Game Day with Rimouski

January 28, 2011 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Lewiston MAINEiacs News Release


Welcome to Our Place

Tonight is the second game in less than one week between the MAINEiacs and Oceanic, as the two teams previously met up on Sunday at the Colisee de Rimouski. Lewiston picked up a 3-1 win in that game, using a 32-save effort from Andrey Makarov between the pipes. Christophe Lalonde, Sam Henley, and Jess Tanguy scored for the MAINEiacs, while Alex Belzile countered for the Oceanic. Carl Hozjan was the losing goaltender for Rimouski.

From Russia with Glove

Rookie goaltender Andrey Makarov is starting to find his stride in the QMJHL. After starting the season with a 2-6-1 record, Makarov has turned things around drastically, winning five of his last six decisions to even his record at 7-7-1. During his current run, the 17-year old has stopped 152 of the 166 shots directed his way.

That's a Plus

Most followers know that Sam Finn is one of the most responsible defenseman in the QMJHL. Thanks to the power of statistics, that fact is becoming more apparent by the day. Finn enters tonight's contest with the third best plus/minus in the league at plus-35. Saint John Sea Dogs' forward Jonathan Huberdeau (+39) and Quebec Remparts' defenseman Alex Wall (+38) are the only two players currently ahead of Finn in the QMJHL. David Perron (+37 in 2006-07) owns the franchise record for the highest plus/minus in a single season in franchise history.

Back in the Playoffs Again

While they were on the road last weekend, the Lewiston MAINEiacs discovered that they officially locked up a playoff spot for the eighth season in a row. After clinching a position on the final day of the season in each of the last two years, the MAINEiacs had significantly more room to spare, making it official with 57 days left in the campaign.

Head-to-Head

Tonight marks the 35th all-time meeting between the MAINEiacs and Oceanic, as well as the fifth out of six that will take place this season. Thanks to three wins in the previous four tilts this season, Lewiston has opened up an 18-15 lead over Rimouski, and the two teams have tied once. With one game going each club's way on opening weekend, the two sides remain tied with eight wins each, as well as one tie in 17 games at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.

Who to Watch for

Captain Felix Lefrancois has paced the Rimouski offense this season, leading his team with 22 goals, 31 assists, and 53 points. Second place in scoring on the Oceanic belongs to Alex Belzile, who has turned into a great find, as he was selected in the 11th round of the 2009 QMJHL Entry Draft. Buffalo Sabres' draft pick Jerome Gauthier-Leduc leads in defensive scoring with 33 points, while rookie Carl Hozjan has ten wins in the crease.



Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from January 28, 2011


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