Photo: Erica Perreaux/Hockey Canada Images
CALGARY, AB – The Northern Manitoba Blizzard came close but just couldn’t quite find their way back against the Grande Prairie Storm (AJHL) on Wednesday night at the Centennial Cup in Calgary, losing 6-3.
On Wednesday night, the first period was a goal and penalty filled affair between the Blizzard and Storm. Quincy Supprien made a nice move and cut to the net before tucking in the opening goal of the period, his third of preliminary play. Just two minutes later, the Storm tied the game at 1-1.
At 13:17, Grande Prairie took the lead off a point shot deflection where just two minutes later, Tyler Dahms would net a powerplay marker to tie the game at 2-2. The goal scoring would continue when one minute after Dahms tied it, Grande Prairie struck again to take a 3-2 lead into the second period.
Grande Prairie scored early and late in the second to take a 5-2 lead before Marlen Edwards capped off a pretty passing play to bring the Blizzard within two goals. The Blizzard would get a pair of powerplay chances but just couldn’t break through as Grande Prairie would add an empty netter to take a 6-3 win.
The Blizzard close out the preliminary round with a 2-0-1-1 record to finish 2nd in Pool A with 7 points and will now take on the Rockland Nationals (CCHL) in the quarterfinal on Friday night at 8:30 PM CDT.