The Maineiacs get a much-needed day off to prepare for Game 6 with Rouyn-Noranda.
By Justin Pelletier
Staff Writer

LEWISTON – Judging by the more than 100 fans gathered outside the Colisee on Saturday as the Maineiacs returned home from Game 5 of their first-round series against Rouyn-Noranda, playoff fever has caught on in Lewiston.

As the bus approached the Colisee, fans tailgating in the parking lot welcomed the team with signs and hockey paraphernalia waiting for autographs.

“It is good to see that they care,” Maineiacs coach Mario Durocher said. “That is important.”

When the bus first rounded the corner, defenseman Travis Mealy had to look twice.

“Wow,” he said. “That’s just cool.”

And while the players had a few moments to soak in the adoration as the bus pulled up to the back door of the rink, Durocher was quick to huddle the players in the locker room for a team meeting.

“This is good,” Durocher said, quick to bring everyone back to reality, “but all we did was win Game 5. There are still two more to go if we want to keep playing.”

After the meeting, the players scattered, some to their billet families and some to their own cars. All of them, though, were headed for some rest and relaxation after having traveled 1,320 miles in three days while playing more than 66 minutes of hockey in between.

“You could see by the end of the game (Friday),” Durocher said. “Both teams are getting tired, now. It is going to come down, I think, to the team that is in better shape. That is why we have worked them so hard from the beginning of the season.”

It doesn’t hurt the Maineiacs that the next game is here at the Colisee, either, although the last two here were forgettable games.

“We have to learn from our last two,” said Durocher, who at least in principle changed the team’s focus and approach before Friday’s Game 5.

“All year, being defensive worked,” Durocher said. “We still think we are fast enough to beat their defense, but we also have to play well defensively. I think we gave them too many chances in the first four games.”

Lewiston is not scheduled to practice before Sunday’s game, which will start at 4 p.m. at the Colisee.

“People sometimes forget that these are kids, and they are athletes,” Durocher said. “They need time to rest, too. We will have a team meeting and go over some things, but probably not skate.”

Two other series in the QMJHL stand at 3-2 as well, with Game 6 in those scheduled for Sunday. Chicoutimi has the edge on Val d’Or, while Shawinigan blew out Drummondville 10-1 on Friday to take the lead in that series.

Note: The Maineiacs reported Saturday that 2,136 tickets were sold in less than four hours for Sunday’s game. Seating capacity at the Colisee is 3,731.

jpelletier@sunjournal.com

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