EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – The arrival of spring proved salutary for the Edmundston Blizzard, who won the ever-important third game of their series by a score of 7-3 over the Miramichi Timberwolves on Thursday evening at the Jean-Daigle Centre.
Inspired by captain Philippe Collette’s goal and two assists, the Blizzard took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven semi-final series of the Eastlink North Division of the Metalfab MHL Cup.
Carl-Anthony Massé (1g, 1a), Will Carroll (1g, 1a), Émile Fournier (winning goal and 1a), Will Allen (1g), Marco Martin (1g) and Mathieu Pigeon (1g) also scored for the Blizzard. Jérémy D’Astous picked up two assists for the winners.
For the Timberwolves, Justin David (1g, 2a) and Jacob Lafontaine (3a) contributed to every goal. Cael MacDonald and Drew MacIntyre scored the other goals for the defending playoff champions.
Curiously, the game was a near-copy of Sunday’s encounter in Miramichi, this time in favor of the Blizzard. The first eight goals of these two games were scored in the same sequence for both teams, but in reverse. On Sunday, the goals were scored this way: MIR-EDM-MIR in 1st period, then MIR-MIR-MIR in 2nd period, and EDM-EDM-EDM-EDM-EDM-MIR in 3rd period, before Miramichi sealed the outcome with a 7-6 win in 2nd overtime. On Thursday, it was the complete opposite: EDM-MIR-EDM in 1st period, then EDM-EDM-EDM in 2nd period, and MIR-MIR-EDM-EDM.
Philippe Collette (1st), Émile Fournier (2nd) and Justin David (3rd) were named stars of the game.
The Blizzard had a 34-30 advantage in the shots column. Trailing 5-1, Timberwolves starting goalie Jack Flanagan gave way to Mathis Lafontaine. Frédéric Cousineau earned the win in front of the Blizzard cage.
The series travels to Miramichi on Saturday (7 p.m.) for Game 4. Both teams return to Edmundston the following day, Sunday (7:30 p.m.).
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Photo
Philippe Collette shows his excitement after scoring Blizzard’s second goal on a breakaway. Photo Percy Picard
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Source: Hugues Chiasson, communications co-ordinator – Edmundston Blizzard – 506 740-0623 – (cell.)