EDMUNDSTON, Nouveau-Brunswick – Philippe Collette put the finishing touches to a superb game of rare intensity only seen in playoff time.
At 3:05 of overtime, the Saint-Antoine forward found himself alone in front of goaltender Adam Rouleau, who he foiled with a perfect wrist shot on the blocker side, sending euphoria through the largest crowd of the season at the Jean-Daigle Centre (2,558 spectators). The Edmundston Blizzard registered an important 3-2 victory over the Miramichi Timberwolves.
Fans were treated to an exciting game featuring two goaltenders in top shape.
Both teams traded goals throughout the game. After 20 scoreless minutes, the Blizzard got on the scoreboard on a shot by defenseman Alexis Jacques (7th) at 3:56 of the second period, a shot that goaltender Adam Rouleau would like to see again. The Timberwolves answered back at 6:53 thanks to Jérémy Duhamel (13th). Before the second period ended, at 19:41, newcomer Carl-Anthony Massé scored his first Blizzard goal with a wrist shot from a good distance that fooled Rouleau.
Trailing 2-1, the Timberwolves evened the score thanks to former Blizzard Tim Porter’s 4th goal of the season.
Notwithstanding the two goals where he looked weak, Rouleau put on quite a show, making a number of prodigious saves. In all, he faced 43 shots. On the Blizzard side, Sheehan was equally solid, repelling 29 of the 31 pucks directed at him.
Collette (1st), Rouleau (2nd) and Sheehan (3rd) were named the three stars of the evening.
Both teams showed fans just how much talent they have at their disposal following the January 10 trade deadline. The game marked the debut of Carl-Antony Massé and Dominic LeBlanc for the Blizzard, and Eliott Robert, Zachaël Turgeon, Justin David, Adam Rouleau and David Doucet for the Timberwolves (18-12-2-1).
In the standings, the West Kent Steamers (25-8-2-0) maintained their three-point lead over the Blizzard, although Simon Olivier’s players have a game in hand.
The Blizzard (24-9-1-0) take on the Fredericton Red Wings (15-14-2-2) on Sunday (2 p.m.) in the provincial capital.
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Photo
Philippe Collette skillfully lifted the puck over goalie Adam Rouleau’s arm in overtime to give the Blizzard victory on Friday night. Photo Percy Picard
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone