LEWISTON – Two defensemen remained on the shelf over the weekend, sidelined by concussions suffered on the Western Quebec swing a week ago.

Bobby Gates and Francis Trudel were hoping to play over the weekend when the team left Thursday afternoon, but neither got an opportunity to skate.

“They are still hurting and we decided it would be better for them not to play,” said coach Mario Durocher.

Maybe the biggest injury news is Matt Davis. The starting goaltender played in the first game and finished the loss to Quebec, but after the game, he complained of pain in his groin. Brandon Verge got the start on Saturday and again on Sunday, posting a 1-1 record and a shutout in Sunday’s game.

Maxime Joyal has been recalled to be Verge’s backup until Davis is ready to play.

“Davis sat on the bench as the backup on Saturday and we called Joyal in for Sunday,” said Durocher. “He’ll stay with us for practice and games until Davis is ready to go again.”

Moose hunting is on

While deer hunting season doesn’t start for another two weeks, officials in the Lewiston Maineiacs’ front office hope to capitalize on the cool fall weather with a special promotion at Friday night’s home game.

Over the weekend, the Maineiacs announced that Friday’s game against the Halifax Mooseheads, the first home game in nearly three weeks, will also be the opening of “Moose Season.”

Any fan who attends Friday night’s game wearing hunter, or “blaze” orange, or any article of orange clothing, will receive a free bag of popcorn and a chance to win an autographed team jersey. In each bag of popcorn there will be a ticket for a chance to win the jersey

Friday’s game will mark the final October home game for Lewiston, with a heavy home schedule looming in November.

Around the league

The QMJHL announced its offensive and defensive players of the week Monday.

On offense, Michael Lambert of the PEI Rocket garnered the award, scoring four goals and adding five assists in just three games. Lambert is the property of the Montreal Canadiens.

On defense, Josh Tordjman of the Victoriaville Tigres won the accolades, posting a 2-1-0 record in three starts in net, with a 2.00 goals-against average, a .937 save percentage and one shutout.

The two wins snapped an eight-game winless streak for the Tigres and gave them four wins on the year.

The toast of the league continues to be in the west, as the Gatineau Olympiques are the No. 1 ranked team in all of the Canadian Hockey League. The weekly top-10 poll is released every Wednesday, and it doesn’t appear likely that Gatineau’s standing will change. At 14-2-2, the Olympiques are far and away the best team in the QMJHL. Also appearing in the top 10 last week were Rouyn-Noranda (3rd), Cape Breton (6th) and Val d’Or (9th).

Local update

Jamie Gilbert, a former St. Dom’s goaltender and an invitee to Maineiacs’ camp, continues to play well for the Cornwall Colts of the CJHL. In seven games, Gilbert has allowed 16 goals on 209 shots, good for a 2.43 gaa, second best in the league.

Five of those goals came in one game against Nepean last Thursday when Gilbert faced 40 shots in a 5-4 loss. Overall, the Colts are 5-2-1-1, and in second place in the league.

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