LEWISTON — While the Lewiston Maineiacs are going through what many would term as a birthing process, the team that is becoming the Maineiacs, the Sherbrooke Castors, are trying desperately to extend their swan song.

It took seven games for the Castors to defeat the Montreal Rocket in the first round of the playoffs, but home-ice advantage paid off in the end for the Castors.

Jean-Francois Plourde scored a power-play goal less than 10 minutes into the second overtime in Game 7 to lift the Castors into the second round. Francis Trudel and Nicolas Corbeil assisted on the goal.

The team currently trailed Hull two games to one in the quarterfinal round, with the fourth game scheduled for late Wednesday night.

“We lost last night, which was disappointing,” said General Manager Normand Gosselin at the press conference in Lewiston Wednesday. “Hopefully we can win tonight, though.”

Should Sherbrooke advance into the semifinals, the Castors would visit either Val d’Or or Shawinigan.

What’s in a name?

George Christie is familiar with the Sherbrooke Castors. The New Vineyard resident is the winner of the naming contest, but he also is one of a few Maine residents who have seen the team in its current form play a game.

“I have family in the Sherbrooke area,” said Christie. “We’d plan trips to visit family around some of the games so we could go watch them play. It’s a shame they have to leave Sherbrooke, though. That’s a great town to watch a game in.”

According to Christie, as soon as he found out that the team was relocating to Lewiston, he went to the Web site to see if he could find any information. That’s when he saw the contest.

“It was the first thing that came to mind,” said Christie. “It just made sense.”

Apparently, the team agreed. Christie will be part of the team’s opening ceremonies at the first home game.

Community action

Reiterating the team’s approach, General Manager Normand Gosselin and Vice President and Governor Matt McKnight assured everyone gathered at the press conference on that the team would have a distinct local flavor.

“We will be looking to the community to fill certain roles,” said Gosselin. “This is a community-based hockey team.”

These kids will be a part of your community,” added McKnight. “We look for people here for input, and it will be (Gosselin’s) job to bring the people what they want.”

McKnight also stressed that the players will be actively involved in most aspects of the community, including youth programs and in the schools.

They will live with you here, be your next door neighbors, go to school with the youth of this community and be active here,” said McKnight.

Travelin’ Lewy

A giant placard bearing the likeness of Lewy will be making its rounds throughout the city starting this week, starting at Simones’ Hot Dogs. After the press conference on Tuesday, team officials were taking the likeness over to the noted downtown business and planned to leave it there for about a week.

“We hope we can bring it around to different businesses in the area and start generating more interest,” said McKnight.

The mascot itself is being produced in Cumberland, and the team hopes that it will be ready for the Maine State Parade, which is set for May 3.

Colorful thought

Black is thought by many to be a menacing color. That’s one of the reasons that the team’s road jerseys will be that color.

“The black jerseys will make the players look a little bit bigger,” said McKnight. “It tends to give the illusion that they are stronger.”

The other reason for the black base, according to McKnight, is marketability.

“Black goes with just about everything,” he said. “It’s a good solid base color.”

jpelletier@sunjournal.com