GRAND FALLS – The Edmundston Blizzard took an early 2-0 lead and held on to a 3-2 victory Wednesday night in Grand Falls against their Northwestern rivals.
It was the second exhibition contest played between the two teams; the Rapids won the first meeting by a score of 4-1.
Both lineups had some regular players suited up for the game, which was very different than when they first met last Friday.
The Blizzard outshot their opponents 38 to 21, dominating 26-8 after two periods of play.
Cody Bonenfant, on a tip in front of the net, and Justin Hebert on a scramble in front of the crease, gave Edmundston a 2-0 lead in the opening period.
The Rapids scored the only goal of the middle frame despite sending only three shots on net minders Olivier St-Onge and Simon Boucher.
Derek Bird, with his 2nd tally of the preseason, reduced the margin to 2-1 after pushing a loose puck behind the red line.
Both teams got on the board in the third period. Nathan Plamondon-Michaud took advantage of a miscue in Rapids’ territory to put the Blizzard up by two goals at 14:48. Then at 17:26, defenseman Will Morrison, playing in his first exhibition game of the season, left his post at the blue line and sent a wrist shot into the back of the net, cutting the visitors’ lead to one goal. It was a power play tally, but Edmundston would hold on for the win.
Derek Bird finished the game with 1 goal and 1 assist, which brings his record in the preseason to 2g and 1a for 3 points.
Loic Nadeau was solid between the pipes for Grand Falls, blocking a total of 35 shots.
The Rapids will play their final exhibition contest on Saturday night in Fredericton as they clash with the Red Wings. Puck drop is at 7pm at the Grant-Harvey Centre.
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
|
1st |
|
|
|
|
11:28 |
EDM |
Cody Bonenfant (1) ASST: Nicolas Dube (1), Alex Thibault (1) |
|
|
13:21 |
EDM |
Justin Hebert (1) ASST: Philippe Collette (1), Ryan Loveless (1) |
|
|
2nd |
|
|
|
|
16:05 |
GFR |
Derek Bird (2) ASST: Matthew Ferdinand (3) |
|
|
3rd |
|
|
|
|
14:48 |
EDM |
Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (1) ASST: Emile Fournier (1) |
|
|
17:26 |
GFR |
Will Morrison (1) ASST: Derek Bird (1), Ethan Kane (1) (PP) |
|