EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – The Edmundston Blizzard will continue its title defense in a new series against the Chaleur Lightning, who swept the Grand-Sault Rapids in five games.
The Metalfab MHL Cup Eastlink North Division final series kicks off on Tuesday, March 31 at the Jean-Daigle Centre starting at 7:30 p.m. The Blizzard holds home-ice advantage, having finished third, one point ahead of the Lightning. But is this really an advantage, given that both Chaleur and Edmundston knocked out higher-seeded teams in the first round? It’s worth noting that only three points separated the top four teams in the North Division.
In their eight regular-season matchups, the Lightning held the upper hand with five wins (including one in overtime) and three losses. Chaleur scored 32 goals and allowed 23 against Edmundston.
Chaleur won all four of its games against Edmundston at the K.C. Irving Centre in Bathurst. And the Blizzard posted three wins in four home games.
We can expect both star goalies, Jack Flanagan (Chaleur) and Cédric Massé (Edmundston), to see a lot of pucks, as these are the teams with the second- and third-best offensive records in the MHL. The Lightning has scored 227 goals to the Blizzard’s 224. However, Edmundston has allowed 28 fewer goals (168 to 196).
On offense, the top scorers from both teams will certainly be ones to watch, just as they have been in the matchups between these two teams this season. Zachary Rushton and Ben Cross each recorded 6 goals and 5 assists against the Blizzard, while William Labranche (5 goals and 6 assists) and Darien Thomson (5 goals and 5 assists) were the leading scorers against the Lightning.
In goal, Jack Flanagan brings 115 games and a championship title of experience in the MHL, plus 25 playoff games. However, he has struggled this season, compiling a 19-17-1-1 record and a 3.51 goals-against average with the Miramichi Timberwolves (3.29) and the Lightning (3.92). In six games against the Blizzard, his record is 3-3-0-0 and his goals-against average is 2.99.
Cédric Massé brings a wealth of experience, having played 61 games over three seasons, plus five playoff games, in the QMJHL. This season, Massé has played in all eight games against Chaleur and started seven of them. His record stands at 3-3-0-1. Ranked third in goals-against average (2.70) during the season, Massé was named Goaltender of the Year in the MHL. Against the Lightning this season, his goals-against average is 2.97.
The statistics for both goalies in the Chaleur-Edmundston matchups are therefore comparable. It will be the details, execution, and desire to win that are likely to make the difference in the series. A packed Jean-Daigle Centre for every game will certainly be an important factor that should give the Blizzard players a boost.
Here is the schedule for the series:
Tuesday, March 31 (7:30 p.m.) in Edmundston
Thursday, April 2 (7:00 p.m.) in Bathurst
Saturday, April 4 (7:30 p.m.) in Edmundston
Tuesday, April 7 (7:00 p.m.) in Bathurst
Thursday, April 9 (7:30 p.m.) in Edmundston (if necessary)
Saturday, April 11 (7:00 p.m.) in Bathurst (if necessary)
Wednesday, April 15 (7:30 p.m.) in Edmundston (if necessary)
Ticket Sales
Individual tickets for the games at the Jean-Daigle Centre on Tuesday, March 31, and Saturday, April 4, will go on sale online starting Wednesday, March 25, at 9:00 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at https://blizzardedmundston.ticketacces.net. Tickets will also be available on game nights at the Jean-Daigle Centre’s box office 90 minutes before the start of each game.
Season ticket holders who have purchased their playoff tickets are asked to use ticket number 3 (March 31 game) and ticket number 4 (April 4 game).
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Photo
This action shot was taken during the Chaleur Lightning’s most recent visit to the Jean-Daigle Centre on February 15. The Blizzard won the game 5–2. Photo archives Percy Picard
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone