EDMUNDSTON, N.B. – The Truro Bearcats are just one win away from the Metalfab MHL Cup championship following a 4-3 victory over the Edmundston Blizzard on Saturday, in front of the season’s largest crowd (2,815 spectators) at the Jean-Daigle Centre.
The Bearcats lead 3-1 in the best-of-seven final series. They have won their last three games against the Blizzard.
First star of the game, Matthew Bolduc, recorded one goal and two assists for the winners. Samuel Vachon (3rd star, 1G, 1A), Nathan Curson (1G, 1A), and Liam Welsh scored the other goals for the Bearcats, who will look to capture their first MHL championship since the 2013-2014 season next Monday in Turo (7 p.m.).
For the Blizzard, Charles-Éric Tremblay (1G, 1A) was named the second star of the game. Defenseman Alexis Chénard also tallied two points (1G, 1A), and Lucas Fortin scored the game’s final goal at 12:19 of the second period.
The Bearcats led 2-1 after 20 minutes of play. They extended their lead to 4-1 with two quick goals to start the second period. But the Blizzard managed to cut the deficit to one goal with just under eight minutes remaining in the second period. The Bearcats’ defense then shut down the Blizzard, who will have their work cut out for them to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the series.
Louca Connolly earned the win in goal for the Bearcats, stopping 26 of 29 shots from the Blizzard. Cédric Massé faced 25 shots in goal for the Blizzard.
Here is the schedule for the Metalfab MHL Cup Final:
Game 1 – Monday, April 20 – Blizzard 4, Truro 0
Game 2 – Tuesday, April 21 – Blizzard 3, Truro 4
Game 3 – Friday, April 24 – Truro 5, Edmundston 2
Game 4 – Saturday, April 25 – Truro 4, Edmundston 3
Game 5 – Monday, April 27, 7:00 p.m. – Rath Eastlink Community Centr
Game 6 – Wednesday, April 29, 7:30 p.m. – Centre Jean-Daigle*
Game 7 – Friday, May 1, 7:00 p.m. – Rath Eastlink Community Centre *
*if necessary
Photo
Le défenseur Alexis Chénard a connu une belle soirée samedi pour le Blizzard avec son premier but en carrière lors des séries de la LHM. Photo Percy Picard
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone