LEWISTON – Less than a month after returning from a grueling six-game road trip to open the season, the Lewiston Maineiacs are already getting prepared for another.

First, though, the Maineiacs have to deal with a Victoriaville Tigres team that has been playing well against some stiff competition.

“They have played well, beating Gatineau, losing just 3-2 to Quebec and beating Chicoutimi on the road,” said Maineiacs’ coach Clem Jodoin. “This is a tough stretch of games for us. I told the boys this morning, I said we are done practicing now. It’s game, rest, game, rest for the next three weeks.”

The Tigres dispatched Gatineau, which has the best winning percentage in the league, 6-3 last Wednesday, and took care of Chicoutimi on Sunday after taking Quebec down to the wire Saturday.

Jodoin preferred to focus his attention toward his own team, though.

“For us, it’s about details now,” Jodoin said after a particularly rigorous practice Tuesday. “Details, the details of the game, this is where we can still do better.”

Jodoin took his team through nearly an hour of video Tuesday, pointing out where the players could improve.

The Maineiacs’ power play came alive Sunday and has done better – 6-for-22 – in the last three games. Still, Jodoin sees more potential.

“We were having the chances and not scoring,” said Jodoin. “I would have been worried if we were not getting chances, but the chances were there. Now, we are starting to finish them, but we can still be better.”

Lewiston is currently tied with Prince Edward Island for the best winning percentage in the Eastern Division at .667 through 12 games.

Victoriaville skates into tonight’s game having lost four of its last six, though both of those wins came in the Tigres’ last three games.

Tigres’ defenseman Maxim Noreau was recently named the league’s defensive player of the week with two goals, three assists and a plus-5 in three games.

Maineiacs place five on all-star roster

Four Maineiacs and their coach were honored Tuesday, selected to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League roster for the upcoming ADT Canada-Russia Challenge.

Jodoin will be the team’s head coach for the second consecutive year, and will bring with him captain Marc-Andre Cliche, goaltender Jonathan Bernier and defensemen Chad Denny and Kevin Marshall.

“This event represents a great opportunity for the league to showcase its talent.” said Jodoin, who will also be an assistant coach with the Canadian National Junior Team this winter in Sweden.

“Also, it’s an opportunity for me to work closely with Hockey Canada towards the selection process of the next national junior team.”

The two games, in Rouyn-Noranda and Val d’Or, will be played Nov. 20 and 21.

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