SUMMERSIDE, Prince Edward Island – Tristan Fortin converted a great pass from Jérémy Duguay to allow the Edmundston Blizzard to sign a 4-3 victory at 4:20 of the second overtime, Sunday night at the home of the Summerside Western Capitals.
With this Blizzard victory, the MHL Eastlink North division semi-final series is now tied 1-1.
The Blizzard played the same trick the Capitals had given them the day before when they erased a two-goal deficit. Trailing 3-1 after 40 minutes, the Blizzard scored twice in 40 seconds early in the third period (1:41 and 2:21) to force overtime.
The host team took the lead at 3:03 of the first period thanks to a goal from William Irvine. Austin Paul replied on a two-man advantage at 11:04. Jacob Stewart restored the lead to the Western Capitals at 15:58 and the two teams retired to the dressing room with a score of 2-1 in favor of Summerside.
The league’s leading scorer in the season, Colby MacArthur, scored the only goal of the middle frame, at 15:23.
Perhaps overconfident of winning the contest, the Western Capitals saw the Blizzard hit with lightning speed to start the third period. Youngsters Ethan Johnson (1:41) and Jesse Chamberlain (2:21) brought euphoria to the Blizzard camp.
Missing a few players, Emery Olauson’s men never lacked energy, especially in the third period and in the two overtime periods. When Tristan Fortin scored the game-winning goal in second overtime, the Blizzard had fired four shots to none for their opponent.
In total, the locals dominated in shots (48-24), but it seems that the Blizzard deserved a few more shots.
The two coaches called on the same two goalies, Félix-Anthony Éthier (Western Capitals) and Raphaël Audet (Blizzard). Audet was once again solid, robbing the Capitals of almost certain goals in the second half of the third period.
Fortin (1st), Audet (2nd) and MacArthur (3rd) were chosen as the best players of the game. Audet thus deserves the second star for a second night in a row.
With his dazzling speed, Alex Savoie continually pushed the Capitals defensemen far into their territory. Savoie ended the evening with an assist. Tristan Therrien also did well with two assists. Paul and Fortin also collected two points each (1g, 1a).
In hockey language, the Blizzard is said to have regained “home rink advantage” as Games 3 and 4 will be played at the Jean-Daigle Centre next Thursday (8:30 p.m. and Friday (7:30 p.m.).
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Photo
Tristan Fortin ended the suspense in the second overtime after receiving a nice pass from Jérémy Duguay. Fortin only had to push the puck into an empty net. Photo archives Percy Picard
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone