Blizzard 5-4 OT Win Over Neepawa

The OCN Blizzard improved their exhibition season record to 2-1 with a 5-4 overtime win over the Neepawa Natives.

Once again Grant Valiquette stood out, the kid is going to be a stud.

Kamil Prezpiorka looked very solid between the pipes again and TJ Constant was up to his old tricks with his name all over the score sheet. Again, Tyler Grove is a player that will excite fans with his speed and feisty playing style.

Ward-Cardinal controlled the offensive tempo very well once again from the back end and Nathan Bruyere had some quality chances as usual, he just needs to keep his howitzer of a shot below the knees and on target.

Here is how the scoring broke down:

1st period

OCN - Valiquette - Assist, Gray @ 6:03

Neepawa- Martin - Assist, Simpson @8:20

2nd period

OCN - TJ Constant - Assist, Baptiste @ 5:38

Neepawa - Daleboizk - Assist, Brooks @ 9:30

OCN -  Baptiste - Assist, TJ Constant @10:45

3rd period

OCN - Ward-Cardinal - Assist, Bruyere @ 1:25

Neepawa -  Lawrence - Assist, Switzer @ 2:15

Neepawa - Jacobson - Assist, Durdle @ 12:55

Overtime

OCN - Grove - Unassisted @ 1:59

Shots - 39 OCN - 24 Neepawa

The Blizzard made six cuts tonight bringing their roster down to 26. They will need to make one more cut by the beginning of the season.

An injury update on Mitchell Backhouse - he tore his ACL and will be out 3-6 months plus rehab. Having gone through the same injury myself I can tell you he's got a long road ahead of him. Also Wilson Dumais and Daniel Stagg were out tonight with the flu, no word on when they will be able to return.

Alex Henry and Brendan Dusik are expected to join the team on Monday as they have a funeral to attend this weekend for one of their hockey friends.

The Blizzard practice tomorrow before heading off to Nipawin on Saturday, it will be nice to see how what will essentially be the opening day roster performs as a unit throughout the rest of the exhibition season.

I will post the six cuts tomorrow morning as well as an interview with GM Derek Fontaine regarding cuts, camp, the upcoming season and more.

Have a good night.

-Brad-