EDMUNDSTON, N.B. – Goaltender Cédric Massé stole the show once again at the Jean-Daigle Centre on Thursday, stopping all 32 shots he faced to lead the Edmundston Blizzard to a 6-0 win over the West Kent Steamers.
The Rimouski netminder was brilliant, making a bunch of spectacular saves against the Steamers’ offense, which was constantly threatening during the first 30 minutes of the game. Then, everything fell apart for Olivier Filion’s team as the Blizzard scored four consecutive goals.
William Labranche (14th at 9:53 of the second period), Éliott Guenette (6th at 12:57), Émile Fournier (8th at 16:30), and Noah Breau (6th at 19:24) dealt a crushing blow to the Steamers’ defense and goalie Xavier Farrah.
In the third period, Nathan Crane (4th at 8:46) and Noah Breau again (7th at 19:11) completed the offensive onslaught. The Blizzard led the game in shots (33-32).
Special teams played a big role in this game. The Blizzard scored two power-play goals on four attempts and added a shorthanded goal. The Steamers failed to capitalize on five power-play opportunities.
The Steamers (11-9-3-2) suffered their second shutout loss of the season, both at the hands of Cédric Massé, who led the Blizzard to a 7-0 win in Grand-Bouctouche on October 26.
The stars went to Massé (1st), Guenette (2nd, 1g and 1a) and Labranche (3rd, 1g, 2a).
This victory allows the Blizzard (12-9-1-2) to join the Steamers in third place in the Eastlink North Division. Both teams have 27 points, but the Blizzard has played one game less. The Blizzard is just one point behind the second-place Grand Falls Rapids (13-11-2-0), with two games in hand. The Chaleur Lightning (15-9-0-0) leads the division, two points ahead of Grand Falls and three ahead of Edmundston and West Kent.
The Blizzard will return to the ice on Saturday (7:30 p.m.) when they host the Truro Bearcats (15-7-3-0). On Sunday (3 p.m.), they will visit the Campbellton Tigers (11-9-2-1).
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Photo
Goaltender Cédric Massé was once again outstanding on Thursday, stopping all 32 shots he faced against the Steamers. Massé leads the MHL in four key categories: goals-against average (2.41), save percentage (.917), wins (11), and shutouts (4). Photo Percy Picard
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Source: Hugues Chiasson, communications – Edmundston Blizzard (506) 253-7741