LEWISTON – There were times when Chris Tutalo wasn’t sure where he would play or whether he would even see action at all.

“It’s tough to get things going,” said the Lewiston Maineiacs winger from Roscoe, N.Y. “It’s real tough to concentrate on your game when your wondering what line you’re going to be playing on or whether or not you’re going to be in the stands.”

Lately, Tutalo hasn’t had a problem. During the Maineiacs’ recent six-game road trip, Tutalo was promoted to the team’s third line. He’s responded with more goals than he had all of last year with the Maineiacs.

“I’ve settled in to things nicely,” he said. “So I can concentrate on my play on the ice and not whether I’m going to be playing. My confidence is building up.”

Tutalo has five goals and four assists in 18 games with Lewiston. He had three goals and three assists during the road trip. He added another tally Tuesday night, tying the game 1-1 in the opening period.

“I think it’s really the guys I’m playing with right now,” said Tutalo. “Our line is unbelievable with offensive ability. Our line chemistry has been real good. We find each other real well on the ice. Our vision in the offensive zone has allowed us to find each other real fast and move the puck quickly.”

Tutalo joined Simon Courcelles and rookie David Perron, who leads the Maineiacs in scoring. That trio has given the Maineiacs an offensive lift. Tutalo says he’s tried to focus on keeping his game simple and doing the little things properly. His play has improved as a result.

“His game definitely elevated on the road trip,” said Lewiston assistant coach Jeff Guay. “He just needed to battle and compete more. He’s not a big guy. He’s got to finish his checks and keep his feet moving. He did that when we were on the road, and he’s been working pretty good with Courcelles and Perron.”

Guay had gone to New York to scout Tutalo. He was seen as a guy who could chip in and bring his scoring touch to the power play. He had three goals and seven assists in 34 games last season. Early this year, he saw most time on the fourth line or was a healthy scratch.

Guay said that Tutalo earned a chance as his play improved and others declined.

“When you get moved up in the lineup, it forces you to bring your level or play up to the guys around you,” said Tutalo. “I definitely brought my level of play up to match them, and I’ve been real successful.”

After a solid defensive effort and goaltending by Jonathan Bernier in the opening period, Acadie-Bathurst spoiled that effort with a power-play goal with 3:01 left. Tutalo answered right back with a tally just 33 seconds later.

“(Perron and Courcelles) were just doing what we do, keep the puck down low,” said Tutalo. “Courcelles threw it to the net, and the rebound kicked out, and it landed on my stick. The goalie was down and out, and Perron was standing in front of him for the screen. All I had to do was put it in the net.”

It was a key tying goal for Lewiston, which built a 3-1 lead in the second period and won in overtime. It is that kind of contribution the Maineiacs hope to see from Tutalo on a regular basis.

“If we can get a couple bangs from him and a goal and an assist here and there, it’s definitely going to help us,” said Guay.