EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – Félix Bédard scored a second straight hat trick at home, and added an assist, as he led the Edmundston Blizzard to a convincing 8-3 win over the Pictou County Weeks Crushers, the first team from the Eastlink South Division to visit the Jean-Daigle Centre this season.
As they have shown this year, the Blizzard got off to a slow start, scoring the only goal of the opening period. After that, Blizzard’s offense tore down the opponents’ defense. Edmundston scored four goals in the second and three more in the third.
Philippe Collette also had an excellent game with two goals and two assists. Justin Hébert also distinguished himself with four assists, a career high for the Shippagan forward in a single game.
Jérémy Fortin and Colby Morin had a goal and an assist apiece. Ryan Loveless netted the other for the Blizzard, whose record now stands at eight wins and three losses.
Ben Mercer topped the losing cause with two goals and an assist. Logan O’Neil also found the back of the net for the Weeks Crushers (3-7-1-0).
Samuel LeBlanc was very effective in front of the Blizzard cage, protecting the tenuous 1-0 lead brilliantly until the second period. He faced 28 shots. Both Weeks Crushers goalkeepers had a tough night, facing 50 shots.
Tempers flared in the third period with several penalties awarded by both referees.
Bédard (1st), Collette (2nd) and Morin (3rd) were named stars of the game.
Chicoutimi’s Félix Bédard scored at least one goal in his last sixth game. Only Kyle Ward (7) and Olivier Coulombe (9) have done better in Blizzard history. What’s more, Bédard leads the league in points (24) and goals (12) in 11 games.
The Blizzard’s next game looks very promising when they take on their eternal rivals, the Summerside Western Capitals (5-1-3-1), leaders of the Eastlink South Division, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Jean-Daigle Centre. Edmundston (57) and Summerside (62) are the two teams with the most goals in the circuit. However, the Blizzard have the best defensive statistics in the league, with a goals-against average of 2.55.
– 30 –
Photo
Félix Bédard scored another hat trick to lead the Blizzard to a 8-3 decisive win. (Photo Percy Picard)
– 30 –
Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone