BERNWICK, N. S. –William Labranche’s put on quite a show in Berwick, Nova Scotia, as the talented forward scored four goals to lead the Edmundston Blizzard to a 5-2 win over the Valley Wildcats on Friday, September 26.
The Blizzard snapped out of a four-game losing streak.
Edmundston wasted no time in taking control of the game, scoring three goals in the first period. The goals were scored on the power play (Labranche, his third), shorthanded (François-Xavier Mercier, his second, on a breakaway), and at even strength (Labranche, his fourth).
Labranche made it 4-0 at 5:00 of the second period with his third goal of the game.
The Wildcats showed their teeth in the third period, scoring two quick goals at 3:59 (Drew Lutz, 5th) and 5:19 (Aidan Bent, 2nd). With a 4-2 lead, the Blizzard felt the pressure mounting, but the man with the magic hands, William Labranche, completely outplayed goalie Cohen Stoddard at 15:45 to score his fourth goal of the game and his sixth of the season. The forward from Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Québec, became the seventh player in Blizzard history to score four goals in a game.
Darien Thomson had two assists in the victory, which was witnessed by 424 spectators at the Kings Mutual Century Centre.
Goaltender Rylan Benner was the other star of the game, making save after save that left the Wildcats players speechless on numerous occasions. The Moncton netminder faced 37 shots, compared to 39 for his opponent.
The Blizzard (2-3-0-1) will play their third straight road game when they travel to Yarmouth on Saturday (7 p.m.) to face the Mariners (2-2-0-0).
NOTES: Other Blizzard players to score four goals in a game are Sam King (October 9, 2018), Chrystopher Collin (December 18, 2019), Tristan Fortin (September 30, 2021), Olivier Coulombe (March 14, 2024), Philippe Collette (March 14, 2025 in the playoffs), and Jérémy D’Astous (February 2, 2025).
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Photo
William Labranche was on fire Friday, scoring four goals. Photo Percy Picard
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Source: Hugues Chiasson, communications – Edmundston Blizzard (506) 253-7741