YARMOUTH, Nova Scotia – The Edmundston Blizzard came close to tying the series in the final 4-7 series of the Metalfab MHL Cup.
After erasing a three-goal deficit (3-0), the Blizzard bounced back to take a 5-4 lead in the third period, but the Yarmouth Mariners took control and eventually won 7-5 on Monday night at the Mariners Centre. Yarmouth now has a commanding 2-0 lead in the series as they travel to Edmundston for games 3, 4 and, if necessary, 5.
Big defenseman Ben Roode (1st star) had a great game with a goal and four assists. Ryan Semple (3rd star; 2g, 2a), Reid Vos (1g, 1a), Alex Roode, Andrew Stuckless and Andrew Stuckless (empty net) rounded out the scoring for the host team.
Playoffs’ leading scorer Patrick LeBlanc (2nd star) was the spark plug for the Blizzard with a goal and three assists. Other Blizzard scorers were Tim Porter, Jérémy Duguay, Olivier Coulombe, and Alex Arsenault.
Unlike the game presented yesterday, won 1-0 by the Mariners, the goalies had more trouble to shut down opponents. Thomas Boucher faced 31 shots in front of the Blizzard cage compared to 29 for Joey Lovullo.
The Mariners took a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play and were ahead 4-3 after the second period.
The Blizzard took their first lead of the series at 6:02 of the third period but it was short-lived as the Mariners answered right back on the power play at 7:45. Ben Roode scored the game winner on an apparent deflection for the winning goal at 17:13. The Mariners’ final goal came in an empty net with nine seconds left.
The next few games promise to be exciting at the Jean-Daigle Centre. They are scheduled for Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. If a fifth game is needed, it will be played Sunday at 3 p.m.
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Photo
Patrick LeBlanc was very effective once again. He collected four points and leads the scoring column in the playoffs. Photo Percy Picard in Yarmouth
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone