Goaltender Joe Vrbetic has struggled with consistency this season, but he showed the extent of his talent in the Trois-Rivières Lions’ 2-1 win over the Florida Everblades on Saturday at the Colisée Videotron.
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The Montreal Canadiens’ seventh-round pick in 2021 stood like a wall in front of the Panthers’ school club in the ECHL. He made 41 saves and frustrated the Everblades in four massive attacking situations.
Once again, Cédric Montminy and Anthony Beauregard were the Lions’ offensive engines. Captain Montminy opened the scoring midway through the middle and completed an excellent passing game that also included Brett Stapley and Cam Cook.
Beauregard, second in the Trois-Rivières team’s goalscoring charts, scored the winning goal in the third period. His skillful deflection of Ryan Francis’ quick pass gave goalkeeper Cam Johnson no chance.
Andrew Fyten prevented Vrbetic from signing his first shutout of his pro career.
The Lions will get back to work for the first game of a three-game series against the Norfolk Admirals at the Colisée Vidéotron on Wednesday.