EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – You have to go back before the pandemic and maybe even during the very first season to witness such an exciting game at the Jean-Daigle Centre.
Led by three goals and an assist from captain Mitchell McLeod, the Blizzard defeated the Miramichi Timberwolves 9-5 to claim their fifth straight win. The two teams were tied 4-4 after 40 minutes of play.
The excited and noisy crowd recalled the glory days of the Blizzard. The home team used the energy of their loyal supporters to literally explode in the third period.
For McLeod, it was his first career hat trick, and his four points are also a personal high. He scored his three goals in the third period just like Tristan Fortin had already done on September 30, 2021, in Miramichi. Additionally, McLeod’s four points tie Noah Gibbs’ mark (February 11, 2022) for most in a single period by a Blizzard player.
Alex Arsenault (2g, 1a), Jacob Duguay (1g, 1a), Mathieu Pelletier (1g, 1a), Tim Porter (1g), Noah Matulu (1g), Jérémy Duguay (2a), and Marco Martin (2a) also contributed to the Blizzard’s offensive success (5-4-0-0).
Daryk Dubé-Plouffe was on all the attacks for Miramichi. He scored his 7th, 8th, and 9th goals of the season in addition to adding an assist. Dubé-Plouffe totals 17 points in only 7 games and leads all MHL scorers. Mason Beck and Max Jardine completed the scoring for the Timberwolves (4-2-1-0).
McLeod (1st), Arsenault (2nd) and Plouffe (3rd) fully deserved the three stars of the clash.
Although 14 goals were scored in this crazy game, both goalkeepers were often exceptional. For one, Kenzie MacPhail of the Timberwolves was stunning in the first period facing 22 shots. Had it not been for his brilliant performance, the Blizzard could have scored at least five goals in the frame. But Edmundston returned to the locker room with a slim 2-1 lead.
In the second, it was the turn of Blizzard goalkeeper, Samuel LeBlanc, to impress in front of a barrage of 20 opposing shots.
Both teams totaled 92 shots on goal, 50 by the Blizzard and 42 by the Timberwolves.
The 14 goals were a high in a game at the Jean-Daigle Centre since the team’s arrival in 2017.
In addition, the Blizzard had a newcomer to its roster in Jérémy Fortin, an 18-year-old player from Rivière-du-Loup. Before joining the Blizzard, Fortin played 4 games with the Estevan Bruins of the Saskatchewan Junior A Hockey League (SJHL). He scored a goal with this team.
The Blizzard will have to come back to earth quickly because they will host the Yarmouth Mariners (3-4-0-0) in less than 24 hours on Saturday (7:30 p.m.). Sunday (3 p.m.), Edmundston will visit the Campbellton Tigers (3-3-0-0) who inflicted a first loss to the Summerside Western Capitals, Friday night in the Restigouche County.
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Photo
Mitchell McLeod is all smile after scoring the Blizzard’s 6th goal in the third period on a deflection. This goal proved to be the winning one. Photo Percy Picard
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone