Maine Hockey Journal

Maineiacs heading in the right direction with Shawinigan on tap

The Lewiston Maineiacs are streaking upward.

The Maineiacs have won three straight games, and have won five out of their last six games, heading into Wednesday’s game against the Shawinigan Cataractes at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.

In their last ten games, they’re one game above .500 with a 6-3-1 record

“I am anxious to play against them,” said Maineiacs assistant captain Antoine Houde-Caron who played for the Cataractes the previous four seasons. “It will be a good game; they have a good team this year.”

One of the biggest reasons for Lewiston’s winning ways has been the offensive resurgence of forwards Michael Chaput and Pierre-Olivier Morin.

“Every thing went well this weekend,” said Chaput. “I needed to focus more and just don’t worry about anything. You play the game because you love it and play as hard as I can.”

Chaput had a goal and two assists last week while Morin added two goals and an assist of his own during the same stretch.

“They have been playing well,” said Maineiacs head coach J.F. Houle. “They’ve gotten some key goals and it is just a matter of time before they come around. They played well this past weekend and hopefully they keep it going like that.”

Houle hopes the team can continue with their strong special teams from last weekend.

“It was a good weekend,” he said. “We played real well and our special teams were really good. We hope to keep it going.”

The team can’t let off the gas by looking back at the previous week.

“We need to focus on the upcoming games and take one game at a time,” said Houde-Caron.

“You can’t be satisfied with three wins in a row,” Chaput added. “We are a good team in this league, but I’m sure we can do much better than this.”

Goaltender Nicolas Champion also believes the team can’t let off the gas.

“I think it’s important not to be overconfident when you win a few games a row,” Champion said. “You have to just as focus for the upcoming games.”

Houde-Caron gave some insight on his former club.

“I think (Eric) Veilleux is a coach that has his players working very hard, and they finish their checks. I think they will be a very intense (team).”

Shawinigan enters Wednesday’s contest fourth in the TELUS West division with a 6-6-0-1 record.

NOTES: Regardless of political preference if fans show up with a hat, t-shirt, sweatshirt, jacket, pin, or show up with a bumper sticker or sign, supporting a candidate, fans will get admission to the game for just $1.00. The team will travel to Gatineau, QC on Friday for a two game set against the Olympiques.

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