Game Five in Lewiston Tonight

April 1, 2011 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Lewiston MAINEiacs News Release


Despite a snowy day in the state of Maine, tonight's game between the Lewiston MAINEiacs and Moncton Wildcats is still on as scheduled, with puck drop set for 7:30. Both teams are currently in Lewiston, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League will be doing everything in its power to make sure that the game is played.

MAINEiacs/WILDCATS GAME DAY SNAPSHOT

LEWISTON MAINEiacs

(3-1)

23-F-Etienne Brodeur (2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points)

26-F-Michael Chaput (2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points)

71-F-Kirill Kabanov (1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points)

44-D-Olivier Dame-Malka (1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points)

25-D-Jonathan Parisien (3 assists, 3 points)

31-G-Nicholas Champion (3-1 record, 2.18 GAA, .919 Sv%)

MONCTON WILDCATS

(1-3)

21-F-Alex Saulnier (1 goal, 4 assists, 5 points)

15-F-Marek Hrivik (5 assists, 5 points)

19-F-Allain Saulnier (3 goals, 1 assist, 4 points)

23-F-Daniel Pettersson (2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points)

52-D-Simon Jodoin (1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points)

35-G-Brandon Thibeau (1-3 record, 2.68 GAA, .911 Sv%)

Special Teams

Lewiston Power Play: 3-for-16 (18.8%), 10th

Moncton Power Play: 3-for-25 (12.0%), 14th

Lewiston Penalty Kill: 22-for-25 (88.0%), 3rd

Moncton Penalty Kill: 13-for-16 (81.2%), 7th

MAINEiacs/WILDCATS GAME DAY PRIMER

Welcome to Game 5

Tonight is game five of the first round series between the Lewiston MAINEiacs and Moncton Wildcats. After dropping the first game of the series 4-1 at home, the MAINEiacs have won each of the last three contests, taking a 2-1 decision in game two at home, before 4-2 and 4-3 (OT) victories at Moncton Coliseum this week. Lewiston currently leads the best-of-seven series three games to one.

Battle in the Crease

Prior to the series, there was lots of talk surrounding the goaltending match-up of Nicholas Champion and Brandon Thibeau. Through four games, the two backstops are doing their best to silence the critics, putting forth some of their better performances this year. Champion and Thibeau both currently have goals against averages under 2.75, as well as save percentages above .910.

Brodeur Plays Hero

Etienne Brodeur netted 53 goals during the regular season, with six of the tallies counting as game winners, and two coming in overtime. Prior to Wednesday, Brodeur had yet to find the back of the net in the series, but made up for it in a big way. After scoring once in regulation, the 19-year old broke a 3-3 tie at 8:49 of overtime, lifting the MAINEiacs to their third win of the series. Brodeur and Michael Chaput currently lead Lewiston with four points each in the series.

Twin Attack

Alex and Allain Saulnier have been two of Moncton's biggest offensive threats in the series, combining for nine of the Wildcats' 27 points through the first four games. The brothers finished first and third on their team during the regular season, as Alex registered 85 points and Allain registered 71 points. Marek Hrivik finished second with 79 points, and is currently tied for first in the series with five points.

Power Plays

Through the first four games of the series, both power play units have connected for three goals. Lewiston netted two power play goals in game three and one in game four, putting them at 3-for-16 (18.8%) in the series. On the other side of the ice, Moncton picked up one power play goal in game one, before scoring two in game four, putting them at 3-for-25 (12.0%) in the series. The Wildcats have the only shorthanded marker in the series, recording that in game three.

One of the Longer Series

The MAINEiacs and Wildcats are playing in just the fifth game of their series tonight, but it is already one of the three longest series in this year's first round. Saint John, Montreal, Quebec, Drummondville, and Victoriaville all swept their respective series, leaving Lewiston and Moncton (3-1 Lew), Shawinigan and PEI (3-1 Sha), and Gatineau and Rimouski (3-1 Gat) to be decided.



Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2011


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