EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – The Summerside Western Capitals took a serious option to win the Maritime Hockey League’s Eastlink North Semi-Final Series when they defeated the Edmundston Blizzard 5-2 Friday night at the Jean-Daigle Centin in front of 2,451 spectators, by far the best crowd of the season on the circuit.
The Western Capitals built a three-goal lead six minutes into the second period and the Blizzard were never able to come within two goals of Summerside.
Jacob Stewart stole the show with a goal in each period for the Western Capitals. Sid McNeill and Aaron Brown completed the scoring for the visitors.
Brendan Sibley, with his first net of the campaign (regular season and playoffs combined) and Alex Savoie replied for the Blizzard who now faces elimination. The Capitals lead the series 4 of 7, 3 wins to 1. The next game is Sunday, April 3 at 7 p.m. in Summerside.
Trailing 4-2 midway through the 3rd period, the Blizzard missed a great opportunity to come within a goal of the Capitals when they earned a penalty shot. The Blizzard’s leading scorer in the regular season, Tristan Therrien, was picket by his coach to take the shot but could not beat goalkeeper Félix-Anthony Éthier, who was playing a fourth game in front of the visitors’ goal. Simon Couroux was making his first playoff start in the Blizzard net. Summerside outshot 32-23.
Stewart (1st, Summerside), Savoie (2nd, Blizzard) and Brown (3rd, Summerside) were chosen as the stars of the game.
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Photo
Blizzard defenseman and captain Brendan Sibley reacts after scoring the first goal for the Blizzard, at 10:22 into the second period which made it 3-1 in favor of the Capitals. Photo Percy Picard
Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone