CAMPBELLTON, New Brunswick – Frustrated by a top shape goaltender, the Edmundston Blizzard finally found ways to beat Braxton Castagno, scoring four unanswered goals in the third period to defeat the Campbellton Tigers, 5-3, on the Restigouche rink.
After Tyler Pazin’s third goal of the game at 3:22 of the final period, the Tigers appeared to be on their way to victory. In the fifth minute, however, the Blizzard began their spectacular comeback, starting with Alex Thibault who completed a beautiful three-way exchange with teammates Justin Hébert and Ryan Loveless. At 5:14, Thibault scored his first career MHL goal.
After a face-off won by Jérémy Ste-Marie, Noah Matulu took a shot and Peter Amanatidis got a rebound to tie the game with his eleventh goal of the campaign at 7:59. The Blizzard continued to hammer the opposing defence. On a power play at 10:34, veteran Jérémie Thibodeau scored his first goal of the season with a shot from the point. And to complete the scoring, Alexis Jacques put in the best individual effort of the evening, going around the goalkeeper for his 6th goal of the season at 16:42.
With a first-period goal and two assists, Ste-Marie earned the game’s first star. The others went to Pazin (hat-trick, 2nd star) and goalkeeper Castagno (3rd star), who denied the Blizzard numerous chances.
The Blizzard dominated the first period, then the Tigers came out on top in the second. Simon Olivier’s men regained control in the third period with a series of good scoring opportunities.
The Blizzard fired 35 shots against Castagno’s cage. Nicholas Sheehan faced 33 shots from the Tigers. The Moncton goalie had to step up a few times in the third period to maintain the Blizzard lead.
The Blizzard (19-8-0-0) won their ninth straight game, the longest active streak in the MHL. Despite their success, the Blizzard are struggling to catch up with the West Kent Steamers, who won again on Friday night. The Blizzard are still four points behind the Steamers (20-7-2-0). Edmundston, however, has two games in hand. The Blizzard’s next game is at Grand-Bouctouche on Sunday, in what will be a crucial duel for the Eastlink North Division standings.
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Jérémy Ste-Marie was named the game’s first star on Friday in Campbellton. He had a goal and two assists. Photos archives Percy Picard
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone