EDMUNDSTON, N.B. – Forward Alex Thibault scored the game-winning goal with 1:56 remaining in the third period, giving the Edmundston Blizzard an important 3-2 victory over the Miramichi Timberwolves on Friday night at the Jean-Daigle Centre.
With a keen sense of the play, Thibault picked up a rebound from defenseman Zachary Robichaud, who had joined the attack in hopes of breaking the 2-2 tie late in the third period. Thibault fought hard to get the puck past goalie Jack Flanagan.
The 2,202 spectators cheered loudly, especially since the two players involved in the winning goal are local Edmundston players.
Miramichi set the tone for the evening by scoring the first goal, courtesy of Ryan Hayes (3rd) at 17:57 of the opening period.
The Blizzard got going in the second frame with Darien Thomson’s 20th goal, scored on a breakaway at 13:52, followed by Charles-Éric Tremblay’s eighth goal of the season at 16:34.
The Timberwolves wasted no time in tying the score early in the third period (at 0:31) thanks to Olivier Théberge’s sixth goal, another defenseman who beat goalie Cédric Massé with a shot from the blue line with traffic in front of the net.
Thibault, the first star of the night, scored his sixth goal, a personal best in a single Junior A season.
Darien Thomson (3rd) and Émile Fournier (2nd) earned the other stars of the game.
The Blizzard dominated 35-31 in shots on goal.
Edmundston (15-12-1-2 = 33 pts) moved within one point of the Campbellton Tigers (15-12-3-1 = 34 pts), who occupy the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastlink North Division.
The same two teams will face off again on Saturday night (7 p.m.), this time at the Timberwolves’ home arena. The Blizzard will finish its pre-holiday schedule by taking on the West Kent Steamers on Sunday (4 p.m.) in Grand-Bouctouche.
NOTES – Before the game, five players from the 2024-2025 championship team were honored by Blizzard fans: captain Philippe Collette and his former teammates Jérémy Fortin, Carl-Anthony Massé, Jérémy D’Astous, and Marco Martin.
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Photo
Alex Thibault lifts the puck into the net, much to the dismay of goalie Jack Flanagan. Photo Percy Picard
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Source: Hugues Chiasson, communications – Edmundston Blizzard (506) 253-7741