Game recap by Kirk Jessome
(Halifax, NS) – In the final game for the first half of the AUS season, the Dalhousie Tigers hosted l'Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues. After an explosive second period, the Tigers were able to hang on for a 4-3 win.
The Tigers were able to find an early goal in the opening frame when Tara Morning (Aurora, ON) walked off the half-wall in the attacking end and fired it through a crowd in front. The puck managed to sneak under the pad of Audrey Berthiaume to open the scoring.
Through a mostly quiet period, the Aigles Bleues were able to answer back and even the game up as Emilie Lalancette wired a slap shot from the point with a great screen in front that blinded Fabiana Petricca (Woodbridge, ON) to make it 1-1 heading into the second.
It didn't take long for Moncton to find the go-ahead goal in the second period as a long wrist shot from Pascale Lebeau fooled Petricca and snuck through the five-hole for a 2-1 Aigles Bleues lead.
Midway through the period, the Tigers found their answering goal as Brooklyn Paisley (Shawinigan Lake, BC) picked off a clearing attempt and her quick wrist shot found the back of the net.
Just a few minutes later, Natalie Stanwood (West Vancouver, BC) drove deep into the attacking zone and took a tough angle shot on goal that was stopped, but the rebound was left on the doorstep for Paisley to tap home her second unanswered goal.
Late in the period on a power play chance, the Tigers moved the puck through the zone for Annika Rose (North Vancouver, BC) to take a shot on goal that was no good, but after a long scramble in front, Danika Phillips (Barrie, ON) was able to clean up the rebound and give the Tigers a 4-2 lead.
Managing to get one back in the final two minutes of the period, the Aigles Bleues were also given a power play chance for Gabrielle Saulnier to take a shot from close to the goal line with the rebound bouncing across to the far side where Lebeau was waiting to send the rebound home for her second goal of the night.
After a high-scoring second period, the Tigers held a 4-3 lead heading into the final period.
It was a back and forth third period, but there weren't many chances on either end to speak of as neither team wanted to make a mistake that could cost them the game.
With under two minutes left, the Aigles Bleues pulled Berthiaume, but even with a late power play opportunity, Petricca was able to stand tall and help her team hold on to the 4-3 victory.
Pascale Lebeau picked up two goals for the Aigles Bleues, but it wasn't enough as Brooklyn Paisley picked up two of her own, while Danika Phillips finished with a goal and two assists to lead the Tigers to the win.
Both teams will be back on the ice in January for the second half of the AUS season.