MAINEiacs pull out 3-1 MasterCard Memorial Cup win
VANCOUVER, Saturday, May 19, 2007 The Lewiston MAINEiacs defeated the Medicine Hat Tigers 3-1 in the second game of the 2007 MasterCard Memorial Cup Tournament in front of 12,720 fans assembled at Pacific Coliseum.
Both teams were tentative in the opening stages of the first period, trying to get a feel for their opponent. The Tigers profited from back to back powerplay opportunities to go up 1-0 as forward Darren Helm scored Medicine Hat’s first goal of the tournament.
The MAINEiacs registered their first marker in the opening minutes of the second period. Forward Éric Castonguay scored the equalizer on the powerplay and Sébastien Piché put Lewiston up by one with a goal at 12:04.
Then, Stefan Chaput doubled Lewiston’s lead at 2:17 of the third period following a beautiful pass by Stefano Giliati. Goaltender Jonathan Bernier was also credited with an assist.
Bernier showed why he was chosen early in the first round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings as he made several spectacular saves while stopping 30 shots to earn first star honours. "The guys made it easy for me," said the MAINEiacs’ backstop. "There were virtually no second-chance shots."
Lewiston head coach Clément Jodoin was visibly pleased with his team’s effort. "I liked what I saw, but the most important game becomes our next game."
Captain Marc-André Cliche left the game in the second period after being on the receiving end of crushing bodycheck. He did not return and his status remains uncertain for tomorrow’s game.
On Sunday, the MAINEiacs will face the Giants at 1:30 PT / 4:30 ET on Rogers Sportsnet, RDS and INSINC.
