'I want to be a part of bringing Worcester a winning team': Railers react to disappointing end of season

WORCESTER — The wound is still fresh for the Worcester Railers.

Following a 4-0 loss to the Trois-Rivières Lions on Sunday, coupled with a Maine Mariners win in overtime, the Railers missed the playoffs for a third straight year on the last day of the regular season.

Just a few days removed from their final game, Railers coach and general manager Jordan Lavallee-Smotherman was still processing having his season come to an abrupt end.

“It’s still very raw, but the first word that comes to mind is disappointment and frustration,” Lavallee-Smotherman said. “I feel like we should have done better than we did, and I know our fan base felt the same way, as well as our ownership.

“I’m disappointed that we weren't able to deliver.”

Still, the 2023-24 season wasn’t a total disappointment for the ECHL team based in Worcester.

Between star forward Blade Jenkins receiving a one-way contract to the American Hockey League, to captain Anthony Repaci setting a record for most goals scored in franchise history, to journeyman goalie John Muse “saving the season” in net, there are some positives to be taken away from the Railers’ campaign.

“Our goal from the beginning of the year was to win in the playoffs, and we fell short of even getting there,” Lavallee-Smotherman said. “It’s hard to put one word on my feeling other than disappointment, but at the same time, there are a lot of bright spots to focus on, and there are a number of players that are very excited to come back next season. And players really enjoyed their time playing in Worcester and have the potential to play again here.

“A lot of positive progress was made this year.”

On Feb. 17, the Hartford Wolfpack of the American Hockey League signed Jenkins to a one-way contract.

Jenkins, 23, was tied with defenseman Connor Welsh for most games played with the Railers at the time, and the 6-foot-2, 198-pound forward was leading the Railers in points. At one point during the season, Jenkins produced a nine-game point streak — that included back-to-back hat tricks in games against the Lions.

“Getting our leading scorer a one-way contract in the American Hockey League was a high for us,” Lavallee-Smotherman said.

On Jan. 13, the Railers came back to beat the Norfolk Admirals, 4-2, on IceCats Night at the DCU Center — an ode to Worcester’s first professional team to play in the DCU Center.

And helping lead the comeback was Repaci, whose tying goal marked his 61st score in a Railers uniform and broke the previous mark of 60, which was held by Barry Almeida.

“To be able to do it at home in front of our fans, and on IceCats Night, and to be able to honor (all the past player), it was super special,” Repaci said.

With a slew of injuries hampering the Railers at goaltender, the addition of Muse between the pipes midway through the year helped the team keep its season on the tracks.

After signing the 35-year-old from East Falmouth on Dec. 19, Muse went 15-12 in net with a .911 saves percentage and 2.77 goals against average. He was voted as team MVP by the Railers Boosters Club.

“He saved our season,” Railers broadcasting and media relations coordinator Tim Foley said. “It was great having him all year.”

Despite finishing the year on a down note, the Railers hope to use that feeling of disappointment and turn it into motivation heading into the next season.

“A lot of the behind the scenes goals we set out to accomplish this year were accomplished,” Lavallee-Smotherman said, “and it’s a great starting point for our organization going forward.”

“I want to be a part of bringing Worcester a winning team again,” Repaci said, “and I won’t be gone until we have some success in the city.”

—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Railers 2023-24 season recap