Maineiacs lose third straight game

Published on: 24th October, 2009 by Nathan Fournier

The Lewiston Maineiacs dropped their third straight game to a divisional opponent on Friday night as 2,974 saw the Shawinigan Cataractes defeat the Maineiacs, 6-3, at the Center Bionest.

The Cataractes took advantage of an early powerplay when Charles-Olivier Roussel blasted one past Maineiacs’ goalie Jordan Kennedy at 4:17 of the first period.

The Maineiacs tied the game with 6:51 to play in the period as Lewiston’s first round pick in last year’s draft, Francis Beauvillier, found the back of the net with a shot between Francois Lacerte’s five-hole.

“The kids are really disciplined and working hard,” said Maineiacs head coach Don MacAdam about the three 16-year olds on the team. “They are following the game plan and because of that they are having success. They had a great weekend, not team results wise, but the kids played well.”

Less than two minutes later, Antoine Houde-Caron scored for his third goal of the season, giving the lead back to Shawinigan.

Beauvillier continued his solid play on the night, rushing up the ice, feed a pass to Billy Lacasse, who buried the puck with less than a second to go in the first period, tying the game 2-2.

“Beauvillier had a great effort (tonight) on the short-handed goal,” said MacAdam. “He used his speed to get up the ice quickly and Lacasse was able to jump on the loose puck.”

At 8:10 into the second period, the Cataractes regained the lead, 3-2, when Dave Labrecque fired a shot through a crowd, catching Kennedy by surprise.

Shawinigan took a two-goal lead midway into the third period with a controversial goal in the eyes of the Maineiacs.

Philippe Paradis appeared to have kicked the puck into the net and the ruling on the ice was called a no-goal, but after review by the replay officials, it was overturned leaving the Maineiacs red under the collar.

“We watched the tape after, and he clearly turned his feet to direct the puck in the net,” said MacAdam. “I have to double check the ruling on that.”

Shawinigan made it 5-2 when Pierrick Martel picked up a loose puck in Kennedy’s crease, beating the Lewiston netminder with 6:27 to play in the game.

With 2:46 left, Lewiston pulled to within two goals, 5-3, as forward Pierre-Oliver Morin tapped the puck into an empty net with Lacerte out of position.

Less than a minute later, Paradis scored his second goal of the period, sealing the win for Shawinigan.

Despite the loss, MacAdam was happy with the effort of his squad, picking out the positives.

“We did a lot (of) good things tonight then last night,” said MacAdam. “We still feel we are on the right track. We’ve got guys that we know that can contribute more.”

“We are doing the right things and the guys are working at it.”

Lewiston was 1-for-3 on the powerplay, while Cataractes were 2-for-5 on the man advantage.

Maineiacs’ goalie Jordan Kennedy made 37 saves in his first career start, while Francois Lacerte made 28 saves in the win. Gabriel Girard made three saves in a short relief for Lacerte, who needed medical assistance for a cut.

“(Kennedy) was fine, there were a couple saves he need to make at key times that didn’t happen,” MacAdam said of his young netminder. “He battled hard and there was a lot of traffic in front of his net. Our defense played better in front of him as the game went on.”

NOTES: Former Portland Pirate Maxime Legault was in the lineup for Shawinigan after being re-assigned by the team earlier in the day.

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