GRAND FALLS – The Edmundston Blizzard won for the 29th time this season, defeating the Rapids by a score of 4-0 Wednesday night at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre in Grand Falls.
Samuel LeBlanc registered the shutout, blocking all 25 shots he faced. Despite his team’s loss, Rapids’ netmindfer Adam Lecours was solid once again, making 36 saves.
The victory enables Edmundston to push their lead to 3 points on the West Kent Steamers atop the Eastlink North division standings.
As for the Rapids, it was a 6th consecutive loss as they remain 8 points back of the Campbellton Tigers for 5th spot in the division.
Only one goal was scored in the opening period, resulting from a wraparound behind the net from Jérémy Ste-Marie at 17:23.
The turning point of the period occurred before the 10th minute of play when the Rapids were awarded a 5-minute powerplay following a check from behind. Not only were the Rapids held scoreless, but they also lost the services of their captain Jérémy Boulanger for the remainder of the game, victim of that major penalty.
Edmundston added two more goals in the middle frame. Jérémy Fortin sent a shot into the top corner of the net at 5:33 while his team was playing with the man advantage. Then at 17:09, following a two-on-one break, Philippe Collette beat Adam Lecours with a wrist shot, giving the visitors a three-goal edge through two periods of play.
Shots on goal at that point were 31 to 13 in favour of the Blizzard.
Félix Bédard scored Edmundston’s fourth goal at 16:55 of the third period, his 30th of the season.
The Rapids did dominate the period in shots on goal, 12 to 9, but Blizzard goalkeeper Samuel LeBlanc stood solid between the pipes, obtaining his first shutout of the season.
Note that Rapids’ defenseman Raphaël Denis was also missing from the Rapids’ lineup in the third period.
It will be a short rest for Greg Leland’s squad as the team will embark on a two-game road trip to Nova Scotia over the weekend. Saturday, the Rapids will meet the Truro Bearcats while on Sunday night, they will clash with the Pictou County Weeks Crushers in a 7pm matchup.
GAME NOTES:
*Three Edmundston players finished the game with identical records of 1g 1a: Philippe Collette, Félix Bédard and Jérémy Fortin.
*The Blizzard scored 1 goal on the power play on 4 PP opportunities. The Rapids were scoreless in 4 PP chances.
*Game attendance: 909
*Three stars of the game: 1- Jérémy Fortin (EDM); 2- Samuel LeBlanc (EDM); 3- Alexis Jacques (EDM)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
1st
17:23 EDM Jeremy Ste-Marie (14) ASST: Peter Amanatidis (18), Noah Matulu (9)
2nd
5:33 EDM Jérémy Fortin (22) ASST: Dominic LeBlanc (14), Alexis Jacques (17) (PP)
17:09 EDM Philippe Collette (23) ASST: Felix Bedard (44)
3rd
16:55 EDM Felix Bedard (30) ASST: Jérémy Fortin (22), Philippe Collette (33)