The Trois-Rivières Lions thought they had a chance after coming close to the Maine Mariners late in the game, but Mitchell Fossier's hat trick changed everything for the local favorites, who won 5-2. Friday at the Cross Insurance Arena.

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The visitors had been able to tie the game at two goals all at the start of the third period, but goaltender Philippe Desrosiers was bombarded with 15 shots in that engagement, which changed the situation.

Fossier notably scored the winning goal at 9 min 20 s. On the streak, the American found his way between two Lions defenders to spectacularly outwit Desrosiers. He completed his hat-trick with just under five minutes left in the game, with a good backhand shot.

Trois-Rivières also had its sniper for this meeting. In four games with the Lions, Karl El-Mir had not been able to blacken the score sheet. The Montrealer did not miss his chance this time by shaking the ropes twice.

It was he who broke the ice in the first period by bypassing the net of François Brassard to surprise the Quebec goalkeeper. El-Mir tied it 2-2 in the third period by taking advantage of the confusion in front of the Mariners goal. With a backhand shot, he brought the two formations back to square one, before Maine returned to the charge.

Sherbrooke native forward Alex-Olivier Voyer was the other player from the local team who got the better of Desrosiers, in addition to collecting an assist. Patrick Shea also hit the target in an empty net.

The Lions will play their third game in as many days to end 2022 on Saturday against the Adirondack Thunder at Cool Insuring Arena.