The Maine Nordiques’ offense fired on all cylinders Friday night in Lewiston.

The Nordiques defeated the Philadelphia Rebels 7-2 at The Colisee in a North American Hockey League East Division contest.

The offensive outburst came four days after a 4-1 loss to the Northeast Generals, when the Generals scored four power-play goals in the first period.

Maine Nordiques coach Matt Pinchevsky called Monday’s result frustrating and confusing with the way the first 20 minutes started and the Generals’ Jake LaRusso couldn’t miss the net.

“I have been in hockey for a long time and that was one of the strangest starts I have ever seen,” Pinchevsky said. “If people want to go by the tale of the tape or analytics, even-strength, that was a 1-0 win for the Nordiques. Jake LaRusso couldn’t miss that (afternoon) and he did his damage in about a seven-minute span of time.”

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Friday, the Nordiques (19-15-2, 40 points) were led by captain Brendan Gibbons, who had two goals and two assists. Defenseman David Helledy notched a pair of goals.

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Ten players recorded at least one point in the victory.

“We can showcase that depth because they are all developing, and they are all improving,” Pinchevsky said. “They all play for one another. It’s not a ‘me’ team, it’s a ‘we’ team.”

Helledy first scored a power-play tally, giving the Nordiques a 1-0 lead midway through the opening frame. Forwards Henrik Hallberg and Filip Wiberg provided the assists.

Air Force commit Gibbons stretched Maine’s lead to 2-0 late in the first period, beating Rebels (17-19-2, 36 points) goalie Jakub Krbecek. Tony Achille set the goal up.

Aidan Coupe scored early in the second period, with Achille and Gibbons aiding with the assists. The goal ended Krbecek’s (12 saves) night in goal.

Nearly four minutes after Coupe’s goal, Gibbons notched his second goal by beating Rebels backup Jack Fialkoff (19 saves) at the 6:20 mark. Defensemen Sterling Wolters and Seth Murch recorded the assists.

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Helledy then notched his second goal in the first minute of the third period for a 5-0 lead. Kellen Murphy and Gibbons tallied the assists.

Evan Orloff scored on the man advantage nearly two minutes into the final period. Alexey Yarmulnik and Kim Hilmersson each had an assist.

Both Helledy’s and Orloff’s tallies were on the power play. The Nordiques were 3 for 5 for the game and the Rebels were 1 for 4.

Helledy was added to the power play this week.

“David creates a lot of offense for others,” Pinchevsky said. “He creates a lot of transition for us, and he has some good get-up-and-go with elite feet. He has good vision and a good stick. …We were able to shuffle things around on one of our power-play units that allowed David to help that unit cash in. We were happy with the improvements since Monday.”

Jonny Meiers also potted a goal, extending the Nordiques’ lead to 7-0.

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Philadelphia’s Dominic Foglia broke Nordiques goalie Kael DePape’s shutout bid midway through the third period. Brock Jones then added the Rebels’ second goal 11:35 into the third, cutting the deficit to 7-2.

DePape made 25 saves.

The win keeps the Nordiques in the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division, two points ahead of the Johnstown Tomahawks (18-17-2, 38 points), and the Rebels are four points back.

The Nordiques and Rebels are back in action Saturday night at The Colisee at 7 p.m.

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