EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – Hockey fans were treated to another thrilling game at the Jean-Daigle Centre on Thursday evening, when the Edmundston Blizzard defeated the West Kent Steamers 5-4 in overtime.
Philippe Collette and Alexis Chénard went on a 2-on-1 counter-attack, with the Steamers defenseman without a stick. Chénard made a sharp pass to Collette (14th), who shook the ropes to give Blizzard the win exactly two minutes into overtime.
Rimouski native Chénard scored his 1st MHL goal with a sharp shot in the first period. This goal was kind of the wake-up call for the Blizzard (23-3-1-0) who had been stunned by two quick goals a few minutes earlier.
After taking a 2-0 lead on goals from Dylan Andrews (11th) and Jérémy Thériault (2nd), the Steamers saw the Blizzard score four unanswered goals, from Chénard (1st), Collette (13th), Émile Fournier (17th) and Darien Thomson (5th).
West Kent closed the gap to 4-3 following Brandon Clarke’s 5th goal of the season at 17:55 of the middle frame. Mathis Tarani (6th) tied the score 4-4 at 13:10 of the third.
With two goals, Collette was named first star of the evening. With a goal and an assist, Chénard earned second star honors. The third star went to Dylan Andrews of the Steamers.
Carl-Anthony Massé had an excellent game, earning an assist on the first three goals for the Blizzard, who outshot the Steamers 35-28. Olivier Dallaire was in front of the Steamers’ cage. Sawyer Russell was credited with his third win in as many games in front of the Blizzard net. In fact, Russell hasn’t lost a game this season. Before coming to Edmundston, he had a perfect five-game winning streak with the Trenton Golden Hawks of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, who are the number one team in the Canadian rankings.
Simon Olivier’s men are back in action on Friday, when they travel to Fredericton to take on the Red Wings, who have a 6-16-0-1 record.
– 30 –
Photo
Alexis Chénard can’t contain his joy after scoring his first MHL goal at 8:49 of the first period. Photo Percy Picard
– 30 –
Source: Hugues Chiasson, responsable des communications – Le Blizzard d’Edmundston ; 506 740-0623 – (tél. cell.)