The Maine Mariners fought valiantly in Trois-Rivieres Saturday afternoon, but the Lions prevailed 4-2.

Maine attempted to come back from a two-goal deficit, but could only manage two goals on the day. Lynden McCallum and Justin Bean scored 52 seconds apart in the second period, but the Mariners lost their fourth in a row to Trois-Rivieres.

The Lions struck quickly. On the game’s first shift, Anthony Beauregard got open in the left-wing circle and deposited an Alex Beaucage feed into the net for a 1-0 lead just 23 seconds in.

Defenseman Chris Jandric doubled the Lions’ lead at the 11:45 mark. Jandric circled around the Mariners’ net and rifled a shot from a sharp angle past goaltender Nolan Maier.

The Mariners took control in the middle frame. McCallum, who was camped to the left of the Lions net, capitalized on a power-play chance by burying a rebound at 5:58 to break the scoring drought for the Mariners.

Maine tied the game 52 seconds later. Bean’s shot from the center point changed direction right in front of goalie Hunter Jones and slipped by him into the twine.

The Mariners were unable to keep the momentum, however. At 18:17 of the second period, Beauregard broke loose for his second goal of the afternoon to put Trois-Rivieres ahead 3-2.

Logan Nijhoff put the game out of reach with an insurance goal for the Lions at 8:52 of the third, after Beaucage’s fanned pass fooled Maier coming across. It was Nijoff’s fourth point of the night.

The Mariners return home for a three-game homestand Sunday against the Worcester Railers. Puck drop is scheduled for 3 Pm ET. It’s “Groundhog Day”,” featuring repeat giveaways and the Mariners have a chance to clinch the VIP Rivalry Cup with a victory.

The Lions will take to the road to visit the Savannah Ghost Pirates Thursday and the Jacksonville Icemen Friday and Saturday.