Logan Johnston shoots the puck between Tanner Somers’ pads with just 15 secondes remaining in the first period. Photo Digiphoto
The Edmundston Blizzard turned a 3-1 deficit into a 5-3 lead en route to a 5-4 win in the curtain-raiser of the best of seven EastLink North semi-finals against the Miramichi Timberwolves.
Logan Johnston went for another masterly performance on offense with two goals and two assists, including the winning goal at 16:58 of the third period. With a 5-3 lead, the Blizzard saw the Timberwolves come to within one goal when they scored with 21 seconds left in the game thanks to the second net of the game by Colby Tower.
The Timberwolves wasted twice a two-goal lead (2-0 and 3-1) in the first period. Johnston scored his first goal of the game at 19:45 of the first to make it 3-2.
After a scoreless but very exciting second period, the Blizzard took just 48 seconds into third to tie the score at 3 courtesy of Alexandre Bernier. Then, at 9:42, Nolan Alward gave the Blizzard a 4-3 lead by launching a devastating slap shot in the upper net which lifted the very noisy 2,779 spectators from their seat.
Alexandre Jacob (1 goal and 2 assists) is the other Blizzard who succeeded in beating the goalkeeper Tanner Somers who faced 38 shots. His counterpart Myles Hektor made key and sometimes spectacular stops. He received 42 pucks and notably closed the door on Walker Campbell during a penalty shot in the first period.
Riley Scott and Dillon Boucher scored the other two goals of the Timberwolves.
Johnston (1st), Jacob (2nd) and Alward (3rd) earned the stars of the game’s honours.
The spirits warmed up to the sound of the final siren. After a scramble, misconduct penalties were handed to Alexandre Bernier and Colby Tower. This promises for the second clash of the series that will be played Sunday at 7:30 pm at the Miramichi Civic Centre. The third meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 20th at the Jean-Daigle Centre.
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone