EDMUNDSTON, Nouveau-Brunswick – It was Greek night at the the Jean-Daigle Centre on Wednesday, as the Blizzard hardly doubled up the Campbellton Tigers 4-2 to take first place in the MHL’s Easlink North division.
Two players of Greek descent, Anastasios Lazaris and Peter Amanatidis, put on a show to the delight of fans who appreciate the efforts of these two 20-year-old Montreal hockey players.
Defenseman Lazaris earned the game’s first star by scoring the winning goal (2nd) and adding two assists. Captain Amanatidis registered the goal (12th) that tied the score at 2-2.
Félix Bédard (28th) and Philippe Collette (20th, 2nd star) had a goal and an assist each.
Izach Poirier, in a shorthanded effort (3rd, 3rd star), and Van Sawlor (2nd) replied for the Tigers (12-20-1-0).
Despite dominating 29-10 in shots after 40 minutes, the Blizzard led by just one goal (3-2). The Tigers shook off their torpor in the third by firing 18 shots, but the Blizzard and their star goalkeeper, Nicholas Sheehan, held on. Edmundston finished with 37 shots against Dekon Randell-Snow, who put in a solid performance.
The Blizzard enjoyed a fourth straight triumph. Simon Olivier’s men have lost just one game in regulation time in their last 18 outings (16-1-1-0). The Blizzard (26-9-1-0 = 53pts) are ahead of the West Kent Steamers (25-9-2-0 = 52pts) at the top of the Eastlink North division for the first time in several weeks. Both teams have played the same number of games (36). There are 52 games on the calendar this season, so it’s sure to be a battle to the finish. In the overall MHL standings, the Summerside Western Capitals still lead with a record of 24-4-3-4 for 55 points.
The Blizzard play their last three games of January against the Grand Falls Rapids, first on Friday, January 19 (7 p.m.) at the E & P Sénéchal Center, then on Friday, January 26 (7:30 p.m.) at the Jean-Daigle Centre, and finally on Wednesday, January 31 (7 p.m.) back at the E & P Sénéchal Center.
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Photo
Anastasios Lazaris had a great three-point night on Wednesday at the Jean-Daigle Centre. Photo Percy Picard
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone