Game Day with Drummondville
February 27, 2011 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Lewiston MAINEiacs News Release
Switching Venues
The MAINEiacs and Voltigeurs are meeting for the second time in three days this weekend, after the two sides clashed on Friday night in Drummondville. After Lewiston won the first two games of the season series (5-4 & 7-0), the Voltigeurs got a game back, doubling up the MAINEiacs 4-2 at Centre Marcel Dionne. Francis Beauvillier and Ondrej Palat lead their respective squads with three goals each during the season series. Nicholas Champion has started all three games for Lewiston, stopping 91 of 99 shots, while Guillaume Nadeau has started two of the three games for Drummondville, going 1-1. Champion and Nadeau spent part of the 2009-10 season together with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.
Getting Used to Life on the Road
In January and February, fans in Lewiston got to see the MAINEiacs frequently, as the team played 12 out of 17 games at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. Now, the schedule has turned, and Lewiston is in the midst of finishing the season with eight of 11 games on the road.
One Kill from the Top
A quick glance at the statistics will tell readers that the Drummondville Voltigeurs and Saint John Sea Dogs are tied for the best penalty killing percentage in the league. However, the Sea Dogs have been shorthanded one more time than the Voltigeurs, giving them the edge by 0.07%. The MAINEiacs are also in a shorthanded race, as they lead the Montreal Junior by 0.02% for sixth place in that category.
Power Play coming around
While the penalty kill has been consistent for most of the season, the MAINEiacs' power play has put together a roller coaster of results. After going through a 2-for-49 slump, Lewiston's man advantage has responded as of late, connecting for six goals in the last four games. The MAINEiacs enter today's game with the 13th ranked power play in the league at 17.3%, while the Voltigeurs come in with the third best power play in the league, scoring at a 25.8% clip.
He wants to be #1
After starting the season as the top ranked North American skater according to Central Scouting for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, Drummondville's Sean Couturier slipped to second at the midterm ranking period. Since returning to the Voltigeurs from the World Junior Championship, Couturier has at least one point in 14 of the 16 games he has played in, giving him at least one point in 39 of the 50 games he has played in this season.
Head-to-Head
This afternoon marks the 32nd all-time meeting between the MAINEiacs and Voltigeurs, as well as the fourth and final tilt between the two clubs this season. Thanks to their two strongest seasons in franchise history, Drummondville has built an 18-13 lead in the previous 31 games. However, Lewiston has won two of the three contests this season, giving them the chance to win the season series against the Voltigeurs for the first time since 2007-08. With their win on home ice in January, the MAINEiacs are 8-7 against Drummondville at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.
SEASON TICKET HOLDER REMINDERS
Season ticket holders, the deadline to purchase playoff packages exclusively has been extended to Monday, February 28th, before playoff tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, March 1st. Don't miss the excitement of the QMJHL Playoffs in Lewiston!
Also, the annual season ticket holder skate with the team will be taking place on this afternoon, following the MAINEiacs' home game against the Drummondville Voltigeurs! Locker rooms 3 & 4 will be available to be used for changing in and out of skates, as well as the player benches.
LEWY'S LEGION STREET GANG
In preparation for every MAINEiacs' home game, the Lewy's Legion Street Gang makes their way out to the streets of Lewiston and Auburn with bells, horns, signs, and MAINEiacs' gear, hoping to lure the passing drivers into the Androscoggin Bank Colisee for that night's game.
Come join the street gang on today at noon at the intersection of Turner Street and Mount Auburn Avenue, right near the Residence Inn.
MAINEiacs FAN BUS NEWS
Due to low numbers, the Lewiston MAINEiacs regret to inform that the previously scheduled fan bus trip to Halifax and PEI has been canceled.
Those that made a deposit for this trip can visit the MAINEiacs' office during this afternoon's game for a refund.
The MAINEiacs would like to thank Sheila Blanchette for her efforts on the fan bus project.
• Discuss this story on the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League message board...
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2011
- Voltigeurs Shock MAINEiacs, 5-4 - Lewiston MAINEiacs
- Sea Dogs Double Cataractes to End Trip - Saint John Sea Dogs
- Game Day with Drummondville - Lewiston MAINEiacs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Lewiston MAINEiacs Stories
- MAINEiacs Sold to League
- MAINEiacs Owner Explores Options
- Memorial Cup Update
- Proud Past Moment: 2007 Memorial Cup
- Introducing MAINEiacs Madness 2011