The Lewiston Maineiacs traveled a long way to play a home game Tuesday night, but the trip was well worth it on two fronts.

David Taylor and Eric Castonguay each had multi-point nights in front of their family and friends to lead the Maineiacs to a 4-3 win over the Shawinigan Cataractes at the Leonard Grondin Centre in Granby, Quebec.

“I really don’t care one bit what our exhibition season record is, to be honest,” said Maineiacs’ assistant coach Ed Harding. “We’re worried more about how the kids perform.”

Asked to qualify the team’s performance Tuesday, Harding responded simply, “O.K.”

“One thing I will say is that there were quite a few scuffles, and the players stepped in and supported each other without taking any stupid penalties.”

Many of the Maineiacs also had the opportunity to play a home game in front of familiar faces, a welcome twist for many of the skaters.

“We gave those kids a lot of ice time early,” said Harding. “That was part of our game plan.”

Jonathan Bernier, meanwhile, recorded the win in his second game of the preseason.

“What we’re trying to do with (Bernier) right now is to get him as ready as possible for his camp in Los Angeles,” said Harding. “We owe him that much.”

Bernier leaves for the Kings’ camp next week.

David Taylor, who grew up near Granby and had a gaggle of friends and family in the stands Tuesday, started things off well for the Maineiacs, potting his first goal of the preseason at 9:13 of the first with help from Faubert and Castonguay, himself a Granby native.

Castonguay added his own goal 2:46 later, flipping roles with Taylor. Marc-Andre Crete also added an assist on the play.

Shawinigan added a pair of goals to even the score until Lewiston defenseman Chad Denny fired a wrist shot past the Cats’ starting netminder, Ben MacFarlane, at 18:35 to end the first-period scoring.

Triston Manson added his second in as many games at the 10:37 mark, barely a minute after Patrick Bernier had tied it for the Cataractes. The teams finished the middle frame still separated by a goal, and neither team lit the lamp in the third.


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