REDS Fall to Aigles Bleues

(MONCTON, NB) The UNB REDS bid at a fifth straight victory came up short Thursday night in a 3-2 loss to the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues in Moncton, NB.

"It's hard playing in this rink," said UNB assistant coach Cassidy Hilworth. "I thought we finished the game really well though. Which is a glimpse into how we should be playing all the time."

Elizabeth Galipeau, Valérie Haché, and Erica Plourde scored for the Aigles Bleues, who ended a five-game losing streak. Annick Boudreau made 21 saves in the victory for Moncton.

Cassie McCallum (Rothesay, NB) took the loss in net for UNB, stopping 21-of-24 shots.

The Aigles Bleues took an early lead with a goal just six minutes into the first period. Émilie Lalancette skillfully centered the puck from behind the net, finding an open Galipeau, who put it over the blocker of McCallum, giving Moncton a 1-0 advantage.

At the midpoint of the first period, Lillian George (Nipissing First Nation) had a chance to level the score for the REDS during a 2-on-1 opportunity. However, Boudreau made a point-blank save on George's attempt and followed up with another stop on Sydney Oitomen's (Mississauga, ON) rebound effort.

The Aigles Bleues held the 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

The REDS leveled the game at 12:55 of the second period with a powerplay goal by Katelyn Scott (Almonte, ON). Scott unleashed a shot on net that deflected off an Aigles Bleues defender, eluding Boudreau and tying the score at 1-1.

However, just two minutes later, Haché notched the go-ahead goal for the Aigles Bleues. She was able to bat home a loose puck in front of the net, giving Moncton a 2-1 advantage.

Plourde extended the Aigles Bleues' lead at 17:07 of the second period. Taking a cross-crease pass from Lianne Desforges, Plourde beat the outstretched McCallum to make it a 3-1 game.

Lindsey Smith (Onslow, NS) narrowed the gap for UNB, scoring at 11:36 of the third period. Smith capitalized on a defensive error by the Aigles Bleues, seizing an opportunity to beat Boudreau and bring the score to 3-2 in favor of Moncton.

As UNB pressed for the equalizer late in the third period, Lauren Carter (Milton, ON) found herself wide open in front of the net, receiving a well-placed centering pass from behind the net. Despite a promising chance, Carter was stopped by Boudreau, who made her best save of the night, securing the 3-2 victory for the Aigles Bleues.

With the loss, the REDS drop to 15-4-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL). UNB will return to home ice on Friday, facing the St. Thomas Tommies at 7:00 pm at UNB's Aitken Centre.

The Aigles Bleues move to 10-8-0-2 and will travel to Halifax, NS on Saturday to face the Dalhousie Tigers at 7:00 pm.

RECAP BY: Evan Richtsfeld/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Madison Tucker/UNB Athletics