Logan Johnston is about to jump into captain Kyle Ward’s arms after scoring the winning goal in the second period. Photo Digiphoto
Logan Johnston played the hero scoring two goals in the second period including the winning marker late in the bout.
Despite an interesting start, the Blizzard saw the Western Capitals score twice in the first period. The Maritime Junior Hockey League’s top scorer, TJ Shea, opened the score at 5:24 before adding an assist on the second Capitals’ goal by Jordan Spence at 17:21.
The blizzard strucked in the second period. The locals did not take long to take advantage of a sloppy Summerside defense. Logan Johnston beat the newcomer goaltender Brayden Lachance at 1:26. Jeff Akerley then raised the crowd from their seats when he tied the score 2-2, at 3:29. On a power play situation, Johnston scored at 18:27 to give the Blizzard a 3-2 lead.
There were no goal in the third period. Edmundston led in shots in each period, finishing with 38 compared to 21 for Summerside. Francis Asselin got the win in front of the Blizzard net.
Blizzard head coach Ryan Salvis acknowledged that it was not an easy win for his team.
“They brought a 20-year-old goalie (Brayden Lachance), said Salvis. He played very well for them. That team is always tough to play against and they are very well coached. Summerside plays tough hockey. They have a couple of players out for injuries.
“It wasn’t easy for us. We found another way to win a one-goal game, ” said the coach.
Salvis spoke to his players during the first intermission, telling them that they had played well, that they had even dominated the first 10 minutes of play and that there was still 40 minutes to play. “We had just two breakdowns in the defensive zone that led to their goals. ”
Not surprisingly, Johnston earned the first star of the game. The second went to defenseman Alexandre Bernier who picked up two assists, and the third to Jeff Akerley.
The same two teams will face again on Sunday, October 29 at the Jean-Daigle Centre, starting at 3 pm.
QUICK NOTES – The Blizzard won a 10th game this season in 13 outings. With 20 points, the team is six points ahead of the St. Stephen Aces at the top of the EastLink North Division… The 50-50 draw winner left the building with an astonishing $4,417… People can get tickets for October 29th game online (blizzardedmundston.ca or wowedmundston.ca), at the Edmundston Sports Pavilion or at the Jean-Daigle Centre box office an hour before the game.
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone