EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – A two-goal surge in the third period helped the Chaleur Lightning secure a crucial victory and avoid being pushed to the brink as they defeated the Edmundston Blizzard 5-4, Saturday night at the Jean-Daigle Centre in front of 2,759 fans—the largest (and loudest) crowd of the year, including both the regular season and the playoffs.
It was certainly the most thrilling game of this Metalfab MHL Cup Eastlink North Division final series, which the Blizzard now leads 2-1.
Goaltenders Jack Flanagan of the Lightning (1st star) and Cédric Massé of the Blizzard (2nd star) stole the show in this matchup, which featured 40 shots for Chaleur and 36 for Edmundston.
With the score tied 3-3 after 40 minutes of play, Zachary Rushton (4th, at 5:28) gave the visitors the lead. Then, Will Carroll (1st, at 14:52) came back to haunt his former team, scoring what would turn out to be the game-winning goal. But with the goalie pulled, William Labranche, with his second of the game and eighth of the playoffs, reignited hope for the Blizzard at 17:34. Flanagan then held off the Edmundston players’ attacks to secure a first win for the Lightning.
Sam Rocca (2nd and 3rd, 1 assist) was named the third star of the night. David Lebel (4th) was the other Chaleur player to find the back of the net.
Michael Arsenault (6th) and François-Xavier Mercier (3rd) also scored for the Blizzard.
Game 4 of the series will be played on Tuesday, April 7 (7 p.m.) at the K.C. Irving Centre in Bathurst.
Here is the series schedule:
Tuesday, March 31: Chaleur 3 at Edmundston 6
Thursday, April 2: Edmundston 4 at Chaleur 2
Saturday, April 4: Chaleur 5 at Edmundston 4
Tuesday, April 7 (7 p.m.) in Bathurst
Thursday, April 9 (7:30 p.m.) in Edmundston
Saturday, April 11 (7 p.m.) in Bathurst (if necessary)
Wednesday, April 15 (7:30 p.m.) in Edmundston (if necessary)
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Photo
William Labranche (79) scored his second goal of the game on this shot, cutting the deficit to 5-4. The Blizzard, however, lost on Saturday at the Jean-Daigle Centre. Photo by Percy Picard
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone