The Maine Nordiques lit the goal light early and often Tuesday night in an NAHL East Division contest against the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks at The Colisee in Lewiston.
Maine scored three times in the first period in an 8-1 victory over the Hat Tricks (2-20-2, 6 points). The Nordiques (10-8-0, 20 points) are now 8-2 in the past 10 games after starting the year 2-6-0.
“We trusted in the process with each other and we are working hard at our craft and game,” Maine Nordiques coach Matt Pinchevsky said. “We found constancy in our gameplay, too. There has to be a bye for one team (with seven teams in the East Division) each weekend but we got through (our byes) and we finally got in a rhythm.”
The Nordiques currently sit in the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division, one point back of the New Jersey Titans for third.
Danbury has lost 10 games in a row, with its last win coming against the Nordiques on Oct. 21.
Air Force commit Brendan Gibbons notched a goal and three assists, while Filip Wiberg and Nicholas Bernardo each tallied a goal and two assists.
Eleven players recorded at least one point in the win.
“The consistency of having depth scoring, the consistency of guys playing for one another, making sure they are hitting details, holding each other accountable for one another is exactly what we want,” Pinchevsky said.
The Nordiques’ first goal came on the power play when Gibbons found the back of the net for his sixth goal of the year. Filip Wiberg and Jonny Meiers provided the assists.
The man-advantage was a result of the Hat Tricks having too many men on the ice.
Kellen Murphy scored midway through the first period for his eighth goal of the season. Defenseman Brendan Kimball and Gibbons delivered the helpers.
Meier’s goal stretched Maine’s lead to 3-0 in the final minute of the opening period. Wiberg and Henrik Hallberg each had a hand in the tally.
“Johnny Meiers stood out tonight,” Pinchevsky said. “The whole team played well for that dominating win, but Johnny showcased his skill and work ethic. … I think Johnny Meiers answered the call. ”
Hallberg scored a power-play goal five minutes into the middle frame, beating Danbury goalie and UMaine commit Patrik Berzins (21 saves).
Pinchevsky said Hallberg has been rounding out his game in a lot of different situations lately.
Laurent Trepanier built a 5-0 lead for the Nordiques later in the second period.
Ryan Johnson broke Kael DePape’s shutout bid in the first minute of the third period to get Danbury on the board.
DePape stopped 18 shots for the win.
Tony Achille scored a shorthanded goal for the Nordiques near the midway point of the third period. Wiberg scored the Nordiques’ third power-play goal of the evening for a 7-1 lead.
Pinchevsky said Wiberg was the Nordiques best 200-foot player Tuesday.
Maine went 3-for-4 on the power play and Danbury went 0-for-4.
Bernardo scored with about a minute remaining in the game for an 8-1 lead.
Matthew O’Donnell made four saves after coming on in relief of Berzins to start the third period.
The Nordiques go for the sweep Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
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