GRAND FALLS – Jean-Christophe Coulombe scored the game winning goal in the shootout frame for the Edmundston Blizzard who skated away with a 3-2 victory Wednesday night at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre in Grand Falls.
Coulombe was the second Blizzard player to score in the shootout session that lasted seven rounds.
For a while, it looked as though Tate Brenner had the winning goal to his credit for the Rapids as he broke a 1-1 tie at 9:41 of the third period. But with less than 3 minutes remaining in regulation time, Philippe Collette tied the score for Edmundston, sending the game into overtime.
Two goals were scored in the opening period, one by both teams.
Justin Hebert put the Blizzard on the board at the 4-minute mark after receiving a pass from behind the net. His shot surprised Rapids’ netminder Adam Lecours who was caught leaning the other way.
But with under two minutes remaining in the period, Tristan Sanchez sent a wrist shot from the faceoff circle that found the far side of the net, tying the score at 1-1. It was goal number 4 for Sanchez this season as Ethan Johnson picked up his 15th assist of the campaign.
No goals were scored in the second period as only 16 shots on goal were registered, favouring Edmundston 9-7.
As play continued to be tight defensively in the third period, the Rapids took advantage of a power play to take their first lead of the game at 9:41. Tate Brenner sent a wrist shot from the point as the puck made its way through traffic and into the back of the net. It was Brenner’s 5th of the season. Jeremy Boulanger assisted on the Rapids’ go-ahead goal.
But at 17:34, Philippe Collette took advantage of an odd man rush as he was trailing the play, sending a shot that tied the game for the visitors.
Both teams had a few chances to score in the overtime frame. Adam Lecours came up big, making the save of the game when a Blizzard player came on a breakaway.
Edmundston netminder Nicholas Sheehan faced a total of 32 shots in the game. Adam Lecours blocked 29 shots in goal for the Rapids.
Both teams will square off again on Friday night, this time at the Jean-Daigle Centre in Edmundston. Puck drop is at 7:30 pm.
GAME NOTES:
*Philippe Collette (Edm) was the only player on both sides to pick up 2 points in ther game as he finished with 1g 1a.
*The Rapids went 1 for 4 on the power play while the Blizzard went scoreless in 2 PP opportunities.
*Game attendance: 797
*Three stars of the game: 1- Raphael Denis (GFR); Félix Bédard (EDM); Tate Brenner (GFR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
1st
4:21 EDM Justin Hebert (5) ASST: Philippe Collette (11), Jérémy Fortin (7)
18:41 GFR Tristan Sanchez (4) ASST: Ethan Johnson (15)
2nd
No Scoring
3rd
9:41 GFR Tate Brenner (5) ASST: Jeremy Boulanger (17) (PP)
17:34 EDM Philippe Collette (10) ASST: Felix Bedard (17)
1st OT
No Scoring