Cape Breton's Andrew Hayes stops 49 shots, but MAINEiacs pull out 2 - 1 OT Win

Cape Breton's Andrew Hayes (Photo Wheat Kings.com)

If it weren't for the goaltending of Cape Breton's Andrew Hayes, Tuesday night's game could have had a significantly different outcome. The Screaming Eagles' backstop made 49 saves, forcing the contest into overtime. However, the Lewiston MAINEiacs ended up having the final say, as former Screaming Eagle Zach Evans-Renaud broke a 1-1 tie at the 4:15 mark, giving Lewiston a win in front of 2,835 fans at Centre 200. The MAINEiacs allowed a franchise record-low 11 shots on goal against in the victory.

The MAINEiacs had control for most of the first period, recording each of the first 13 shots on goal, en route to an 18-3 advantage after 20 minutes of play. Lewiston scored the first goal during the opening stanza, as Antoine Houde-Caron picked up a loose puck, drove down the left side, and let a wrist shot go into the top-left corner of the net. However, Cape Breton did pick up one goal on their three shots, as Nick Parker caught Andrey Makarov off guard with a slap shot from the right circle.

Lewiston also dominated the second period, outshooting the Screaming Eagles 16-2, for a two-period total of 34-5. However, neither team lit the lamp, as the score remained tied at one.

The score remained tied through the third, and eventually until the 4:15 mark of overtime. Jess Tanguy spotted Zach Evans-Renaud cutting toward the left side of the net. Evans-Renaud was unable to get a clean shot off right away, but spun around, and slipped a backhander past Andrew Hayes' left pad.

Andrey Makarov picked up his second win as a MAINEiac, stopping ten of the eleven shots he faced. Andrew Hayes was brilliant for Cape Breton, but came out on the losing end, despite making 49 saves on 51 shots.

The MAINEiacs will continue their three-game road trip in Moncton on Thursday night at 6:00, before finishing it in Saint John on Friday at 6:30. Lewiston's next home game takes place on Sunday at 4:00, when they host the Montreal Junior.

- LEWISTON MAINEiacs -