EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – An outstanding performance by goaltender Nicholas Sheehan, coupled with a sustained effort from his teammates, put the brakes on the Fredericton Red Wings’ repeated assaults, which saw the Edmundston Blizzard record a fourth straight triumph (4-1) on Saturday night at the Jean-Daigle Centre.
Sheehan was bombarded with 45 shots, including 21 in the third period. He was so brilliant that Red Wings players were still scratching their heads in amazement on their return to the provincial capital!
Peter Amanatidis picked up where he left off the day before with a goal and an assist. Injuring his arm while blocking a shot in the third period, the captain went to the dressing room to banish the pain, only to return to the bench moments later like a warrior. Philippe Collette, who continues to shine both offensively and defensively, also collected a goal and an assist. Jérémy Fortin and Noah Matulu also scored for the Blizzard (14-8-0-0).
Cam Thomson of the Red Wings (10-8-2-1) was the Red Wings’ lone scorer when he beat Sheehan at 14:31 of the opening frame. Fredericton took a 1-0 lead. But the lead was short-lived as the Blizzard tied the score 18 seconds later (Fortin’s goal). In a nick of time, at 15:23, Amanatidis scored what proved to be the winning goal.
Nicholas Sheehan then took control in the final two periods. He made a number of spectacular saves, most notably in the 13th minute of the third when he extended his pad like goalkeepers did before the butterfly style was popularized in the 1990s.
Unsurprisingly, the first star went to Sheehan. The second went to Noah Matulu, who scored a fine goal with a one-timer slap shot. The third star went to rookie Noah Breau, who picked up his first MHL point with an assist on the winning goal.
With 28 points, the Blizzard moved to within two points of the top of the Eastlink North Division occupied by the West Kent Steamers (14-6-2-0). The Miramichi Timberwolves also have 28 points, tied for second.
Edmundston and West Kent will face off in the Blizzard’s next game at the Jean-Daigle Centre on Thursday, November 30.
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Photo
Goalie Nicholas Sheehan frustrates Landon Paul on this sequence in the third period. (Photo Percy Picard)
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone