The Dalhousie Tigers beat the hometown Moncton Aigle Bleues 4-3 in a shootout on Friday night.
Less than two minutes in, Moncton got their first powerplay opportunity of the game, with a chance for an early lead. With some strong penalty killing from the Tigers, the game remained scoreless. The Aigles Bleues kept the pressure on which several more shots were directed to the Tigers' goal but Grace Beer (Oakville, ON) was able to stop each one. It was then Dalhousie's turn for offence, turning the play the other way Olivia Eustance (Riverview, NB) was able to find the back of the net to make it 1-0 eight minutes in. Just minutes later, the Tigers were able to double down off a turnover in the offensive zone and Paige Coulter-Vansickle (Millbrook, ON) was able to deposit the puck to make it 2-0 Dalhousie. Moncton had another chance with just over five minutes left when Lianne Desforges was denied by Beer on a point-blank shot in front of the Dalhousie crease. Moncton was then rewarded for their late-period push with Elizabeth Galipea finding the back of the net, making it 2-1.
Just minutes into the second period, the Aigles Bleues headed back to the powerplay. After several more penalties both ways, the Tigers actually found themselves on a 4-on-3 powerplay for a short period of time. Directing plenty of shots toward the net, Dalhousie was pushing but Moncton goaltender, Annick Boudreau, stood tall, keeping it a one-goal game. With 12 minutes left in the period, Moncton would once again go to the powerplay with hopes of tying the game up at two. The Tigers were able to kill it off but the pressure remained as Erica Plourde had a point-blank chance but was stopped by Beer. The Tigers were then able to turn play the other way getting several great chances on goal. They would finally break through with Brooklyn Paisley (Shawnigan Lake, BC) finding the back of the net, making it 3-1 with five minutes left in the period. As the period was winding down, Moncton got another chance on the powerplay and threw everything on the net, but were unable to solve Beer in the final moments.
The Aigles Bleues came out firing in the third period with Lianne Desforges getting a chance just minutes in but Beer continued to hold the fort for the Tigers. Continuing to attack the Tigers net, Moncton was rewarded with a goal as Erica Plourde brought them back in within one, making it 3-2 with 13 minutes left in the game. As the game began to wind down the Aigles Bleues continued to try and tie the game as Elizabeth Galipeau had a great chance in front but Beer was there to make the stop with about five minutes left in regulation. Dalhousie was doing a great job keeping the puck away from their own net in the final minutes until Moncton found an opportunity to pull the goalie for one last shot to tie it and it paid off. Plourde scored with just eleven seconds remaining making it 3-3 and forcing overtime.
Just a minute into the extra frame Moncton got a powerplay with a great opportunity to complete the comeback. Galipeau had a great shot on net but Beer made a fantastic save to keep the game alive. Overtime solved nothing, so the game progressed to a shootout to decide a winner. Through two rounds there was no scoring, with an opportunity for both teams to end it. Eustace and Maritza Labrie both scored in the third to force extra rounds. It was then Eustace again who scored several rounds later to secure the 4-3 victory for the Tigers.
Grace Beer took home the Player of the Game award for the Tigers.
Moncton's next game comes tomorrow, November 11th at 7:00 pm as they host St. Thomas, looking to get back in the win column.
The Tigers' next game is on Friday, November 17th at 7:00 pm as they host the UPEI Panthers, looking to keep the win streak going.