EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – More than eight months after the long and forced break, the Maritime Hockey League teams are finally back in action this weekend.
The first games of the regular season will be played today. The Edmundston Blizzard will kick off its 4th season since they joined the league by visiting the Fredericton Red Wings. The puck will drop on the ice tonight at 7 pm.
The Blizzard will play its first home game at the Jean-Daigle Centre on Sunday, November 1st at 3 pm against the Miramichi Timberwolves.
The Edmundston team has had success in each of its first three seasons. At the first season at the helm in 2019-2020, Emery Olauson guided his squad to a record-breaking season with 77 points (34-9-1-8). The Blizzard finished second overall, 10 points behind the Summerside Western Capitals (42-7-1-2).
The schedule will drop from 52 to 40 games due to the pandemic that has delayed the opening of the season.
Blizzard fans got a taste of their favorite team’s strength in the four exhibition games they took part in. After losing twice to the Grand Falls Rapids, Olauson’s squad rebounded with two straight wins, the last of which was a very convincing 7-1 victory over Fredericton.
Speed, well-balanced lines, offensive punch, rejuvenated but very solid defense, experienced goalkeepers, these are some of the great assets of the 2020-2021 Blizzard.
During the weekend games, named “Honda MHL Thank You Week,” MHL players will wear jerseys that will pay tribute to the front-line workers who have contributed to keep us safe and healthy. The Blizzard will highlight the courage of these essential workers during the home game on Sunday. The 22 player jerseys will then be auctioned.
Let the action begin!
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Photo
Red Wings and Blizzard will face off in Fredericton tonight in the opening game of the 2020-2021 season. Photo Percy Picard.
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, Edmundston Blizzard vice-president communications; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone