Sure the Lewiston Maineiacs were able to call on a few reserves Sunday night against Moncton.
But even the extra manpower only produced a lineup of 16 skaters against one of the top teams in the QMJHL.
A sluggish first two periods left the Maineiacs in a deep hole that they could not climb and the Moncton Wildcats rolled to a 7-1 win in the teams’ final preseason game of the year.
“We didn’t play smart at all in the first two periods,” said Maineiacs assistant coach Ed Harding. “It was wide-open hockey. We turned to puck over in the center zone a lot.”
After losing the Acadie-Bathurst 4-0 on Saturday with just 14 skaters, the Maineiacs invited Hugo Chevanelle, Scott Corrigan and Jessy Proulx back to the team.
Jakub Bundil had to remain in the United States due to visa problems, so the net gain was only two skaters.
Travis Fullerton started the game between the pipes for Lewiston. He survived the early barrage and finished with 26 saves.
“He saw a lot of shots early on,” said Harding. “I think he handled everything really well.”
After the Wildcats took a 6-0 lead after two periods, Harding challenged the team in the locker room.
“I told them to play like it was 0-0 again,” said Harding. “I wanted to get them to go out and win the third period.”
Eric Castonguay scored the Maineiacs’ lone goal at 10:28 of the third period on a pass from Stefan Chaput.
Moncton did score a seventh goal after what Harding called a “poor penalty” five minutes later.
“We’re glad to get the preseason over with now,” said Harding. “Now we get to start working with the guys that will be sticking around, getting some systems in place.”
Lewiston has two weeks until it opens the season against the St. John’s Fog Devils in Newfoundland on Sept. 23. The rest of the league starts regular season action this weekend.
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