Aigles Bleues force game three with 4-2 win over Huskies

The Moncton Aigles Bleues upset the Saint Mary's Huskies 4-2 on Thursday night in Moncton, with the series now shifting back to Halifax for a decisive game three on Saturday night.

In the first period, the Aigles Bleues took a lead thanks to a powerplay goal from forward Erica Plourde (Pigeon-Hill, NB) with just over five minutes remaining in the frame.

The two teams each registered eight shots on net during the first period, and Moncton took a 1-0 lead into intermission.

Through more than 18 minutes of the second period, the Huskies dominated play and fired 12 shots on goal, but Aigles Bleues goaltender Annick Boudreau (Memramcook, NB), turned them away. With just under a minute remaining in the period, the Aigles Bleues doubled their lead off a goal from Shani Rossignol (Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, NB).

The Aigles Bleues took a 2-0 lead into the intermission, despite being outshot 20-13 by the Huskies.

In the third period, the Huskies cut into the lead when captain Caleigh Meraw (Red Deer, AB) scored a powerplay goal, assisted by Maddy Corbett (Sydney, NS) 4:06 into the third.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Captain Caleigh with a huge goal to put @SMUHuskiesWH within one goal! Moncton leads 2-1 early in the third period.

��C. Meraw
��M. Corbett pic.twitter.com/2pURXDfu1u

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 17, 2023

Moncton continued to keep the pressure up, and had several quality scoring opportunities, but Huskies goaltender Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB) made some big saves to keep the game close.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Another fantastic save by Ridleigh Hansen to keep the Huskies within one! @SMUHuskiesWH pic.twitter.com/4XXnRm1H6h

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 17, 2023

The Huskies continued searching for the equalizer, but the Aigles Bleues restored the two goal lead as Rossignol scored her second goal of the night with just under 10 minutes remaining in regulation.

With just over two minutes remaining, the Huskies pulled Hansen for the extra-attacker and cut into the lead when forward Shae Demale (Red Deer, AB), deflected home a Miranda Hatt (Regina, SK) shot for her second goal of the playoffs.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Shae Demale scores to cut the Aigles Bleues lead back down to one.

��S. Demale (2)
��M. Hatt pic.twitter.com/apqV2SLNIz

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 17, 2023

But the Aigles Bleues would respond with an empty net goal, as Erica Plourde scored her second of the night to clinch the 4-2 victory. 

The Huskies outshot the Aigles Bleues 29-26, with Boudreau making 27 saves for the win, while Hansen turned away 22 of 25 shots faced.

Aigles Bleues forward Shani Rossignol, and Huskies forward Shae Demale were named Subway Players of the Game for their respective squad.

The Aigles Bleues win ties the series at 1-1, and forces a third and decisive game of the best-of-three quarterfinal series, which will be played this Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the Dauphinee Centre. GET TICKETS

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics