While the Montreal Canadiens rubbed shoulders with the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena, their school club in the ECHL broke up in Newfoundland. The Lions of Trois-Rivières bent the spine 3 to 1 against the Growlers.
Marc-André Bergeron’s squad suffered a second setback in 24 hours against the best team in the North section. On Friday, she had dropped the flag 5 to 3 against these same Growlers.
Pavel Gogolev took care of the visitors. The Moscow striker beat Joe Vrbetic twice in the middle period, then completed his hat trick in an empty net.
Ryan Chyzowski scored the Growlers’ other goal.
Former Trois-Rivières University Patriotes Nicolas Larivière reduced the lead to two goals in the third period, beating Luke Cavallin on a breakaway.
Vrbetic didn’t look bad in the loss. He performed 27 parades.
The Lions will seek revenge on Sunday, once again at Mary Brown’s Center.