MIRAMICHI, New Brunswick – The Edmundston Blizzard won their 12th straight game for the second time this season when they easily took care of the MHL’s top offense, the Miramichi Timberwolves, with an 8-3 win on Friday night at the Miramichi Civic Centre.
Tristan Fortin (23rd and 24th with one assist) and Olivier Coulombe (47th and 48th with two assists) were the top scorers for the Blizzard (36-12-1-0) who tied their record of 36 wins in a season. They had accomplished the feat in 50 games in 2017-18. They did the same in their 49th game this season. The Blizzard have three games left in the regular season.
Patrick LeBlanc (15th and an assist), Alex Arsenault (25th) and Evan Gass (8th) scored the other Blizzard goals against Ryan Knight and Jack Flanagan. Knight was forced out of the game after conceding a fourth goal at 16:12 of the first period. Jérémy Duguay added two assists to his statistics.
Will Allen, Jérémy Duhamel and Jacob Santerre responded for the Timberwolves who outshot the Blizzard 34-29. The league’s leading scorer, Daryk Dubé-Plouffe, was reduced to nothing on Saturday, having only one assist in his last four games against Edmundston.
Thomas Boucher looked good in front of the Blizzard net to record his 19th win of the season.
The magic number for the Blizzard to officially finish in first place in their division is two. Another win for the Blizzard or a loss by the Summerside Western Capitals in regulation would confirm it.
The Blizzard will return to the ice on Thursday (7:00 p.m.) in Campbellton to face the Tigers (25-16-5-3). The Tigers share third place in the Eastlink North division with the Timberwolves.
– 30 –
Photo
Tristan Fortin has been on a roll for the last three games. He has eight points during this stretch. On Saturday, he added two goals and an assist to his record. (Photo archives Percy Picard)
– 30 –
Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone