EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – The Summerside Western Capitals have the Edmundston Blizzard’s number after regulation time, year after year.
Thursday night, the Prince Edward Island’s representatives defeated the Blizzard 6-5 in a shootout. Like the last clashes between the two teams, the meeting was hotly contested. The Blizzard paid dearly for their indiscipline, however, allowing the visitors’ their first three goals with a man advantage. Spectators at the Jean-Daigle Centre have repeatedly expressed their dissatisfaction with the referees’ calls.
Tristan Fortin and Mitchell McLeod led the charge for the Blizzard with one goal and one assist each. The other Blue and White scorers were Mathieu Pelletier, Noah Matulu and Jérémy Fortin. The latter scored the first Maritime Junior Hockey League goal of his career at 8:59 of the third period, but the Capitals tied the game at 5-5 at 12:51.
Ed McNeill (2g, 1a), William Irvine (1g, 1a), Connor Keough and Marc Richard scored for the Western Capitals (7-1-0-0).
In the shootout, Irvine and Trentyn Crane scored for the visitors. Only Tristan Fortin managed to find the back of the net at the Blizzard in such circumstances.
It was the Capitals’ fifth shootout win over the Blizzard in 27 regular-season meetings since the 2017-18 campaign. Edmundston’s record against Summerside is 7-14-1-5 in six years. The Blizzard’s last win against the Western Capitals dates back more than three years, on September 20, 2019. Since that date, the Blizzard has suffered 13 losses in a row during regular seasons against Summerside, a record of 0-8-0-5.
The Capitals led 50-39 in shots after 65 minutes of play. Goalkeeper Simon Couroux offered a solid performance in front of the Blizzard goal. His counterpart Brandon Abbott was weak on a few goals, which allowed for a tight game.
McNeill (1st), McLeod (2nd) and Irvine (3rd) were named the game’s three stars.
The Blizzard (6-5-0-1) will return to action this upcoming Sunday in Grand Falls (3 p.m.). Next week, Thursday and Friday, they will face off against the Western Capitals in Summerside.
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Photo
Jérémy Fortin celebrates after giving the Blizzard a 5-4 lead in the third period. For the Rivière-du-Loup forward native, it was his first career goal in the MHL. Photo Percy Picard
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone