Chicoutimi scores three goals in the 3rd period to pull away for a 5-3 win over Lewiston.
CHICOUTIMI, Quebec – For the second consecutive game to open the season, the Lewiston Maineiacs grabbed a one-goal lead after one period. And for the second consecutive game, they couldn’t hold on.
Maxime Boisclair scored two goals to lead the Chicoutimi Sagueneens to a 5-3 victory over the Maineiacs on Saturday night.
Francis Lemieux added three assists, and goaltender Alexandre Vincent made 25 saves to preserve the win.
“We didn’t play with as much emotion as we did all in the preseason,” said Maineiacs coach Mario Durocher. “I don’t know what the problem is at all, but we don’t seem to have the intensity.”
Heading into the third period, the game remained tied at two. After Boisclair’s first goal, Gabriel Balasescu aded his second in as many nights to knot the score at three.
But Nicolas Marcotte redirected an Yvan Busque shot into the net past Lewiston netminder Brandon Verge with 3:36 to play to put the Sagueneens up for good.
“We only allowed 21 shots on goal tonight,” said Durocher. “In our league, if you only allow that many shots, especially on the road, you need to win that game.”
Verge made 17 saves on the 21 shots, with the final Chicoutimi tally coming on an empty-netter by Boisclair with one minute remaining in the game.
“They beat us with turnovers,” said Durocher. “We went zero-for-six on the power play, too. We can’t do that all season. On Monday, we’ll start working on those problems.”
Starting next week, the Maineiacs hope to get back their three players currently attending professional camps, including starting goaltender Matt Davis.
The Maineiacs’ next game is their home opener, Friday night at the Central Maine Civic Center at 7 p.m.
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