EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – Linemates Justin Hébert, Philippe Collette and Émile Fournier were red hot around the Fredericton Red Wings net as they collected seven goals and three assists to give the Edmundston Blizzard a convincing 9-1 win at the Jean-Daigle Centre on Friday.
Hébert settled Red Wings’ case in the first period with a hat trick. It was the first time in Blizzard history that a player had scored three goals in the opening frame. The Shippagan forward was quick off the mark, accomplishing the feat in a 9:24 span.
Hébert scored his 14th, 15th and 16th goals of the campaign. He also added an assist. His linemate Philippe Collette also had a four-point night notching two goals (18th and 19th) and two assists. As for Émile Fournier, he found the back of the net for his 22nd and 23rd goals of the season.
Jérémy Fortin (10th) and Mathieu Pigeon (5th and an assist) also shook the ropes. Will Allen and Carl-Anthony Massé contributed two assists each.
Despite only facing 22 shots, goaltender Frédéric Cousineau was very solid in front of the Blizzard cage. He conceded just once, on a deflected shot that gave him no chance. Defenseman Aidan Brewer (2nd) denied him a shutout.
The Blizzard (26-3-1-1) unleashed 42 shots on the visitors’ net. Zachary Bridgeo stepped aside after conceding eight goals. Mathieu Mongrain relieved him in front of the Wings (7-20-1-1) cage.
Unsurprisingly, the three stars of the evening went to Hébert (1st), Collette (2nd) and Fournier (3rd).
The Blizzard take on the Amherst Ramblers on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Jean-Daigle Centre. Second in the Eastlink South division, the Ramblers (17-9-1-0) suffered a 5-1 loss to the Grand Falls Rapids on Friday night.
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Photo
Justin Hébert scored his second career hat trick in a Blizzard uniform. Number 8 scored three times in the first period on Friday. Photo Percy Picard
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Source: Hugues Chiasson, responsable des communications – Le Blizzard d’Edmundston ; 506 740-0623 – (tél. cell.)