The Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues and StFX X-Women played to two straight victories in Week 7 of AUS women's hockey action, allowing them to close the gap to the top of the standings.
The Aigles Bleues kicked things off Thursday night in Sackville, as they edged the Mount Allison Mounties 4-1. Moncton goals in the win came from Shani Rossignol (PP), Maritza Labrie, Erica Plourde and Lianne Desforges (PP), while Reese Chuback's powerplay tally was the lone goal for the Mounties on the night. Labrie received Player of the Game honours for her winning goal, and Annick Boudreau made 14 saves in the win.
The Aigles Bleues then earned a 2-1 victory over the St. Thomas Tommies on Sunday afternoon, in a game that had to be decided in a shootout. Just 36 seconds into the second, the Tommies took advantage with a goal from Trinity Webber, assisted by Ekaterina Pelowich and Nadia Lavoie. The Aigles Bleues tied it up in the third with a powerplay goal from Maritza Labrie, assisted by Cassandra Call and Shani Rossignol Sweeney. After a scoreless extra frame, Cassandra Call scored the game-winner in overtime to give the Aigles Bleues their third straight win.
A four-goal first period and a strong powerplay helped the StFX X-Women hockey team to a 6-2 win over the AUS-leading UNB Reds on Saturday night in Antigonish. StFX forward Anna MacCara had a three-point night and took home player of the game honours, while Landyn Pitts was named the second star with her two-goal effort, and Ella VandeSompel picked up the third star with two assists. Terryn Mozes, Vivian Hinch (PP) and Maggy Burbidge (PP) also found the back of the net for the X-Women in the win, while UNB tallies came from Rylee Strohm (PP) and Melanie Drost (PP). StFX's Amaya Giraudier made 31 saves for the win, while UNB's Kendra Woodland had 37 saves in the loss.
The X-Women picked up their second win of the weekend on Sunday afternoon with a close 2-1 victory over the visiting Dalhousie Tigers. Following an outstanding performance against UNB on Friday, STFX forward Anna MacCara opened the scoring on Sunday afternoon with a powerplay marker with about five minutes left to play in the first period. Maggy Burbidge then found the back of the net just over a minute later to put StFX ahead by two. Dalhousie's Alix Yallowega put the visitors on the board in the third, but it would not be enough as the X-Women held on for the win. Dalhousie's Grace Beer, who picked up second-star honours, had an impressive 47 saves in the loss, while Amaya Giraudier made 23 saves in the winning effort.
The conference-leading UNB Reds split their games this weekend, doubling the Saint Mary's Huskies 4-2 Friday night. The Reds scored three unanswered goals in the victory, while Reds forward Lillian George reached a new milestone. George became the program's all-time scoring leader, registering an assist on the game's second goal, the 81st of her regular season AUS career. Payton Hargreaves scored twice for the Reds in the win, with teammates Lauren Toner and April Reiner adding tallies as well. Ashley Penney and Aimee O'Neill found the back of the net for the Huskies in the loss.
The Huskies bounced back Saturday with forward Miranda Hatt scoring three goals for her second hattrick of the season, to propel Saint Mary's to a 6-0 win over the UPEI Panthers in Halifax. Mackenzie Beggs, Abigail MacKenzie and Gillian Lapierre (PP) also recorded tallies in the win, while Sophie Scully made 20 saves in net for the shutout.
The Panthers split their weekend games, defeating the Dalhousie Tigers 4-1 at the Halifax Forum on Friday night. UPEI goals came from Stephanie Leger (PP), Lexie Murphy, Ashley McCutcheon (PP) and Sophie Bujold (EN), while Brooklyn Paisley scored the lone goal for the Tigers in the loss. Sarah Forsythe made 15 saves for the Panthers in the win.
The Tommies hosted the Mounties on Saturday, with St. Thomas doubling the visitors 4-2. Peyton Van Volsen, Claire Nimegeers (PP), Nadia Lavoie and Ekaterina Pelowich (PP) scored for the Tommies in the win, while Mount Allison goals came from Dallis MacKenzie and Alisha Donovan. Chloe Marshall made 16 stops in the win, while Hanna Pagdato made 40 saves in net for the Mounties.
Thursday, November 16
Moncton 4 at Mount Allison 1
Friday, November 17
UPEI 4 at Dalhousie 1
UNB 4 at Saint Mary's 2
Saturday, November 18
UNB 2 at StFX 6
UPEI 0 at Saint Mary's 6
Mount Allison 2 at St. Thomas 4
Sunday, November 19
Dalhousie 1 at StFX 2
Moncton 2 at St. Thomas 1 (SO)
Standings
1. UNB Reds (11-3-0)
2. StFX X-Women (9-1-2)
3. Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues (9-3-2)
4. St. Thomas Tommies (8-3-2)
5. Saint Mary's Huskies (6-5-1)
6. Dalhousie Tigers (6-8-0)
7. UPEI Panthers (4-10-0)
8. Mount Allison Mounties (0-10-3)