Kyle Ward, during Blizzard’s opening game, on September 29 in Saint-Jacques. Photo Digiphoto.
On Thursday, October 5th, the team’s bus will stop in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, where the Blizzard will meet the Pictou County Weeks Crushers. The next day, Edmundston will be in Truro to face the defending MHL playoff champions Bearcats.
Furthermore, the Blizzard will again clash with the Weeks Crushers and the Bearcats next week (Tuesday and Wednesday respectively) at the MHL Showcase in Summerside featuring the league’s 12 teams.
Comparisons are inevitable between Edmundston, Pictou County and Truro. They are the last three MHL playoffs champions: Dieppe (now Edmundston) in 2015, Pictou County in 2016 and Truro in 2017. Those three teams are still among the top formations of the league. The Blizzard (5-0-0) is ranked 6th in the country, the Bearcats (5-1-0) are ranked 13th on the national scene, while the Weeks Crushers are 3-2-1 this season.
The Blizzard lives a fairy tale since the beginning of the season. The Edmundston’s skaters are aware they will have to work harder to maintain the pace.
Veteran Kyle Ward knows that all eyes are on the Blizzard. Besides, videotapes from all games of the league are available. “At 5-0, it’s certain that we are a target. We have to keep our game simple and rely on everyone. Everything clicks right now, ” said the 19-year-old captain on Wednesday, just minutes before the team’s departure to Nova Scotia.
With 12 points in five games, Ward leads the league. He is on a roll with at least a goal in each of these contests. When asked about it, he couldn’t help but smile. “Of course I’m aware of that and I will try to continue this streak while helping the team win,” said the veteran who is the only active Blizzard to have won the MHL playoffs championship with the team, back in 2015 while playing for Dieppe.
– 30 –
Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone