Francis Asselin was solid as a rock on Sunday, guiding the Blizzard to a 2-1 win. Photo Olivier Chiasson
The Blizzard had a perfect two-game weekend and completed the 2017 portion of its schedule with an outstanding record of 22 wins, 4 losses and 3 defeats in overtime. The team’s 47 points are 15 better than the Campbellton Tigers (15-11-2-0) and the Miramichi Timberwolves (14-10-2-2) tied for second in the EastLink North division with 32 points. The Blizzard leads the Yarmouth Mariners by four points in the overall standings.
On Sunday, goalkeeper Francis Asselin had a tremendous game blocking 31 of 32 shots. He gave up the only goal on a 2-on-0 breakaway at 10:56 of the first period. Asselin was let to himself against the attackers Campbell Pickard and Dylan Burton who came alone in front of him. Burton got the marker.
The Blizzard quickly recovered in the second period. Alexandre Bernier tied the score on the power play at 4:00 as a result of a shot that tricked goaltender Kevin Resop with a lot of circulation in front of the net. Gabriel Vanier and Nolan Alward prepared the goal.
A little more than three minutes later, at 7:13, Vanier sent the puck into the slot that was skilfully deflected by Pierre Bourgoin. Rearguard Tristan Mercure was also credited with an assist.
The rest of the game was the story of Asselin who pushed away every shot. He rarely allowed rebounds to opponents. Not surprisingly, Asselin earned the first star of the game. His teammates Alexandre Bernier (2nd) and Pierre Bourgoin (3rd) were also honoured.
The Blizzard will enjoy a long break of 18 days. The team will return to action on January 5, 6, and 7 with a three-game streak in Nova Scotia. The Blizzard will return to the Jean-Daigle Centre on Wednesday, January 10th.
QUICK NOTES – The Blizzard has lost only one game in regulation time in its last 17 games (13 wins, 1 loss, 3 overtime losses). During that span, the team recorded 29 points on a possibility of 34… Except for the defeat at the MHL Showcase in October in a neutral territory, the Blizzard has not lost a single game in regulation time on opposing rinks this season… The Blizzard has the best defensive statistics of the league. The team allowed 72 goals in 29 games for a goal-against average of 2.48 per game… On Sunday, Edmundston’s team became the third in the league to reach the 100-goal mark. With 101 goals, the Blizzard is right behind South Shore (108) and Yarmouth (105)… The speedster Alexandre Jacob is the top scorer for the Blizzard with 34 points in 29 games. He ranks 6th in the league. Logan Johnston, who came back after his participation to the World Junior A Challenge, is second with 30 points… Liam Leonard still leads the league among rookies with 28 points.
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone