MAINEiacs Start Trip with 3-1 Win in Halifax
Etienne Brodeur will have lasting memories of the Halifax Metro Centre when he looks back at his QMJHL career. Brodeur scored his first goal in that building back in 2008, and then proceeded to break Mathieu Aubin’s franchise record with his 48th goal of the season in that exact same place. Brodeur’s tally was one of three Lewiston goals on Thursday night, as the MAINEiacs defeated the Halifax Mooseheads in front of 4,826 fans.
After a scoreless first period, the MAINEiacs got on the board early in the second. Konrad Abeltshauser turned the puck over to Olivier Dame-Malka. Dame-Malka hesitated for a moment, before finding Etienne Brodeur joining the play. Brodeur got a quick shot off, finding the back of the net for his 48th goal of the season, which broke Mathieu Aubin’s previous record (47) for goals scored in a single season.
Later in the middle frame, Lewiston added a tally with the man advantage. Bryce Milson kept the play alive along the left wing boards, swinging the puck in behind the net for Stefan Fournier. Fournier attempted a wraparound that was thwarted, but immediately pounced on the rebound, splitting Frederic Piche’s legs.
In the third period, the MAINEiacs added to their lead. Jonathan Parisien started the play by backhanding the puck up the boards to Kirill Kabanov. Kabanov deflected a quick pass into center ice, springing Michael Chaput into the offensive zone. Piche made the save on Chaput’s initial shot, but the newest member of the Columbus Blue Jackets’ organization was there to score on his rebound.
The Mooseheads broke the shutout bid with 9:48 remaining, when Francis Turbide lifted a rebound opportunity into the top part of the cage. However, that was the only celebrating that Halifax could do, as Lewiston picked up the 3-1 win.
Nicholas Champion earned his 26th win of the season, as well as first star honors, stopping 28 of the 29 shots he faced for the MAINEiacs. Frederic Piche suffered the loss for the Mooseheads, despite making 27 saves on 30 shots.
The MAINEiacs will continue their road trip on Friday night at 6:00, when they visit the PEI Rocket. Lewiston’s next home game takes place on March 11th at 7:30, when they welcome the Gatineau Olympiques to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.
