EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – In a game-winner worthy of the greatest Hollywood scripts, Dominic LeBlanc disguised himself as Robin Hood to literally “steal” victory from the Fredericton Red Wings on Tuesday at the Jean-Daigle Centre.
Contained throughout the evening by a more airtight Wings defense, the Edmundston Blizzard won 2-1 in overtime to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastlink North semi-final series of the Metalfab MHL Cup. The pace of the game was in stark contrast to the previous two, which saw Edmundston win comfortably 10-2 and 7-1.
Following goaltender Nicholas Sheehan’s withdrawal in favor of a sixth player, Dominic LeBlanc (4th) tied the game 1-1 with 17.7 seconds remaining in the third period. Then, at 3:50, on a power play, LeBlanc (5th) brought the crowd to its feet with a sharp one-timer to give Simon Olivier’s team an important win as they look to end the series on Thursday (7 p.m.) in Fredericton.
After a scoreless period, the Red Wings opened the scoring at 18:29 thanks to the redoubtable Carter McCluskey (2nd). The Wings thought they’d return to Fredericton trailing 2-1 in the series, but the Blizzard decided otherwise. A heartbreaking defeat for the reds.
LeBlanc (1st) and goalkeepers Sheehan (2nd) and Yacine Chemrouk (3rd) earned the game’s stars. The Blizzard dominated 41-21 in the shots column.
The Blizzard extended its home winning streak to 20 games (18 on the season and 2 in the playoffs). Its last setback at the Jean-Daigle Centre was more than four months ago (November 17, 2023).
Of the 356 games played by the Blizzard since its transfer to Edmundston, none has been won in such spectacular fashion. Never before has the Blizzard forced overtime so late in the third period and then won. Over the past seven years, a total of 59 games (47 in the season and 12 in the playoffs) involving the Blizzard have required overtime.
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Photo
Alexis Jacques jumps into the arms of Dominic LeBlanc (18) after he gave the Blizzard the overtime win on Tuesday. Photo Percy Picard
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone