By Ryan Hyndman
The Dalhousie Men's hockey team's three-game win streak ended Friday evening with the Moncton Aigles Bleus beating the Tigers 4-1.
The Tigers came flying out of the gate getting multiple high-quality scoring chances within the first five minutes of play, but Moncton goaltender, Etienne Montpetit (Valleyfield, QC) was sharp, stopping everything directed to him. Dalhousie continued their strong play with Campbell Pickard (Halifax, NS) getting a nice shot on goal after speeding into Moncton's zone. The Aigles Blues then got a chance for some offense going to the powerplay a few minutes later. The Tigers would kill the penalty and be forced to play defense a little longer as Moncton continued to push. Moncton's best chance would come off a hard shot from Edouard St-Laurent (Levis, QC) hitting Tigers goaltender Connor Hicks (Kanata, ON) square in the mask.
The Tigers started the second period just as fast, with several shots on goal before Brett Crossley (Dartmouth, NS) broke away and sent a perfect pass over to Zak Smith (Austin, MB) for the first goal of the game, 1-0 Dalhousie. There was then a delay in game action after a hit caused the panel of glass to brake. After the restart, the Tigers would get their first powerplay of the game, but Moncton's penalty killers were successful, and it remained a one-goal game. Just moments later the Tigers would get another opportunity with the extra man, but again they were denied by the penalty killers. With 8 minutes left a sneaky shot from Thomas Cusson (Cowansville, QC) from far out found its way in for the Aigles-Blues, to make it a tie 1-1 game. After a few more powerplay opportunities, the period would end with the same score.
The third would continue with many powerplay opportunities, but only a few were effective. Finally, after all the penalties to either side, the special teams would come through for the Aigles Blues. Moncton would break in, short-handed, on a Tigers 4-minute powerplay and St-Laurent deposited it into the net for a 2-1 lead. From here on it was all Aigles Blues. They would add another short-handed goal on the same penalty from Olivier-Luc Hache (Savoie Landing, NB). Then, to seal it with just three minutes remaining, was Nathal Roy (Levis, QC) on the powerplay to make it 4-1, which would be the final.
Edouard St-Laurent took home the Subway Player of the Game Award for Moncton
The Tigers fall to 6-19 and are back in action against UNB tomorrow night, back at the Halifax Forum.
Moncton improve to 11-14 will look to keep it going against STFX in Antigonish Saturday night.