Maineiacs win again

The Lewiston MAINEiacs couldn't wait to get onto the ice following their brief holiday break, and it showed on Tuesday night. Seven different players had multiple point games, including Francis Beauvillier, who scored a pair of goals, as Lewiston smoked the Victoriaville Tigres 7-1 in front of 2,831 fans at Colisee Desjardins.

After eight days off, the MAINEiacs took the ice with fresh legs in the first period, and it showed. Lewiston got out to a 2-0 lead on a pair of power play goals. At the 3:48 mark, Pierre-Olivier Morin picked up a loose puck in the slot, and slipped it through Antonio Mastropietro's legs. Four minutes later, Matt Bissonnette faked a wrist shot, then slid a pass across to Francis Beauvillier, who scored on a wrist shot in the right circle.

The MAINEiacs continued their offensive attack in the second period, lighting the lamp three more times. Etienne Brodeur was the first player to find the back of the cage in the middle frame, as he picked up the rebound of his own shot, and lifted the puck upstairs for his 30th of the season. 1:41 later, Francis Beauvillier netted his second goal of the night, potting a loose puck from the top of the crease. Cameron Critchlow picked up one assist on the goal, while Bryce Milson picked up the other in his MAINEiacs debut. Beauvillier's tally chased Antonio Mastropietro from the crease, as David Honzik took over from there. The relief goaltender played a solid second period, but was beaten once, as Michael Chaput scored Lewiston's third power play goal of the night off of a rebound.

Lewiston added to the lead in the third, scoring a pair of goals that were 1:13 apart. Olivier Dame-Malka scored the MAINEiacs' sixth goal of the night, finishing a cross-ice pass from Pierre-Olivier Morin. On the second goal, Stefan Fournier picked the top corner over Honzik's glove. Phillip Danault ended the shutout bid with 3:32 to go on a power play goal, but the damage was done, as the visitors cranked out the 7-1 victory.

Nicholas Champion earned the win for the MAINEiacs, as he stopped 22 of the 23 shots he faced. Antonio Mastropietro was the losing goaltender, as he allowed four goals on 15 shots before being pulled in the second. David Honzik took over in relief, and made 17 saves on 20 shots for Victoriaville.

The MAINEiacs will return home on Thursday, as Lewiston and Victoriaville will conclude their home-and-home series at 7:00. That will be the first of five straight home games for the MAINEiacs, who are also home on January 4th, 7th, 8th, and 13th.

--Maineiacs Communications--