It was only a matter of time before the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies’ offensive machine found the proper gear alignment to maximize its full potential.

The Lewiston Maineiacs bore the brunt of that discovery Friday. With their team completely intact for just the second time all season, the Huskies poured on the offense, outgunning the Maineiacs 10-3 in front of 2,181 at the Dave Keon Arena in the teams’ second meeting in three days.

“You could tell they’re an older team, they were bigger than us and outworked us tonight,” Lewiston coach J.F. Houle said. “They have some great players and they earned it tonight.” 

The top line for Rimouski one year ago on that team’s run to the Memorial Cup tourney, consisting of Patrice Cormier, Jordan Caron and Philippe Cornet, was reunited in Rouyn-Noranda during the mid-season trade period. Those three players alone accounted for 14 points Friday.

“They were tough to stop,” Houle said.

The Maineiacs stood toe to toe with the powerful Huskies through the initial 20 minutes. Rookie goalie Dwayne Rodrigue kept the damage to a minimum and the Maineiacs matched Rouyn-Noranda’s two goals with a pair of their own.

“He made some good breakaway saves early, and we played well for a period and a half,” Houle said. 

In the second, though, the Huskies struck quickly. Jeff Desjardins broke the deadlock with his 18th of the season at 5:30, and Bruins’ prospect Jordan Caron netted his 10th 19 seconds later to put the home team on top by a pair.

Matthew Bissonette replied for the Maineiacs in even quicker fashion, potting his fifth of the year and first for Lewiston just five seconds after Caron’s strike to again pull Lewiston to within a goal. But Philippe Cornet tacked on another less than two minutes later to reestablish his team’s two-goal advantage. Cornet and Caron each added another, Gabriel O’Connor tacked on his seventh of the season and Desjardins notched his second of the game to put the game well out of reach.

“(Rodrigue) played well, then he let in two quick ones and I think his confidence fell after that,” Houle said.

There is no rest for the weary, either. Lewiston will play two more games this weekend, both in Val d’Or against the Foreurs. Saturday’s contest is slated to begin at 7 p.m., with Sunday’s scheduled for 4 p.m.

“”It’s tough to win on the road in this league,” Houle said. “It’s going to be hard with three games like this, but the boys already look like they’re ready to play again. That’s a good sign.”