 (if necessary) - Sunday, May 11 - 5:05 p.m. @ Scope Arena
Game 6 (if necessary) - Tuesday, May 13 - 7:00 p.m. @ Colisée Vidéotron
Game 7 (if necessary) - Wednesday, May 14 - 7:00 p.m. @ Colisée Vidéotron
ECHL Stories from May 1, 2025
- Round 2 Preview: Norfolk Admirals vs. Trois-Rivières Lions - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Goaltender Ryan Fanti Loaned to Orlando Solar Bears from Syracuse Crunch - Orlando Solar Bears
- Royals in the Community: 2024-25 Season Highlights - Reading Royals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
