MAINEiacs take 3 - 1 series lead

Etienne Brodeur netted two overtime winners during the regular season, but it was his third overtime winner that will have Lewiston fans buzzing. Brodeur broke a 3-3 tie at the 8:49 mark of overtime, sending the MAINEiacs to an overtime victory in game four of their series against the Moncton Wildcats in front of 3,810 fans at Moncton Coliseum.

The MAINEiacs started the scoring less than four minutes into the opening period. Kirill Kabanov dodged a hit in center ice, and continued down the right side into the offensive zone. After reaching the circle, Kabanov dropped a pass back to Pierre-Olivier Morin, who ripped in a wrist shot, beating Brandon Thibeau on the stick side. Later in the period, Lewiston added to the lead. Once again, Kabanov was involved, as he darted down the right side of the ice. After curling around the back of the cage, the former Wildcat went to a wraparound, sneaking the puck just inside of Thibeau's stick side post.

The Wildcats recorded up the lone goal in the second period, as Allain Saulnier picked up the loose puck off of a rebound in the left circle, beating Nicholas Champion over the blocker.

Early in the third period, Moncton evened the score at two, as Devon MacAusland deflected in Daniel Milan's shot from the right point. Lewiston responded, retaking the lead midway through the frame. Etienne Brodeur picked up the puck on the right side, skated to the middle of the ice, and scored blocker side on a wrist shot. However, the Wildcats answered, tying the score with 3:47 left, while playing with a two-man advantage. Alex Saulnier slid the puck through Champion's legs from the right circle, ultimately forcing overtime.

In the extra session, the MAINEiacs came on top, as a familiar face to the scoresheet got the job done. Etienne Brodeur cruised down the right side of the ice, and picked the top corner over Thibeau's glove, giving Lewiston a 4-3 victory in the game, as well as a 3-1 edge in the series.

Nicholas Champion earned the win, making 39 saves on 42 shots for the MAINEiacs. Brandon Thibeau took the loss, stopping 30 of the 34 shots he faced for Moncton.

The MAINEiacs and Wildcats will now head back to Lewiston for game five of their best-of-seven series, which takes place at 7:00 on Friday night.

-Lewiston MAINEiacs-