CAMPBELLTON, New Brunswick – Darien Thomson, the Edmundston Blizzard’s first pick (6th overall in the MHL) in the June 15 draft, made a name for himself in his first game in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League at the Campbellton Civic Centre on Friday.
The 17-year-old Fredericton forward capitalized on a rebound from Edmundston native Alex Thibault at 8:57 of the second period to score Blizzard’s third and winning goal as he helped his new team defeat the Campbellton Tigers, 5-2. Not bad for the two teammates, who were recalled from the Fredericton Caps midget AAA team for this match-up. Thibault’s second effort on the sequence set up Thomson’s historic goal.
And to cap an unforgettable evening, Thomson was named the game’s first star.
Jérémy Ste-Marie and Philippe Collette led the Blizzard (10-4-0-0) on the offense with a goal and an assist each. Peter Amanatidis and Félix Bédard (2nd star) also shook the ropes for Edmundston.
Kiefer Lyons and Jack Brown were the scorers for the Tigers (5-7-1-0).
Samuel LeBlanc had one of his best games of the season in front of the Blizzard cage. He made 31 saves. His counterpart, Braxton Castagno (3rd star), was very effective with 34 blocked shots.
The Tigers took a 1-0 lead midway through the first period. However, the Blizzard responded with two goals 52 seconds apart (at 14:59 and 15:51) to take a lead they always managed to maintain.
Had it not been for the brilliance of goalkeeper Castagno, Edmundston players could certainly have scored a more decisive victory.
The Blizzard players will spend the night at the hotel and return to the ice Saturday evening (7 p.m.) at the Miramichi Civic Centre to take on the Miramichi Timberwolves, ranked 6th in the country with an 8-2-0-0 record.
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Photo
First game, first goal, winning goal, first star. What more could Darien Thomson ask for! (Percy Picard training camp photo archives)
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone