(MONCTON, N.B.) The AUS top-seeded UNB Varsity Reds men's hockey have guaranteed themselves a spot in the AUS championship after besting Moncton's Aigles Bleus 5-0 in front of 800 fans.
UNB now moves to a record of 14-2-2 for the season. After a strong start to the season, Moncton now moves to a record of 7-9-2. The Acadia Axemen picked up a playoff spot as well, following UNB in second place in the AUS with a record of 14-4-1.
"We were not able to capitalize on our five minute power play at the end of the first period," Moncton coach Serge Bourgeois said.
"A goal at that time would have given us confidence and a 2-1 score. It could have made a big difference. We tried hard, but they were able to take advantage of our mistakes. The Reds worked hard and we missed a number of opportunities. We took a lot of shots in the first period, but we played a very good team. My players wanted to score and play well, but sometimes we try too hard and we forget our systems."
Cam Braes and Philippe Halley netted the first two goals for the V-Reds in the first. Alex Wall and Francis Beauvillier tallied two more during the second. And finally, Cameron Critchlow, in the third, was able to get the puck behind Moncton goaltender Brandon Thibeau who faced 42 shots, including 20 in the middle period.
Chris Carrozzi faced 32 shots (20 in the first) for the shutout.
Forward Alex Noël credited UNB's goaltender for his play. "He made a number of big saves," Noël said. "We were able to get the puck out of our zone better on the power play today. We had shots and we missed our chances. We have a win and a loss this first weekend and we play five games in eight days. They clearly had the advantage in the second period. We were able to score on Friday, I cannot explain why we did not today. We need to keep our focus on the positive and move forward."
The Aigles will visit UPEI Panthers on Wednesday, in Charlottetown. The Saint Mary's Huskies and StFX X-Men will visit the Aigles Bleus Friday and Saturday at the J.-Louis-Lévesque Arena.