NEW GLASGOW, Nova Scotia – The Edmundston Blizzard swept the best-of-seven final series against the Pictou County Weeks Crushers, winning 3-1 on Thursday, April 24, in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, to claim the precious Metalfab MHL Cup.
A total of 238 days have passed since the team’s training camp opened on August 29, 2024. A long season marked by challenges, player movements and numerous adjustments, but filled with records and exhilarating moments, culminated in the second playoff championship in the history of the Edmundston team on Thursday night. A season that will certainly go down in the team’s annals. The Blizzard crowned a dream year 2024-2025. Combined: 56 wins, 6 regulation-time losses, 2 overtime defeats and 1 shootout loss.
Although he didn’t receive a star in the game, goaltender Frédéric Cousineau stole the show on Thursday night. He frustrated all but one of the Weeks Crushers’ attacks in their desperate bid for a series win. He made multiple spectacular saves that really made a difference and instilled a dose of confidence in his teammates. The big goalie from Malartic, Québec, lost his shutout with 61 seconds left in the game as the Blizzard were then cruising to a 3-0 triumph.
The Blizzard got down to business in the first period with a 26-shot bombardment of opposing goaltender Thomas Fontaine, who was beaten twice, by Jérémy D’Astous (8th) at 4:55 and Philippe Collette (5th) at 18:49. The Blizzard captain struck again with his sixth goal of the playoffs at 13:56 of the middle period.
The Blizzard finished the night with 41 shots to the Weeks Crushers’ 22, who were literally paralyzed by the Blizzard’s airtight defensive system.
Philippe Collette was named first star with two goals. Jérémy D’Astous scored a goal and an assist, earning him second star honors. The third star went to Weeks Crushers goaltender Thomas Fontaine.
Overall in the series, the Blizzard scored 23 goals to the Crushers’ 9.
Before lifting the Metalfab MHL Cup, Carl-Anthony Massé was named the playoffs MVP. He finished first in scoring with 22 points (10g, 12a). He got at least one point in the last nine games of the current series, a team record. What’s more, he tied the Blizzard record for most points, a record he shares with Kyle Ward, who achieved the feat in 17 games in 2018. Massé needed just 13 games to reach 22 points.
Jérémy D’Astous finished the playoffs as the league’s second-highest scorer with 21 points (8g, 13a), followed by Philippe Collette with 20 points (6g, 14a). The top scorer of the playoffs was Émile Fournier, who found the back of the net 13 times.
A touching scene worthy of mention at the end of the game: the Blizzard players headed to the side of the team’s many fans to show their gratitude and love. They repeatedly struck the glass window to show their appreciation for the league’s best fans.
Pictou County defenseman Drew Maddigan was named the first recipient of UGIC’s Lighthouse Award for academic, community and on-ice achievements. Maddigan finished the playoffs with 2 goals and 12 assists in 13 games, the most of any defenseman.
This second playoff championship for the Blizzard (the first in 2018) doesn’t mean the players will hang up their skates for the season. They will take part in the Canadian Centennial Cup Championship in Calgary, May 8-18.
Edmundston will play four games in the preliminary round, on May 8 (against the Central Canada Hockey League – CCHL champions), May 10 (against the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League – SJHL champions), May 12 (against the Valleyfield Braves of the Ligue hockey junior AAA du Québec – LHJAAAQ) and May 13 (against the host team, the Calgary Canucks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League – AJHL). For more details on the Canadian Championship: https://www.hockeycanada.ca/fr-ca/national-championships/men/national-junior-a/2025.
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The Blizzard, 2025 MHL playoffs champions! Photos Percy Picard in Pictou County
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Source: Hugues Chiasson, communications co-ordinator – Edmundston Blizzard – 506 740-0623 – (cell.)