LEWISTON – These are not the same Huskies. The players know it, the coaches know it and this afternoon, the fans at the Colisee will get to see the revamped and streaking Rouyn-Noranda in its only appearance in Lewiston this season.
“This team, from what I’m hearing, is different than the last two years,” said Maineiacs’ assistant coach Ed Harding. “They’re not quite as physical, and they’re very similar to us. They have a lot of speed. From a spectator’s point of view, it could be a very entertaining hockey game.”
Travis Mealy, who one year ago was skating for the Maineiacs, plays for the Huskies. He was part of the deal that helped Lewiston acquire 17-year-old blueliner Sebastian Piche.
Two years ago, the Maineiacs came back from a 3-1 deficit to tie a playoff series against Rouyn-Noranda 3-3 before falling in Game 7 on the road, 12 hours away. Last year, the teams met three times. Twice, the games finished in ties, and Lewiston won the third game, 6-4.
Lewiston assistant captain Mathieu Aubin agreed with Harding’s assessment of the Huskies’ speed.
“On paper, they were not that great, but they are working hard,” said Aubin. “It’s the same team as us. They work hard, and they get a lot of victories, so we need to focus. It will be a tougher game than (Friday’s) game, but we need the two points, especially before Christmas. After Christmas, the games get even tougher.”
I’d love to stay’
After the Maineiacs’ game tonight, the league’s trade period will officially open and run until Jan. 8. In that time, it appears likely that the Maineiacs will make a move or two.
The players, meanwhile, especially those subjected to trade rumors in recent days, have not been affected as much as people might think. Lewiston captain Brandon Roach, himself the subject of rumors as a 20-year-old stay-at-home defenseman, admitted paying at least a little bit of attention, though.
“It’s just in the back of our minds,” said Roach, “but we just have to take it day by day and just do what we can do now, on the ice. I’m playing here right now, and I don’t know where I’ll end up after Christmas, but you have to take it all in stride.”
As to whether he expected to be back after the holiday break, Roach was uncertain, saying he “knows of a few teams interested” right now. He did, however, affirm his desire to remain in Lewiston.
“I’d love to stay here, finish out my career with the team,” said Roach. “I’ve been with this franchise since I started. It’s been a great team here, and it’d be hard to leave here. I’ve made a lot of friends here.”
“It doesn’t really affect me,” agreed Aubin. “I think I do a good job here, and the Maineiacs, they want to keep me in the organization. I try to not think about that and play my game here, and I will see what will happen.”
Lineup shuffle?
The Maineiacs’ roster had, for the most part, been stagnant in recent weeks. Because of an injury to forward Derek Bailey, the same players have suited up in almost every game. That may change today.
Bailey might return from his injury, and in fact nearly skated with the team Friday against P.E.I. Also, new addition Alex Hager, a player the team acquired last week, might see his first ice time today, meaning two players who have become regulars recently might be watching from the stands.
“I’d like to put (Hager) in,” said Harding, “but he came in not in great shape. He’s getting there and learning the system a little bit. It could be a possibility. I’m hoping we get Derek Bailey back by Sunday, too.”
The power returns
After a solid beginning to the season on the power play, the Maineiacs had slipped recently in their efficiency, falling to 19.3 percent overall, ninth in the league. At home, they had been the worst team in the league, clicking at just 15 percent.
Friday, the team unloaded against the P.E.I. Rocket, scoring five times on eight chances with an extra skater, better than 60 percent.
“When our power play is working, we can score a lot of goals,” said Aubin. “When we make a lot of good passes and see each other on the ice, the power play is very good.”
After the outburst, the Maineiacs’ power play gained 1.2 points overall to 20.5 percent efficiency, lifting the team into seventh overall in the league. At home, the team’s average rose to 17.6 percent, and the Maineiacs left the cellar and are now 13th of 18 teams at home on the power play.
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