NEW GLASGOW, Nova Scotia – The Edmundston Blizzard demonstrated their clear superiority for a third game in the final series of the Metalfab MHL Cup by easily defeating the Pictou County Weeks Crushers 7-2 on Wednesday evening in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.
In the process, the Blizzard took a 3-0 lead in the final series, and will have the opportunity to lift the Maritime Junior A Hockey League’s Holy Grail tomorrow night in the fourth game of the series.
From the moment the Blizzard took a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes of play, the outcome of the game was already pointing in the Edmundston team’s favor, as they will attempt to win the playoff championship for the first time since their historic conquest in 2018.
Once again, the Blizzard’s diversified attack crushed the local’s defense like a road roller. Jérémy D’Astous (7th, 3a), Carl-Anthony Massé (10th, 2a, 1st star), Darien Thomson (5th, 1a), Émile Fournier (13th, 1a), Marco Martin (4th, 1a), Philippe Collette (4th) and Jérémy Fortin (3rd) shook things up for the Blizzard who, once again, were supported by numerous fans who made the long drive to Nova Scotia. Defenseman Raphaël Denis (2nd star) picked up two assists.
Ryan Walsh (1st, 1a, 3rd star) and Clint MacLaughlin (2nd) were the only ones to break through the wall of Austin Caley, who had to outdo himself a few times, although he only faced 21 shots.
In the Crushers camp, goaltender Thomas Fontaine gave up six goals on 34 shots in 51 minutes and 25 seconds of work, while his replacement, Yianni Karkoulas, allowed one goal on five shots.
The Blizzard took a two-goal lead (3-1) after the first period. They increased their lead to three goals (5-2) at the conclusion of the second frame.
The two leading scorers in the playoffs are now Blizzard players. Carl-Anthony Massé (10g, 11a = 21pts) sits at the top, followed by Jérémy D’Astous (7g, 12a = 19pts). The two teammates have played just 12 playoff games each. Kyle Ward’s team record of 22 points, set in 17 games during the 2018 playoffs, is therefore under threat.
Combined with a dream regular season of 44-6-1-1, Simon Olivier’s squad has just notched up its 55th win this season. The Blizzard will be looking to lift the Cup tomorrow (Thursday, April 24) before preparing for the Canadian Centennial Cup Championship, to be held May 8-18 in Calgary, Alberta.
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Photo
Carl-Anthony Massé tallied three points in each game of the final series. He is on an eight-game point streak in the playoffs. Photo archives Percy Picard
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Source: Hugues Chiasson, communications co-ordinator – Edmundston Blizzard – 506 740-0623 – (cell.)