EDMUNDSTON, N.B. – The Edmundston Blizzard sent a strong message in their series against the West-Kent Steamers with a convincing 9-4 victory on Tuesday night at the Jean-Daigle Centre.
The Blizzard now holds a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastlink North division semi-final series of the Metalfab MHL Cup. The two teams will face off at the J.K. Irving Centre in Grand-Bouctouche on Thursday at 7 p.m. Game 4 will be played at the Jean-Daigle Centre on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
William Labranche and Michael Arsenault were the stars of the night, becoming the first two players to each score a hat trick in the same playoff game for the Blizzard.
François-Xavier Mercier, with two goals, and Eliott Guenette were Edmundston’s other goal scorers. Charles-Éric Tremblay (3 assists), Darien Thomson (2 assists), Justin Trottier (2 assists), Zachary Robichaud (2 assists), Alexis Chénard (2 assists), and Néka Jean (2 assists) also contributed to the offense for the home team.
Tyler Wood (1G, 1A), Pierre-Marc Minville (1G, 1A), Sam Bowness, and Olivier Leblanc found the back of the net for the Steamers. Spencer Caines recorded two assists.
The Blizzard outshot the Steamers 39-24. Cédric Massé played the first 54 minutes of the game for Edmundston before being replaced by Olivier St-Onge for the remainder of the game due to an injury that forced him to leave the game. Xavier Farrah was in goal for the Steamers.
Labranche (1st), Arsenault (2nd), and Tremblay (3rd) were named the game’s stars.
NOTES – While this marks the first time two Blizzard players have each scored a hat trick in the same playoff game, the same feat was achieved twice during the regular season: by Justin Hébert and Félix Bédard on January 4, 2024, at the Jean-Daigle Centre against Grand Falls, and by Noah Breau and Will Allen on October 24, 2024, in Pictou County… The highest number of goals ever scored in a game involving the Blizzard is 15, on March 22, 2023, when they defeated the Miramichi Timberwolves 8-7 in overtime at the Jean-Daigle Centre during the playoffs.
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Photo
Michael Arsenault (71) and William Labranche (79) had a great night on Tuesday, each scoring three goals. Photo Percy Picard.
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Source: Hugues Chiasson, communications – Edmundston Blizzard (506) 253-7741