Truro, N.S. – Goaltender Olivier St-Onge won’t soon forget his first start in the MHL playoffs.
On Monday night, he shut down every attack—making some spectacular saves along the way—to lead the Blizzard to a 4-0 victory over the Truro Bearcats in the opening game of the best-of-seven Metalfab MHL Cup final series.
The Edmundston-native goaltender has a knack for impressing whenever he’s called upon in a pivotal moment. Last year, in his very first MHL game, he shut out the Valley Wildcats by the same 4-0 score on October 10, 2024. He faced only 14 shots. This time, he stopped all 38 pucks directed at him.
Until late in the second period, he held the fort brilliantly just as his teammates’ offense turned into a veritable blizzard. In just 4 minutes and 4 seconds, the Blizzard literally overwhelmed the Truro Bearcats’ defense with four unanswered goals. At 16:12 of the second period, Alex Thibault (1st) scored the goal that proved to be the winner, followed at 17:20 by goals from Eliott Guenette (4th) and, at 19:32, Noah Larochelle (6th). As if that shock treatment wasn’t enough, the Blizzard stunned their opponents through their captain, Émile Fournier, who made it 4-0 just 16 seconds into the third period.
Although the Bearcats had plenty of chances to bounce back thanks to the Blizzard’s generosity—which resulted in seven penalty kills—St-Onge stood firm. He earned the first star of the game right off the bat.
The Blizzard were outshot 38-28. Louca Connolly was in goal for the Bearcats.
On offense, Noah Larochelle was the only player to record two points (1G, 1A), earning him the second star. Alex Thibault received the third star.
The series continues Tuesday night (7 p.m.) at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre. Here is the schedule for the Metalfab MHL Cup Final:
Truro Bearcats vs. Edmundston Blizzard
Game 1 – Monday, April 20, 7 p.m. – Blizzard 4, Truro 0
Game 2 – Tuesday, April 21, 7 p.m. – Rath Eastlink Community Centre
Game 3 – Friday, April 24, 7:30 p.m. – Jean-Daigle Centre
Game 4 – Saturday, April 25, 7:30 p.m. – Jean-Daigle Centre
Game 5 – Monday, April 27, 7:00 p.m. – Rath Eastlink Community Centre *
Game 6 – Wednesday, April 29, 7:30 p.m. – Jean-Daigle Centre *
Game 7 – Friday, May 1, 7:00 p.m. – Rath Eastlink Community Centre *
*if necessary
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Photo
Olivier St-Onge was flawless on Monday in Truro, stopping 38 shots. This photo shows him in action during the second playoff game of the series against West-Kent on March 17, in which he played the final 5 minutes and 42 seconds of the game. Photo archives Percy Picard
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone