EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – The Grand Falls Rapids took advantage of their scoring chances to triumph over the Edmundston Blizzard in the shootout on Sunday at the Jean-Daigle Centre in front of 2,644 persons.
After taking a 2-0 lead following goals from Chrystopher Collin (32nd) and Paul Leroux (11th), the Blizzard saw the Rapids bounce back with two goals in the middle frame to tie the game. Tyler Browning (2nd) and Matthew MacKay (10th) beat goalkeeper Marc-Antoine Bérubé-Jalbert. Before the second ended, Evan White scored his third goal of the campaign giving the lead back to the Blizzard.
The Rapids (13-23-2-3) scored twice in 1 minute and 12 seconds in the third to grab a 4-3 lead thanks to Matthew MacKay (11th) and Drew Toner (10th). Mitchell McLeod (12th) lifted the Jean-Daigle Centre’s crowd by tying the score at 4.
No goals were scored in the five-minute overtime. In the shootout, Nash Smith’s goal made the difference during the 4thround. Goalkeeper Nolan Boyd stole the show throughout the game and was named the first star. The Blizzard dominated 43-29 in shots.
The shootout sessions have definitely not proven to be a good asset for the Blizzard this season. Edmundston has won only one game under such circumstances in seven attempts this year. The consolation is that the shootout is not used to decide a game winner during the playoffs.
Two team records were broken by Blizzard players during the game. Chrystopher Collin became the top scorer in a season with a 32nd goal, passing Kyle Ward (31 in 2017-2018) and Gabriel Vanier (31 in 2018-2019). With an assist, Brock McLeod smashed the former 71-point mark established by Logan Johnston last season.
The Blizzard (27-8-1-6) ended a five-game home streak with a 4-0-0-1 record. Curiously, the team scored four goals in each of these five games. The next three games for Edmundston will take place on the road. First stop: Pictou County on February 6 at 7 p.m.
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Photo
Goalkeeper Nolan Boyd had a great game between the pipes for the Rapids. Photo Percy Picard
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone