GRAND-BOUCTOUCHE, N.B. – Defenseman Zachary Robichaud lifted his teammates by scoring the game-winning goal with 1:25 remaining in the third period, giving the Edmundston Blizzard a 4-3 victory on Thursday night over the West-Kent Steamers in front of 703 spectators at the J.K. Irving Centre in Grand-Bouctouche.
The Blizzard takes a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastlink North division semi-final series of the Metalfab MHL Cupand will look to sweep the series on Saturday (7:30 p.m.) at the Jean-Daigle Centre.
Although the Blizzard dominated in virtually every aspect of the game, the Steamers hung on thanks to the brilliance of their goaltender Xavier Farrah, who repeatedly repelled the Blizzard players’ repeated attacks.
The Steamers struck early in the game, surprising goaltender Cédric Massé with back-to-back shots, forcing him to concede twice on the first two attempts. Olivier Leblanc (at 2:18) and Zachary Boudreau (at 3:31) found the back of the net early in the first period. The Blizzard quickly responded through Charles-Éric Tremblay at 6:53.
The Blizzard tied the game at 9:11 of the second frame thanks to a goal by Émile Fournier, who hit the puck like a baseball player to beat goalie Farrah.
In the third period, the men in blue were all over the ice. The Steamers offered little resistance, except for Farrah, who had a standout period. West-Kent, however, showed signs of life at 14:42 when the Blizzard’s nemesis this season, Austin Sanchez, picked up a rebound to beat Massé. The Blizzard didn’t seem fazed and got back on track. Their efforts paid off, and it was Justin Trottier who, with persistence, put the puck past the goalie at 16:20 to tie the game.
With the score tied 3-3, the Blizzard had no intention of waiting until overtime to deliver the knockout blow to their rivals. Defenseman Zachary Robichaud, who was undoubtedly the most dominant player of the night, skated toward the net from the opposing blue line and, despite a tight angle, took his time and lifted the puck into the net’s top corner. With 1:25 remaining, the Blizzard took the lead for the first time in the game. A real slap in the face…
The Blizzard fired 40 shots on the Steamers’ net, while the Steamers hit Massé 26 times.
Robichaud (1st, 1 goal, 1 assist), William Labranche (2nd, 1 assist), and Dawson Grandy (3rd, 2 assists) were named the game’s stars.
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Photo
Zachary Robichaud was on fire Thursday night, launching a series of attacks that led to the game-winning goal at 18:35 of the third period. Photo archives Percy Picard.
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Source: Hugues Chiasson, communications – Edmundston Blizzard (506) 253-7741