EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – A tough day at the office for the Edmundston Blizzard, who lost 5-3 to the Miramichi Timberwolves on Thursday night at the Jean-Daigle Center.
While the cohesion and hard work were simply not present among the Blizzard players (11-4-1-1), the best elements of the Timberwolves (4-13-2-1) have took their game up a notch to register one of their rare wins this season.
The Blizzard took the lead 1-0 at 15:02 of the first period thanks to a goal from Mathieu Pelletier (3rd). But Blizzard’s lead in the game lasted only 2:26 when Jérémie Jacob (7th) tied the score at 17:28.
In the second frame, the Timberwolves literally knocked out the Blizzard who kind of fall asleep. Miramichi scored four goals in that middle period. Braeden MacPhee (7th and 8th) and Kennedy Gallant (4th and 5th) beat goaltender Nicholas Sheehan. Noah Gibbs (6th) also scored for the locals. The Timberwolves retired to the dressing room after 40 minutes with a comfortable 5-2 lead.
In the third, only Jérémy Duguay (7th) managed to shake the ropes, beating Morgan Kini with a sharp shot.
Gallant rounded off his dream night with four points (2g, 2a) and obviously earned the first star. Jacob (2nd star – 1g, 2a) and Jacob Santerre (3a) also had a good night for Miramichi who was playing with only 15 players and after having faced Grand-Sault the day before. Drake Flynn is by far the Blizzard who showed the most oomph. He was chosen the third star of the game.
Small consolation, Edmundston edged Miramichi 37-32 in the shots’ column.
Both teams wore orange colors in solidarity with the “Every Child Matters” cause. The game was played in partnership with the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation.
The Blizzard will need to get back on their feet quickly as they take on a strong team, the Summerside Western Capitals, Saturday (7:00 p.m.) on Prince Edward Island soil. The Capitals (16-2-0-1), second in Canada, suffered their first loss Thursday night after a 14-game winning streak, a 5-4 loss in regulation to the Amherst Ramblers.
– 30 –
Photo
Drake Flynn was the most energetic Blizzard player Thursday night, handing out several good body checks. Photo Percy Picard
– 30 –
Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone