EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – Yannic Bastarache scored a hat trick and added an assist when he led the Grand Falls Rapids to a 7-3 victory over the Edmundston Blizzard on Sunday afternoon, in front of 2 072 spectators gathered at the Jean-Daigle Centre.
The Blizzard seemed to be on the good path with a one-goal lead (3-2) in the 13th minute of play in the second period. But the Rapids took control of the game afterwards with five unanswered goals.
Dominic LeBlanc (2g, 1a), Bryce Thomson (1g, 2a) and Dominic Deschênes scored the other goals for the Rapidss (1w, 1l). Tristan Fortin participated in all three Blizzard goals with one goal and two assists. Peter Amanatidis and Jérémy Duguay also found the back of the net.
Frédéric Plourde earned the win in front of the Rapids net. He faced 31 shots. His counterpart, Samuel LeBlanc, received 30 shots.
The Blizzard took a 2-1 lead after the first period. The Rapids took matters into their own hands after 40 minutes by retreating to their dressing room with a 4-3 lead.
Yannic Bastarache (1st), Dominic LeBlanc (2nd) and Tristan Fortin (3rd) were named the three stars of the game.
Blizzard players will go back to the drawing board this week to find a way to register their first win of the season. They will also have to practice a more hermetic game in shorthanded situations. The Rapids scored four power-play goals on Sunday.
The Blizzard (0 W, 2 L) will be in action again on Friday, September 23 (7:30 p.m.) when they host the Fredericton Red Wings.
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Photo
Tristan Fortin had a great afternoon with three points. Photo Percy Picard
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone