EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – Goalkeeper Francis Asselin repelled 46 shots when he led the Edmundston Blizzard to a 5-1 win over the Miramichi Timberwolves on Sunday afternoon before a crowd of 2,782 spectators at the Jean-Daigle Centre.
In this final game of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League, the Timberwolves had to win the game to qualify for the playoffs. But they hit a wall in Francis Asselin who is resolutely ready for the ‘real’ season. The Timberwolves failed to make the playoffs.
Newcomer Ben Lightbody was brilliant once again by scoring Blizzard’s first two goals of the game including the winning one. He was selected the first start of the contest. For the young sensation from Fredericton, this is a fourth goal in two games with his new team. And a second winning goal in a row. Difficult to ask for more!
Sam King (1g, 1a), Aaron Brown (1g, 1a), Jean-Maxime Bond (1g) and Maxime Grandmaison (2a) also contributed to the Blizzard attack who completes the regular season with a record of 26 wins, 17 losses, six overtime defeats and one shootout loss for 59 points. Miramichi (19-28-3, 41pts) finished fifth, two points behind the St. Stephen Aces. Johnny Foley was the only scorer of the Timberwolves who dominated 47-41 in shots.
Here are the playoffs matchups. In the EastLink North division, the Summerside Western Capitals (82pts – 1st) will face the St. Stephen Aces (43pts – 4th) and the Campbellton Tigers (68pts – 2nd) will play against the Edmundston Blizzard (59pts, 3rd). In the EastLink South division, the Yarmouth Mariners (77pts – 1st) will clash with the Truro Bearcats (53pts, 4th) while the Amherst Ramblers (75pts – 2nd) will compete against the South Shore Lumberkacks (57pts – 4th).
The Blizzard-Tigers best of seven semifinal series will take off Friday at 7 pm in Campbellton. All games will be played every two days by changing rinks each time. The games in Campbellton will all be played at 7 pm and those in Edmundston at 7:30 pm.
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Photo
Francis Asselin was once again spectacular by blocking nearly 98% of Timberwolves’ shots on Sunday. Photo Digiphoto archives
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell