Late goal lifts Aigles Bleues over X-Women

ANTIGONISH, NS - Three points from Erica Plourde powered les Moncton Aigles Bleues to a closely fought 3-2 win over the STFX X-Women on Sunday afternoon at the Charles V Keating Centre.

Plourde earned first star and player of the game honors for her efforts, with an assist and two goals, including the game winner. STFX forward Kameryn Lahey, with a goal, picked up the second star while Moncton's Valerie Hache, with a goal and two assists, was named third star. 

With two games left in the season, the X-Women remain tied with the UNB REDS atop the Atlantic University Sport standings, with both teams already moving on to the league semi-finals. Moncton has already clinched a playoff spot, but the win puts them closer to home ice advantage in the first round. 

Plourde rang one off the post for les Aigles Bleues 30 seconds into the game, setting the pace for a high energy first period. STFX replied to the pressure in kind, but Moncton got on the board first, with Plourde tapping one in from the side of the net while on the powerplay 12 minutes into the game.

Hache made it 2-0 four minutes later, pouncing on a rebound and hitting twine through traffic. 

The X-Women got on the board four minutes into the second period, as Landyn Pitts carried the puck from behind the net and found an open Lahey, who fired one home short-side.

WHKY: Mackenzie Lothian deposits the pass from Ireland McCloskey just 7 seconds into the 3rd to knot the game 2-2! #goxgo pic.twitter.com/r9lXRaeVYu

— StFX Athletics (@StFXAthletics) February 9, 2025

Moncton appeared to add another with eight minutes to go, but it was ruled a no goal due to a high stick. A late powerplay looked dangerous for the visitors, but the period ended with STFX trailing 2-1. 

Mackenzie Lothian only needed seven seconds to tie the game up early in the third period, tipping a pass from Ireland McCloskey while on the powerplay.

WHKY: Mackenzie Lothian deposits the pass from Ireland McCloskey just 7 seconds into the 3rd to knot the game 2-2! #goxgo pic.twitter.com/r9lXRaeVYu

— StFX Athletics (@StFXAthletics) February 9, 2025

The period remained tightly contested, but Plourde sniped the game winner, a bar-down shot from in close, after getting a pass from Lianne Desforges, with 2:30 left to play. 

Moncton goalie Annick Boudreau made 23 saves in the win, while STFX netminder Bianca Zak had 27 stops. 

The X-Women were without the services of several key forwards due to illness, including Anna MacCara, Kamdyn Switzer, Tea Pearce and Ashlyn Garnett.

The X-Women host their final home game of the regular season next Friday, February 14, when they host the UNB REDS at 7 p.m. in a showdown for first place. Moncton is also at home next Friday, when they face the Dalhousie Tigers at 7 p.m.

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics