By Justin Pelletier,Staff Writer

LEWISTON – St. Patrick’s Day was a little bit greener for Rob McCarthy.

The Lewiston Maineiacs’ 16-year-old rookie – and proud Irish-American – scored his first career QMJHL goal and added an assist, helping his team to a 6-1 win over the Saint John Sea Dogs at the Colisee on Friday.

“It’s awesome,” said McCarthy. “To do that on St. Patrick’s Day makes it a little nicer.”

The game itself meant little to the Maineiacs, who have clinched home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs, but it did allow many of the team’s rookies, like McCarthy, to see extended playing time.

“I wanted to play the kids,” said Maineiacs coach Clem Jodoin. “I didn’t care about the outcome of the game, I didn’t care about the score. They played a lot, and that is good for them.”

And, of course, the fact that many of the younger players contributed was a bonus.

“They played well,” said Jodoin. “

McCarthy got his points on the Maineiacs’ first two goals. A perfect, slow-motion feather pass to the middle of the slot set Jonathan Paquet up for his fourth goal of the season in the first period, and McCarthy notched his goal, the team’s second, on a rebound at 12:56 of the second.

“(The first one) I heard Paquet say my name, but I looked back and I didn’t see him,” said McCarthy. “I skated a bit more and I looked back and I saw him barely. I guess it was a little bit of a fluke.”

Travis Fullerton, getting what may be his last start of the season in goal for the Maineiacs, earned the win with 23 saves.

Lewiston completes the regular season Sunday in Saint John and starts the playoffs Friday at the Colisee.