EDMUNDSTON, N.B. – Thanks to a four-goal surge in the third period, the Edmundston Blizzard defeated the Miramichi Timberwolves 8-3 on Friday night at the Jean-Daigle Centre, moving ahead of the Chaleur Lightning into second place in the Eastlink North Division of the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL).
The Blizzard has now qualified for the playoffs. In fact, the outcome of the Timberwolves-Blizzard game was less important because Edmundston’s qualification was confirmed 30 minutes before the end of the game in Edmundston due to the Campbellton Tigers’ loss to the Grand Falls Rapids, who earned their first-ever playoff berth in the MHL.
William Labranche (28th and 29th, 1a) once again led the Blizzard offense with three points, as did Michael Arsenault (16th, 2a) and Michael Derbidge (8th, 2a). Three players had a goal and an assist: Darien Thomson (36th), Noah Larochelle (16th), and Lucas Fortin (4th). Justin Trottier (11th) scored the Blizzard’s eighth goal.
Brayden Campbell (12th), James Martin (1st), and Dawson Peverelle (7th) scored the goals for the Timberwolves (14-27-2-1) against Olivier St-Onge, who faced 29 shots. His counterpart Samuel Carreiras-Pata received 44 shots from the Blizzard (26-15-2-2), who have won their last five games.
Labranche (1st), Derbidge (2nd) and Fortin (3rd) were named the stars of the game, which was played in front of 2,390 spectators.
While the four teams in the Eastlink North division are now guaranteed a spot in the postseason, the battle between them remains fierce. West Kent (57 points) leads the way with a game in hand over Edmundston (56 points), Chaleur (55 points), and Grand Falls (54 points). West-Kent has eight games left to play before the end of the season, compared to seven for the three teams chasing them.
Edmundston and Chaleur will face off on Sunday, February 15, at 3 p.m. at the Jean-Daigle Centre in another exciting matchup.
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Photo
Defenseman Lucas Fortin had a strong game with a goal and an assist. Scoring his fourth goal of the season, his last one came on October 4. Photo by Percy Picard.
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Source: Hugues Chiasson, communications – Edmundston Blizzard (506) 253-7741