Liam Leonard (7) had a great game for the Blizzard with two goals and one assist. On this picture, he takes the face-off against Riley Smith of the Western Capitals in the second period of Saturday night’s game. Photo Olivier Chiasson
Unlike the four games of the previous series, the Edmundston Blizzard put a lot of pressure from the start of the first period, scoring the first goal from Liam Leonard, at 9:20. Cam Roberts tied the game at 15:05. The Blizzard outshot the Capitals 20-5.
The Blizzard continued its run in the second frame with two quick goals at 7:39 (Vincent Rioux) and 9:03 (Leonard’s second goal). The visitors replied at 9:58 and 13:47 with the goals of Brodie MacArthur and Jesse Annear. Both teams were tied 3-3 after 40 minutes.
The Blizzard took back the lead at 4:16 of the third tanks to Gabriel Vanier. Then, at 9:45, MacArthur got his second marker of the night to tie it up. Chaddock’s goal in the last minute had a chilling effect on the record crowd of 2,803 noisy spectators. It was the only time the Western Capitals took the lead in the game.
MacArthur scored twice on the power play. The two teams clash again on Easter Sunday at 7:30 pm at the Jean-Daigle Centre. Ryan Salvis’ squad will have to be more disciplined and avoid the penalty box against the league’s best power play team this season.
Capitals goaltender Alex Bishop received 46 shots and Myles Hektor 24.
The game was very intense and the spectators remained at the tip of their seats for the entire evening. Observers were predicting a very close series and everyone had a great show on Saturday night.
MacArthur (1st, 2g, 1a), Annear (2nd, 1g, 1a) and Leonard (3rd, 2g, 1a) were chosen the stars of the game.
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone