BLIZZARD EARN 4-3 OVERTIME VICTORY OVER THE RAPIDS
EDMUNDSTON – Darien Thomson’s second goal of the game, scored at 4:11 of the overtime frame, gave the Edmundston Blizzard a 4-3 victory Saturday night over the Rapids in a game played in front of 2247 spectators at the Jean-Daigle Centre.
It was a second consecutive loss for Grand Falls in overtime, but by earning a point, they remain in second spot in the Eastlink North division standings, 2-points back of the Chaleur Lightning and 1-point ahead of the West Kent Steamers.
Edmundston’s winning goal came on a three-on-one rush into Rapids’ territory. After the Rapids failed to clear the zone, Thompson sent a one-timer past netminder Jeremy Thibbodeau-Soucy, giving the Blizzard its 14th win of the season.
The Rapids’ record now falls to 15-12-4 for 34 points.
The contest was very tight from beginning to end with both teams playing a sound defensive game. Grand Falls had a slight 32 to 29 edge in the shots on goal department.
The game was tied through twenty minutes of play on goals from Michael Derbidge (Edm) and Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (GFR), his 16th of the season.
At the 6-minute mark of the second period, while the Rapids were playing shorthanded, Patrick Baxter intercepted a pass from Blizzard goalkeeper Cedric Massé, turning around and firing the puck to the back of the net to give the Rapids a 2-1 lead.
Edmundston tied the score 2-2 at 10:32 on Darien Thomson’s first tally of the night following a rebound in front of the net.
But with under 2 minutes remaining in the period, Patrick Baxter added his second of the game and his 9th of the season while Grand Falls went on a three-on-two break.
The Blizzard tied the score 3-3 early in the third period (at 47 seconds) on a goal from Eliott Guenette.
Both teams were scoreless on the power play.
After being outshot 12 to 6 in the opening period, the Rapids came back with 26 shots, including 4 in the overtime frame.
The Rapids return to the ice on Sunday afternoon in Miramichi as they clash with the Timberwolves. Puck drop is at 4pm.
EXTRA NOTES …
*Darien Thomson (Edm) and Patrick Baxter (GFR) both led the way for their respective teams with 2 goals each.
*Both teams have split the four games played between them thus far this season. (2 wins and 2 losses).
The next matchup between the Blizzard and the Rapids will be held on January 18 in Grand Falls.
*Three stars of the game: 1- Darien Thomson (EDM); 2- Michael Derbidge (EDM); 3- Patrick Baxter (GFR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
| 1st | |||
| 6:50 | EDM | Michael Derbidge (1) ASST: None | |
| 16:53 | GFR | Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (16) ASST: Mathis Cyr (10), Reid Calder (7) | |
| 2nd | |||
| 6:22 | GFR | Patrick Baxter (8) ASST: None (SH) | |
| 10:32 | EDM | Darien Thomson (18) ASST: Michael Derbidge (1), Hayden Aubin (1) | |
| 18:46 | GFR | Patrick Baxter (9) ASST: Brody Pare (8) | |
| 3rd | |||
| 0:37 | EDM | Eliott Guenette (8) ASST: Émile Fournier (11), Noah Breau (16) | |
| 1st OT | |||
| 4:11 | EDM | Darien Thomson (19) ASST: Zachary Robichaud (14), Noah Breau (17) |