Dany Coulombe scored the goal that allowed the Blizzard to win the first playoff series in its history on Thursday at the Miramichi Civic Centre. Photo archives Digiphoto
But this sweep was not easy by any mean. All games in the series have been tight and the Timberwolves always offered a tough battle. And interestingly and rarely accomplished, the Blizzard conceded the first goal to the opponent in each of the four games.
Dany Coulombe played the heroes scoring a spectacular goal with 3:28 left in the third period. Speed skater number 4 was coming off the penalty bench and he flew through the net to beat goalie Tanner Somers with one hand. Defenseman Dominic Hachey, who was making a comeback, collected an assist on the play.
The Timberwolves took the lead in the opening period. Chris Murphy beat Myles Hektor at 12:32 on a nice play.
The Blizzard answered back in the second with two unanswered goals, those of Logan Johnston on a blistering wrist shot and Samuel Bastille on a harmless shot from the corner of the rink that fooled Somers. The goal was strongly criticized by the Wolves head coach, claiming that the referee had whistled before the puck entered the net. When the referee announced a good goal, the coach threw a water bottle at center ice, which resulted in his eviction.
In the third period, the Timberwolves tied the game when defenseman Mitchell Kreis made it 2-2. But Coulombe came to annihilate any hope of the local team by scoring the winning goal at 16:32.
Coulombe earned the first star of the game. Goalkeeper Tanner Somers, who was solid throughout the series for the Timberwolves, was chosen the second star. And Colby Tower, of the Wolves, was the third star’s pick.
Edmundston led 31-24 in shots on goal.
The Blizzard’s organization announced that rookie forward Mathieu Blanchard of Bathurst has returned home for personal reasons. In 28 games this season with the Blizzard, he collected two goals and three assists.
– 30 –
Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone