LEWISTON – The last time Lewiston saw Rouyn-Noranda, the Huskies had lost six of seven to start the season.

Since battling the Maineiacs to a 2-2 tie in Rouyn-Noranda on Oct. 8, the Huskies haven’t lost, righting a ship that last year eliminated the Maineiacs in seven games in the first round of the playoffs.

“Every team in this league can be dangerous,” said Maineiacs coach Clem Jodoin. “They are a good hockey team and I think their record is lower than their ability. We are going to have to show up to play hard. There are no easy games, even at home.”

Lewiston plays the final game of a seven-game home stand tonight at the Colisee. The Maineiacs won their first six home games and were riding a six-game unbeaten streak overall on Saturday before falling to Rimouski 2-0, and while Rouyn-Noranda does not have Sidney Crosby nor the offensive firepower to match the Oceanic, it does have defense.

Despite getting outshot and outscored by a wide margin to start the season, the Huskies’ defense has clawed its way back to respectability. The worst plus-minus ratio among the team’s defensemen belongs to veteran Olivier Magnan at a minus-5, but three of the team’s regular six defenders are at or above zero.

In net, the Huskies present two less-than-stellar goaltenders by the numbers, but veteran Philippe Roberge has been between the pipes – and defeated – the Maineiacs before.

Combined, Roberge and Jean-Philippe Levasseur have a 3.95 goals-against-average and a .881 save percentage.

For Lewiston, defense – and not just by the blueliners – will be one of the keys to winning on Wednesday.

“We need to play better without the puck, on defense, in all three zones,” said Jodoin.

Lewiston will likely be skating without leading scoring forward Alex Bourret, who received an intent-to-injure penalty on Saturday which carries with it an automatic game suspension. The team has sent material to the league for further review, but has yet to hear back.

Bourret currently is tied with Jonathan Paiement at 23 points, three ahead of Alexandre Picard (10 goals, 20 points) and Mathieu Aubin (13 assists, 20 points).

In net, Jaroslav Halak continues to shine for Lewiston, posting a 2.40 GAA and a .923 save percentage. Jonathan Bernier has been equally as impressive as a 16-year-old rookie, with a 3.54 GAA and a .880 percentage.

Team Notes: Mathieu Aubin beat out two other teammates (Alexandre Picard and Alex Bourret) to earn the league’s Offensive Player of the Week award this week, posting four goals and four assists in three games. Picard (seven points) and Bourret (eight assists) were runners-up, along with Gatineau’s David Krejci…Picard, Lewiston Maineiacs when the QMJHL All-Stars take on a team of Russian All-Stars for two exhibition games in late November….Lewiston will play seven of its next eight games on the road, this time against several divisional opponents.