When Mitchell McLeod scored his first of two goals, the Blizzard didn’t look back and defeated rivals in the Northwest by 6-0. It was the Blizzard’s first shutout. for over two years. Nicholas Sheehan turned back all 21 shots for the Rapides to earn his first shutout in the MHL. The Moncton goaltender saw his goals against average drop to 2.50, the 4th best on the league.
Ironically, the Blizzard’s last shutout (4-0) was against the Rapids on October 20, 2019 at the Jean-Daigle center. Ethan Johnson (1b, 2p – 1st star), Tristan Therrien (1b, 2p – 2nd star), Mitchell McLeod (2b – 3rd star), Austin Paul (1g, 1p) and Dylan Lang beat Gio DiMattia who faced 37 throws.
The Blizzard intended to avenge its failure in overtime (4-3) suffered at the home of the Rapids on October 29. And he struck early, scoring three goals in the first period while allowing just two shots for the visitors.
In the absence of defenseman Jérémie Thibodeau, whom the Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the QMJHL recalled for their trip to the Maritimes, the Blizzard was able to count on the services of 16-year-old full-back Cohen McCallum who gave his first blows skate in the LHM.
The Blizzard strengthened their defensive squad by acquiring free agent Matthew Beaty, a 19-year-old defenseman from Minnesota. This season he played in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) playing with the Amarillo Wranglers and Bismarck Bobcats. In 11 games, he collected one assist. Edmundston will also count in its ranks defenseman Brant King, who moved to the Blizzard this week in a trade.
The Blizzard (9-2-1-0) prepare for their biggest test of the season when they take on the Summerside Western Capitals (12-1-0-1) on Saturday (7:30 p.m.) and Sunday (3 p.m. ) at the Jean-Daigle center. The Western Capitals are the second best team in the country and the Blizzard is ranked 14th.
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