EDMUNDSTON, N.B. – Twenty-four hours after its setback in Grand Falls, the Blizzard bounced back in style with a 6-4 win over the Pictou County Weeks Crushers on Saturday night in front of another large crowd of 2,349 at the Jean-Daigle Centre.
This was the first game between the two rivals, who faced off in the MHL Metalfab Cup final during the last playoffs.
Unlike the night before, the Blizzard took control of the game in the first period, building a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes of play.
Émile Fournier (3rd) opened the scoring 40 seconds into the game, followed by Noah Breau (3rd) at 5:56. The Weeks Crushers responded at 10:43 with a goal by Clint MacLaughlin (4th), but Darien Thomson restored the home team’s two-goal lead with his 8th of the season at 12:36.
The Crushers (6-4-1-0) wasted no time in evening the score in the second period. Matthew McDonald (4th at 1:38) and MacLaughlin (5th at 6:29) with his second goal of the night scored to make it 3-3. The Blizzard showed their strength of character by scoring three consecutive goals, courtesy of Éliott Guénette (2nd at 8:46), Samuel Cloutier (1st at 11:09 and game-winner) and Thomson (9th and 2nd of the game at 18:05). After 40 minutes, the Blizzard led 6-3.
In the third period, only Brennan O’Donnell (3rd) managed to score for the Weeks Crushers, who conceded defeat 6-4.
The Blizzard had its best performance of the season on power plays, scoring three goals on seven attempts.
Goaltender Cédric Massé once again had a strong start in front of the Blizzard net, stopping several threatening attacks. He faced 33 shots compared to 39 for his opponent, Yianni Karkoulas.
Thomson (1st), Fournier (2nd), and William Labranche (2a, 3rd) were named the stars of the game. Labranche made his return to the Blizzard after being called up by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the QMJHL, where he played five games and collected two assists.
The Blizzard (6-6-0-1) will play its next two games on the road, next Saturday in Miramichi and the following day in Grand-Bouctouche against West Kent.
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Photo
In this photo, Darien Thomson fires a sharp shot into the top corner of the net to score the Blizzard’s sixth goal on Saturday at the Jean-Daigle Centre. Photo Percy Picard
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Source: Hugues Chiasson, communications – Edmundston Blizzard (506) 253-7741