It’s unclear whether Sidney Crosby will be in the lineup when Lewiston hosts Rimouski.
LEWISTON – Four games, four Lewiston wins this season over the Rimouski Oceanic, with and without the vaunted Sidney Crosby.
This week, while the playing status of the 16-year-old Rimouski phenom is still in doubt, Lewiston has a chance to gain valuable ground against the team currently leading their division.
“Whether he’s there or not, they are still a very good team,” said Maineiacs coach Ed Harding. “We have to prepare as if he is going to be there. To do otherwise would be a disservice to the team.”
With Crosby in the lineup, Lewiston has defeated Rimouski by scores of 3-1, 6-1 and 10-4. In December, with Crosby out of the lineup, Francis Trudel scored 1:19 into overtime to propel the Maineiacs to a 3-2 win.
“I’m sure they are preparing the same way we are, assuming that our missing guys will be back,” said Harding. “It was a very good game the last time we met. I don’t think we played very well or very smart in that game, but we did get the win.”
While it is uncertain whether or not Vladislav Balaz and Richard Stehlik will be back in time for the first game, Marc-Andre Cliche and Chad Denny are back from the U-17 tournament. Cliche, according to Harding, will reassume his role on the top line, at least for now. Denny may or may not play, and that will be a gametime coaches’ decision.
“It’s good that we at least have some guys back and able to play,” said Harding. “I may end up moving Cliche to center the line with (Gabriel) Balasescu and (Alexandre) Picard, but he will play.”
Also back on Thursday, though maybe not in a full coaching capacity, will be head coach Mario Durocher. Fresh off of a silver medal at the World Juniors with Team Canada, Durocher will likely be behind the bench, but only to observe.
“I don’t know that he will be taking an active part at all,” said Harding. “We expect him to be back and in full control of the team by Friday or Saturday.”
The series itself is important for the Maineiacs. Just a month ago, Rimouski was an unattainable beacon on the Eastern Division horizon. Now, the Oceanic are only seven points up on Chicoutimi, and just 13 ahead of the Maineiacs. Two wins by the Maineiacs would pull Rimouski within nine points, with still 25 games to play in the season.
“To have two games back-to-back like this is great for the league, and for the two teams,” said Harding. “It helps to develop division rivalries, and it is great for the fans to watch.”
In six games against Rimouski over the last two years, Brandon Verge is a perfect 6-0. In this season’s four wins, he has a 2.00 goals-against-average.
“I don’t know what it is about that team,” said Verge in a recent interview. “I guess with wins against them before, I feel more confident in myself against them.”
Harding said that although Verge has played well, he is still uncertain who will start this weekend. Verge and Davis, back from an injury, have both played well in the last week.
“All of us are going to sit down tonight and discuss what we want to do,” said Harding. “Stephane Waite, Jeff (Guay), and Norm (Gosselin, the team’s General Manager) are all in town tonight, and we will discuss things from there.”
Lewiston has the day off on Saturday, and will return to the ice at home on Sunday to face Moncton.
jpelletier@sunjournal.com
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