EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – It was a close call for the Edmundston Blizzard players on Wednesday night at the Jean-Daigle Centre. Simon Olivier’s men squandered two three-goal leads (4-1 and 5-2) when they saw the Truro Bearcats tie the game at 18:07 of the third period. In overtime (at 2:02), captain Mitchell McLeod settled the debate by scoring a superb goal on a perfect setup pass from Alex Arsenault. The Blizzard finally prevailed with a 6-5 win.
Patrick LeBlanc (10th and 11th), Alex Arsenault (22nd), Philippe Collette (4th) and Olivier Coulombe (36th) shook the ropes for the Blizzard in regulation time.
Bearcats replied with goals from Carter McCluskey (18th), Taner Humber-Dredge (13th; 3rd star), Landon Miron (19th), Josh Steele (8th) and Sam Archibald (13th).
With a 5-4 lead, the Blizzard could have knocked out their opponents just before the halfway mark in the third period when the Bearcats took two minor penalties on the same play stoppage. But the Blizzard snipers could not find the back of the net with the two-men advantage.
The Blizzard had a 44-34 advantage in the shooting column. Samuel LeBlanc picked up his seventh straight win in net for Edmundston. Jack Milner was in front of the Bearcats cage.
Patrick LeBlanc (2-1; 2nd star), Alex Arsenault (1-2) and Philippe Collette (1-2) each had three points for the Blizzard. Coulombe (1-1) and first star McLeod (1-1) finished the night with two points. McLeod became the third Blizzard to reach 100 career points. With 101 points, he finds himself behind Jérémy Duguay (106 points) and Logan Johnston (135 points).
The Blizzard (28-12-0-1) extended their lead atop the Eastlink North division of the MHL. With 57 points, they have a three-point priority over the Campbellton Tigers and four over the Summerside Western Capitals, whom they will face Friday night at the Jean-Daigle Centre in addition to the third period not played in the suspended game of January 28. The regular game of three 15-minute periods will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be followed by the 20-minute period of the game to be completed.
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Photo
Captain Mitchell McLeod scored the game winner in overtime on Wednesday night. (Photo Percy Picard)
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone