Dany Coulombe’s goal with under four minutes remaining in the third period would prove to be both the game and series winner as the Edmundston Blizzard punched their ticket to the Eastlink North Division Final with a 3-2 victory over the Miramichi Timberwolves last night at the Miramcihi Civic Center. With the win, the Blizzard clinched this best-of-seven opening round series in four straight games.
The T-Wolves would hold a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play thanks to a goal by Chris Murphy. The Blizzard would roll in during the second however, as Logan Johnston’s powerplay goal would knot the score midway through the frame. Samuel Bastille would give Edmundston its first lead of the game at the 16:52 mark of the middle stanza. MHL Defenseman of the year, Mitchell Kreis, would draw the Timberwolves even once more just under nine minutes into the third period. This set the stage for Coulombe’s winner at 16:32. Myles Hektor made 22 saves for the win while Tanner Somers stopped 28 shots in the loss and was also named the game’s second star.
The Blizzard now move on to face the winner of the other Eastlink North Division Semi-Final between the Summerside Western Capitals and Campbellton Tigers. That series continues with Game 4 tonight at Credit Union Place. The Caps hold a 3-1 advantage in the series, having bounced back to win three straight after dropping Game 1 at home. Game time in Summerside is 7PM.
Also tonight, both Eastlink South Division Semi-Final series resume action. In Yarmouth, the Mariners host the Truro Bearcats in Game 5 of their best of seven showdown. This series is currently tied at two games each. In what could be deemed the “shutout series”, three of the four games thus far have resulted in a whitewash for one of the clubs. The shutout in Game 4 came courtesy of Bearcats goaltender Kevin Resop, who earned his second one of the series in a 4-0 victory on Wednesday. The puck drop in Yarmouth at 7:30PM.
Finally, the South Shore Lumberjacks take to home ice this evening looking to advance to the Eastlink South Division Final for the second time in three years when they host the Amherst Ramblers at 7PM. The Lumberjacks hold a 3-1 advantage in the series thanks to back to back 5-3 wins in Games 2 and 3 of this series.
Tune in online at myhockeytv.com for all the action throughout the MHL postseason.
Will MacLaren – themhl.ca