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Norfolk Admirals’ 10-year playoff drought ends this week against Trois-Rivières in ECHL playoffs opener

Norfolk Admirals forward Stepan Timofeyev, center, is greeted by teammates Brady Fluent, left, and Darick Louis-Jean after his goal against Reading on April 3. (Billy Schuerman/Staff)
Norfolk Admirals forward Stepan Timofeyev, center, is greeted by teammates Brady Fluent, left, and Darick Louis-Jean after his goal against Reading on April 3. (Billy Schuerman/Staff)
Staff mug of Jami Frankenberry. As seen Thursday, March 2, 2023.
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The Norfolk Admirals will end a decade-long postseason drought when they visit Trois-Rivières in Quebec for the opener Wednesday night in a best-of-seven first-round Kelly Cup playoff series.

The Admirals and Lions will play the first three games at Colisée Vidéotron in Quebec, and Norfolk will host the rest of the series at Scope, beginning with Game 4 at 7:05 p.m. Sunday.

Norfolk finished the regular season 41-21-6-1 and clinched its first playoff berth since 2013-14. Trois-Rivières (31-30-5-3) is making its second playoff appearance in the past three seasons.

The Admirals won 7 of 8 regular-season meetings against the Lions. The Admirals-Lions series winner advances to the North Division finals to face either Adirondack or Maine.

Norfolk is coming off its winningest regular season since 2011-12 and has its first winning record since moving from the AHL to the ECHL in 2015-16. The Admirals finished second in the ECHL North behind Adirondack.

Kelly Cup Playoffs

All series are best-of-seven

North Division semifinals

#2 Norfolk Admirals (41-21-7) vs. #3 Trois-Rivières Lions (31-30-8)

Game 1: Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Trois-Rivières

Game 2: Friday at 7 p.m. at Trois-Rivières

Game 3: Saturday at 7 p.m. at Trois-Rivières

Game 4: April 24 at 7:05 p.m. at Norfolk

Game 5: April 27 at 7:05 p.m. at Norfolk (if necessary)

Game 6: April 28 at 7:05 p.m. at Norfolk (if necessary)

Game 7: May 1 at 7:05 p.m. at Norfolk (if necessary)

#1 Adirondack Thunder (43-18-11) vs. #4 Maine Mariners (32-32-8)

Game 1: Friday at 7 p.m. at Adirondack

South Division semifinals

#1 Greenville Swamp Rabbits (44-23-5) vs. #4 Orlando Solar Bears (38-24-10)

Game 1: Sunday at 3:05 p.m. at Greenville

#2 Jacksonville Icemen (42-23-7) vs. #3 Florida Everblades (40-23-9)

Game 1: Thursday at 7 p.m. at Jacksonville

Central Division semifinals

#1 Toledo Walleye (48-14-9) vs. #4 Kalamazoo Wings (38-30-4)

Game 1: Friday at 7:15 p.m. at Toledo

#2 Indy Fuel (39-25-8) vs. #3 Wheeling Nailers (38-28-5)

Game 1: Friday at 7 p.m. at Indy

Mountain Division semifinals

#1 Kansas City Mavericks (54-12-6) vs. #4 Tulsa Oilers (30-33-9)

Game 1: Wednesday at 8:05 p.m. at Kansas City

#2 Idaho Steelheads (48-20-4) vs. #3 Allen Americans (33-35-4)

Game 1: Monday, April 22, at 9:10 p.m. at Idaho

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