LEWISTON – Jonathan Bernier picked a good time to record his second shutout of the season, and Stefano Giliati’s first Quebec Major Junior Hockey League hat trick also came in a timely manner.
Both players led the Lewiston Maineiacs to a 3-0 win over the Drummondville Voltigeurs at the Colisee on Wednesday night, securing the Maineiacs home-ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
“We weren’t even looking at the Halifax-Moncton game,” said Giliati. “I think the win today gives us momentum, and I think we’ll have some good momentum for the playoffs if we come out strong the next two games.”
Bernier’s biggest feat – or foot, perhaps – came early in the third period. The Voltiguers, who ultimately went 0-for-8 on the power play, started the final frame with a 5-on-3 advantage. One shot in particular stretched the Lewiston netminder from left to right, and then back to the left. There, the puck tipped to his right again, and all the seemingly prone goaltender could do was flail his right pad back across the crease. The puck banked off his skate and into the corner.
“Bernier made a couple of saves at the right moments,” said Drummondville coach Dominic Ricard. “At the beginning of the third period, he made that important save, and the game stayed 2-0 and it was difficult to come back.”
The teams settled into playoff-like hockey over the final two frames — talking few risks and trying to capitalize on what opportunities they could. For Drummondville, a lack of prowess on what is usually a deadly power play proved to be the difference.
“We had no good power play, no good offensive execution,” said Ricard.
In the third, Drummondville had more chances with extra skaters, including a 6-on-4 in the final minute thanks to a Jonathan Paiement penalty and a pulled goaltender.
“They put two or three guys in front there, so that was hard to see the puck,” said Bernier.
Defensively, though, the Maineiacs held tough.
“They’re pretty fast,” said Maineiacs defenseman Chad Denny. “Their D’ come in a lot on the half-boards and we did a lot of video work where the forwards and the D’ had to communicate and switch a lot.”
Giliati’s two opening-period goals were workman-like.
His first of the night not only surprised many patrons at the Colisee who were still taking their seats, but also startled Drummondville netminder Loic Lacasse.
Giliati drove deep into the Voltigeurs’ zone on the forecheck, picked up a bobbled Stefan Chaput dump-in and circled the net. He then slid the puck between Lacasse’s pads from a sharp angle and found the net, giving Lewiston a lead just 1:04 into the game.
Giliati’s second of the period probably shouldn’t have surprised Lacasse as much, but it seemed like it did. On another feed from Chaput at the right circle, Giliati drove the net, keeping the puck on his stick with one hand while fighting off a stick check with the other, before he flipped a snap shot over Lacasse’s shoulder.
“The first one, that was one of my easier goals at the end,” said Giliati. “I was forechecking hard and got the puck. I thought he was cheating a bit off his post, so I thought I’d shoot. I think I’ve gone through that play (on the second goal) a few times this year, and it’s the first time I scored on it. I got it upstairs this time, caught him by surprise.”
Ricard yanked the Lacasser after the first period in favor of rookie Pierre-Alexandre Marion.
“We want energy and intensity from every player, by the goaltender too,” said Ricard. “Lacasse wasn’t sharp. He was deep in his net and he didn’t challenge the puck carriers.”
In the second, Marion saw just six shots in the middle frame, while Bernier stopped 11 offerings as the score remained 2-0.
Giliati added an empty-net goal with 15 seconds to play to seal the victory.
Lewiston will play its final home game of the regular season Friday night against Saint John, and will finish the regular season on the road Sunday against the Sea Dogs.
The team will host Games 1 and 2 of the playoffs on March 24-25.
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