ROUYN-NORANDA, Quebec – Six players from the Lewiston Maineiacs skated Wednesday morning at Dave Keon Arena. The coaching staff decided it would be better for the rest of the team to relax and be rested for Wednesday night’s Game 4.
David Taylor, Tom Michalik, Michael Ward, Patrick Cusack, Alex Beaton and Peter Delmas suited up and skated, though. Taylor, who saw limited action in Game 3, and Michalik, who saw plenty of action, were the only two on the ice who played in Game 3.
Closer to the end of their half-hour session, Ward, Cusack and Taylor left the ice, leaving the three players scratched from Wednesday night’s game on the ice.
‘For the fans’
Rouyn-Noranda coach Andre Tourigny didn’t want to admit defeat Wednesday morning after a team meeting.
He came close, though, saying that his team should take into consideration the support the local fan base has shown throughout the season.
“We want to win at least one game for our fans,” Tourigny said.
“It’s very important for us. They were there all season long, they showed up and have been behind our players.”
Asked what it would take for the Huskies to come back in the series, given that Lewiston hasn’t lost four games in a row all season, Tourigny shrugged his shoulders.
“A miracle, maybe?” Tourigny said.
Feeling better
Both players battling injuries felt much better Wednesday.
Chris Tutalo had his arm out of a sling and was able to put his right hand into his pants pocket during the morning skate, showing increased mobility of his injured arm.
Danick Paquette, meanwhile, was still walking gingerly and a bit bowlegged Wednesday morning, but at least he was walking.
The rookie forward fell awkwardly Tuesday and needed medical attention. He returned to the team’s hotel later and could barely walk.
After a night of sleep, Paquette was unable to skate Wednesday, but appeared to be walking better, though stairs still appeared to give him trouble.
Filling in
Instead of dressing prospect Alex Beaton in what was expected to be a physical Game 4, the Maineiacs’ coaching staff instead used seven defenseman, and moved Marc-Andre Crete in a familiar utility role as the team’s 12th forward.
Crete had dressed as a forward before, but not in this year’s playoffs.
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