EDMUNDSTON, N.B. – There was a change in co-leaders at the top of the Eastlink North division of the MHL when the Grand Falls Rapids secured a 3-2 shootout win over the Edmundston Blizzard on Thursday night at the Jean-Daigle Centre.
The Blizzard had their foot on the gas throughout the first period, ending it with a 2-0 lead. François-Xavier Mercier (6th at 1:58) and Michael Arsenault (18th at 13:43) beat goalie Adam Lecours, but Rapids’ goalie shut the door for good after that, even in the shootout.
The Rapids were so shaken in the first period that they didn’t get their first shot on goal until the 13th minute of play. The Blizzard led 14-0 in shots at that time…
As the game progressed, the Rapids found their footing. After a scoreless second period, the visitors narrowed the gap in the third thanks to a sharp shot by Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (23rd) at 9:22. Grand Falls pulled their goalie with one minute left, and the strategy paid off when Bailey Shortall (12th) tied the game with 26 seconds remaining.
Overtime failed to produce a winner, even though the Blizzard enjoyed a two-minute 4-on-3 power play. In the shootout, Coen Miller ended the game by beating Cédric Massé.
Both goalies delivered outstanding performances and stole the show. Lecours and Massé faced 31 shots each.
Lecours (1st), Massé (2nd), and Miller (3rd) were named the stars of the game, which was played in front of 2,346 fans.
The Blizzard (28-15-3-3 = 62 pts) remains in first place, now tied with the Rapids (28-15-5-1 = 62 pts), but with 24 regulation wins compared to Grand Falls’ 20 give the Blizzard the lead. Both teams have only three games left to play before the end of the season. With one game in hand, West Kent (61 pts) could overtake them. Edmundston, Grand Falls, and West Kent are all in action on Friday night, and the standings could change again. And let’s not forget Chaleur, which has 59 points and is only three points behind the leaders.
The top four teams in the North Division will be in action on Friday, February 27. The Blizzard visits the Campbellton Tigers (15-25-6-2), Grand Falls hosts Chaleur, and Yarmouth faces West Kent in Grand Bouctouche.
– 30 –
Photo
First to take the shot for the Rapids in the shootout, Jonah Leard is frustrated by Cédric Massé. Photo by Percy Picard.
– 30 –
Source: Hugues Chiasson, communications – Edmundston Blizzard (506) 253-7741