EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – Inspired by goaltender Nicholas Sheehan perfect outing, the Edmundston Blizzard blanked the West Kent Steamers 3-0 on Friday at the Jean-Daigle Centre in the season’s inaugural game for both teams in the Maritime Hockey League’s Northern Section.
This was the first game for the Steamers, a team relocated to Grand-Bouctouche after transferring from the South Shore Lumberjacks. And the young Steamers offered exceptional resistance against the Blizzard, who struggled to finally get on the scoreboard halfway through the third period.
After more than 50 scoreless minutes, the Blizzard scored three unanswered goals in 4 minutes and 17 seconds. Who better than number 16, Jean-Christophe Coulombe (younger brother of former star Olivier Coulombe), to score the first goal of the night at 10:49. Twenty seconds later, Noah Matulu made it 2-0. Then, in a shorthanded breakaway at 15:06, Jérémy Ste-Marie broke any comeback chance for the visitors by beating goaltender Xavier Fisk.
It was a goalkeeper’s duel. Sheehan made a series of key saves. He became the first Blizzard netminder to record a shutout in a season opening game. What’s more, it was the third shutout in just 12 career games for the Moncton goaltender in a Blizzard uniform, with whom he had played 11 games in the 2021-2022 season before making the jump to the QMJHL.
Fisk also shone in front of the Steamers’ cage. He faced 45 shots to Sheehan’s 40.
The Blizzard will host the Fredericton Red Wings on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., hoping that Hurricane Lee won’t force the postponement of the game, as was the case for other weekend clashes in the MHL.
– 30 –
Photo
Nicholas Sheehan was perfect, turning away all 40 pucks thrown his way.. Photos Percy Picard
– 30 –
Source: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone