EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – Veteran Drew Toner is definitely having his best games against the Edmundston Blizzard.
After sending the game into overtime with his tying goal with 1:25 remaining in the third period, Toner completed his hat trick at 3:33 left in OT, leading the Grand Falls Rapids to a 5-4 win on Sunday and a second victory in the weekend exhibition games against the Blizzard.
The game was quite identical as Friday’s matchup, with the Rapids dominating the first half of the game and the Blizzard getting the edge in the second half.
Nick Abbott and Nash Smith scored the Rapids’ first two goals. Joshua Nadeau, twice, Isaac Chapman (1g, 2a) and Mitchell McLeod (1g, 1a) found the back of the net for the Blizzard.
The score was even 1-1 after the first period. The visitors took a 3-2 lead after the second frame. The Blizzard seemed to be heading towards victory by scoring two quick goals at 16:56 (Nadeau’s 2nd) and 17:09 (McLeod) late in the third period to give themselves a 4-3 lead. But Toner came to spoil the party afterwards.
The Rapids shot 37 times against Antoine Lyonnais. His opposite, Nolan Boyd, received 35 shots from the Blizzard.
Edmundston will play its last two preseason games next weekend against the Fredericton Red Wings. On Friday, the Blizzard will be in the provincial capital. On Sunday, the two teams will meet at the Jean-Daigle Centre in Edmundston.
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Photo
Joshua Nadeau continues to establish himself as an impact player. Sunday, at the Jean-Daigle Centre, he scored two goals against the Rapids. Photo Percy Picard.
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, Edmundston Blizzard vice-president communications; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone