EDMUNDSTON, N.B. – After a crushing 12-1 victory last Friday in Miramichi, the Edmundston Blizzard knew that the Timberwolves would not come to the Northwestern metropolis without wanting to avenge this bitter setback.
And that’s what almost happened. If it hadn’t been for a masterful performance by Blizzard goalkeeper Raphaël Audet, the hungry Wolves might well have run away with the win. Audet faced 40 shots, including 20 in the second period, to lead the Blue and Whites to a 4-3 triumph. Timberwolves goalie Presley Lester also shone as he faced a barrage of 42 shots.
The Blizzard took a 1-0 lead thanks to Noah Gibbs’ 12th goal of the campaign at 11:32 of the opening period, on a shorthanded mission.
In the second, Jacob Santerre (20th) and MacLaren Dick (1st) gave Miramichi a 2-1 lead with goals scored at 12:55 and 17:20. With just 21 seconds left in the second period, Austin Paul found the back of the net with his 13th goal of the campaign.
Tristan Therrien (13th) broke the 2-2 tie at 12:46 of the third period. Mathieu Pelletier (8th) followed to beat Lester at 14:49 in what turned out to be the important insurance goal as Santerre (21st) scored again for the visitors with 5 seconds left in the game.
Paul (1g, 2a) for the Blizzard, and Santerre (2g, 1a) for the Timberwolves (5-18-2-1) ended their evening with three points each.
Goalkeepers Audet (1st) and Lester (3rd) as well as Therrien (2nd) were chosen as the stars of the match-up.
The Blizzard now shows a record of 17-7-1-2. With 37 points, they remained in the second spot of the Eastlink North Division. The Fredericton Red Wings trail by only three points. With 15 games to play by the end of its schedule, the Blizzard will have a big command to reach the first place Summerside Western Capitals who total 48 points (23-3-1-1).
Edmundston will play its next game on Saturday (7:30 p.m.) with the Valley Wildcats (13-11-2-1 = 27pts) being the visitors at the Jean-Daigle Centre.
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Photo
Raphaël Audet is on a roll. After being proclaimed the second star of Sunday’s game in Fredericton, he earned the first in Wednesday night’s game. Photo Percy Picard
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone