Alex Bourret has been one of the best players on the ice for the Maineiacs this season, and one of the top scoring forwards in the league.

On Friday and Sunday, he will be reduced to spectator status as he serves a suspension for an illegal hit from behind.

In a statement from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s disciplinarian, Maurice Filion, the league announced on Monday that Bourret would be suspended for two games starting immediately for hit against Frederik Cabana in the team’s season-opening tie against the Halifax Mooseheads.

Filion announced his decision after reading the referee’s game report and watching the game’s videotape.

Bourret will be available to come back into action on Monday Oct. 11, when the Maineiacs face the Olympiques in Gatineau.

In a twist of irony, the league is currently reviewing video of a knee-to-knee hit Cabana laid on Rimouski forward Sidney Crosby this past weekend that resulted in Crosby missing time, and Cabana may himself be suspended in the coming week.

Bourret currently leads the Maineiacs with six goals and four assists for 10 points. Bourret also leads the team in penalty minutes with 22.

Shutout facts

Jaroslav Halak’s shutout in his QMJHL debut was something special, not only for Halak himself but throughout the league.

Halak’s 3-0 blanking of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan was the first shutout by any goaltender in the league so far this season, and through Sunday night’s games, only two other goaltenders (Corey Crawford of Moncton and Jeremy Duchesne of Victoriaville) had posted a shutout. Crawford’s came on Sunday in a 1-0 win over Cape Breton, while Duchesne accomplished the feat on Saturday, also against Acadie-Bathurst.

Halak’s shutout was also the first shutout by a Maineiacs’ goaltender since Matt Davis shut Victoriaville down 4-0 on March 14, 2004, and his 2.00 goals-against average through two games is fifth-best in the league, while his .932 save percentage also ranks fifth.