GRAND FALLS, New Brunswick – A goal by Aaron Brown at 17:06 of the third period paved the way for an Edmundston Blizzard 4-3 win over the Grand Falls Rapids in the opening season game at the E. and P. Senechal Centre in front of 1,317 fans.
The Rapids couldn’t hold on to two one-goal lead they had in bank in the first period. The opening frame offered some flaws in the game’s execution creating numerous offensive chances. The Blizzard scored early when Isaac Chapman found the back of the net at 1:47. The Rapids rallied with two consecutive goals midway through the first, at 11:09 (Danny Griffith) and 13:40 (Adrian Ward). But Chapman, again, brought both teams back to square one at 15:17. A little more than two minutes later, the Rapids took back the lead 3-2 thanks to Matthew MacKay’s goal.
After a more boring and goalless second period, the Blizzard’s players got back on their wheels in the third. Alex Arsenault tied the game at 2:19 before Brown put the final touch at the end of the game.
Goaltender Antoine Lyonnais blocked 20 shots to get the win. His opponent, Tyriq Outen, faced 26 pucks.
At the end of the game, Blizzard’s organization stated that forward Dallas Maurovic had chosen to leave the team before the start of the campaign.
The Blizzard will open its season at home Sunday by hosting the Campbellton Tigers starting at 3 pm. Fans are invited to a tailgate party beginning at 1pm at the front doors of the Jean-Daigle Centre.
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Photo
In this action shot taken in the third period, Alex Arsenault finds his way to the net to beat Rapids’ goalkeeper. The goal would then tie the score at 3.
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, Edmundston Blizzard vice-president communications; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone