Cornwall Ontairo — The River Kings will welcome back a familiar face to their lineup this weekend.
Eric Meloche has come to terms with Cornwall and is expected to play on Saturday night when the Sorel-Tracy Eperviers pay a visit to the Civic Complex.
Last season with the River Kings, Meloche had 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in 31 games. The 5-foot-10, 200 lb. power forward also chipped in 62 penalty minutes.
The 37-year-old veteran will be a welcome addition in the locker room.
“Eric has agreed to come help us out and it’s nice to have his leadership presence,” said head coach Steve Simoes. “He’s a competitor.”
It’s a new year and coach Simoes is looking for more passion on the ice in 2014. “I want to see a consistent, honest effort,” he said. “I want their passion for the game to come out in their play.”
On Saturday evening, Sorel is expected to have Jon “Nasty” Mirasty in their lineup. The heavyweight has 47 penalty minutes in 5 games this season, his first in the LNAH since 2006-07 when he compiled 304 penalty minutes in 41 games with Sorel.
The last time these two teams faced off on Nov. 8 in Sorel, there were plenty of fireworks, with Mirasty in the thick of things all night. “In Sorel, Jon and Frank (Francis Lessard) had a great bout,” said Simoes. Then with 22 seconds to play in the game, which Cornwall won 5-3, Mirasty and Kings defenceman Brett Angel were involved in a controversial melee. “The way that game ended with Jon and Angel, it should be interesting on Saturday.”