By Daniel Simpkin
The Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues beat the Dalhousie Tigers 2-0 at the Civic Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Saturday, February 19th.
The Aigles Bleues opened the scoring 10 minutes into the first period behind a goal from Emilie Comeau (Hearst, ON).
Soon after, Vanessa McKinnon (St-Charles, ON) capitalized on a slight lapse in the Tigers defence and extended the Aigles Bleues lead with a sneaky tip-in goal from the right side of the key.
Heading into the second period, the Aigles Bleues led 2-0.
The Tigers got their first power play of the game when Aigle Bleue Vanessa McKinnon was sent off for tripping. However, goalkeeper Audrey Berthiaume (St-Bruno, QC) kept Moncton's net tightly secured and stifled the Tigers offence throughout their player-advantage.
Despite multiple scoring opportunities for both teams, neither one could piece together the scoring formula in the second period.
The Aigles Bleues maintained their hotly contested 2-0 lead going into the third period of play.
Both teams came out energetically after the 20-minute rest.
Two minutes in, Moncton forward Erica Plourde (Pigeon-Hill, NB) was sent off for tripping and the Tigers got their second power-play of the game. The Aigles Bleues once again managed to prevent the Tigers from scoring their first goal of the game.
With seven minutes left to play, Berthiaume continued a strong defensive performance with 23 saves for Moncton. On the other end of the ice, Tigers veteran goalkeeper Taylor Beam (Brooklin, ON) had 15 saves tallied-up and had locked the net down since the first period.
In the closing minute of the game, the Tigers pulled Beam and went all-out for a much-needed goal. However, the resilient Aigles Bleues defence stayed in top-form and maintained their 2-0 lead.
The Aigles Bleues won 2-0.
Audrey Berthiaume was awarded Subway Player of the Game honors for the Aigles Bleues.
Up next, the Tigers face the UPEI Panthers at home on February 20th and Moncton heads to UPEI Wednesday February 23rd.