EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – Jérémy Fortin put on quite a show before a crowd of 2,170 spectators at the Jean-Daigle Centre in Edmundston on Friday night.
The 19-year-old Rivière-du-Loup native scored the first hat trick of his career when he led the Edmundston Blizzard to a spectacular 8-5 triumph over the Fredericton Red Wings. With no surprise, Fortin earned the game’s first star.
The meeting was shaping up to be a low-scoring affair, with both teams unable to get on the scoreboard in the first 20 minutes. But the fireworks started early in the second period and never ended.
The Red Wings seemed to have some control, with the size advantage and experienced players in Junior A hockey. They led 4-3 after a crazy second period. Except that the Blizzard could count on four balanced attacking units and a stamina that made all the difference in the last twenty minutes.
Félix Bédard (second star) once again showed his offensive prowess with two goals, including the winner, and an assist. Ryan Loveless (1g, 1a), Tim Porter (third star) and Philippe Collette in an empty cage also scored for the Blizzard, who took their record to six wins and one loss. William Schofield also did well with two assists.
The Wings (2-2-1-0) replied with goals from Mathieu Pelletier (1g, 1a), Slava Melikov (1g, 1a), Cam Thomson, Alex Roode and Salem Johnson.
The Blizzard had a 35-30 advantage in the shots column. The Blizzard’s September Player of the Month and MHL Goalie of the Month, Nicholas Sheehan, faced Sebastian Lever. It wasn’t a great night for the two goalkeepers, statistically speaking, but they often had nothing to reproach themselves for when it came to sharp opposing shots. Some nights are just like that…
Simon Olivier’s men will be back on the road on Saturday (7 p.m.) when they take on the Miramichi Timberwolves (3-1-0-0), who suffered their only setback this season at the hands of the Blizzard.
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Photo
Jérémy Fortin was dominant on Friday at the Jean-Daigle Centre with three goals. Photo archives Percy Picard
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Source: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone