Samuel Bastille (pictured) and his linemates, Vincent Rioux et Patrick Pellerin, have scored half of the team’s 14 goals in the past three games. Bastille plays his best hockey. Last week, he collected four points including two goals. Photo archives Digiphoto
EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – With three wins this past week, the Edmundston Blizzard has improved in Canada’s top 20 junior A hockey rankings. The Blizzard moved up three spots and is now ranked 17th and is the only Maritime Junior Hockey League team to be in the top 20. The South Shore Lumberjacks, who have suffered two defeats including one in a shootout, have been relegated to the honourable mention. Last week, South Shore was ranked 10th.
The Blizzard recorded three convincing wins, twice against Woodstock (6-3 on Wednesday and 4-0 on Friday) and Valley (4-2 on Sunday).
Edmundston has reached half of the season with an impressive record of 19 wins, 4 defeats and 2 losses in overtime. With 40 points, the Blizzard dominates the MHL overall standings, three points higher than South Shore.
The irony is that the Blizzard would already be qualified for the playoffs by comparison of last season when the 5th place team had 39 points. This season, the magic number for the Blizzard to guarantee its participation in the playoffs is 17.
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone