The Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues came out strong in the opening weekend of AUS women's hockey action, earning a pair of wins.
Wednesday night, the Aigles Bleues visited the UPEI Panthers in Charlottetown. A powerplay tally from Moncton's Shani Rossignol with under four minutes remaining in regulation allowed Moncton to pull ahead to earn a 3-2 win over the Panthers. Rossignol earned Player of the Game honours for her efforts. Maitza Labrie and Amelie Vachon also recorded tallies in the win, while Stephanie Leger (PP) and Sophie Bujold recorded goals for UPEI in the loss.
Moncton then doubled the UNB Reds 4-2 Friday night, with Elizabeth Galipeau leading the Aigles Bleues attack who scored a hat-trick in the win. Valerie Hache also found the back of the net in the win, while Katelyn Scott (PP) and Lillian George scored for the Reds in the loss.
The Reds bounced back Saturday, topping the St. Thomas Tommies 4-3 in Fredericton. Reds captain Payton Hargreaves scored twice to complete an incredible three-goal UNB comeback. Mackenzie Keenan and Katelyn Scott also scored in the win, while Trinity Webber (PP), Amy Dvernichuk and Nadia Lavoie recorded tallies for the visitors.
The Dalhousie Tigers women's hockey team opened their season with an 8-1 win over the Mount Allison Mounties on Wednesday night. Kennedy Whelan (2), Regan Duffy, Gabrielle Noordijk (PP), Olivia Eustace (2), Abby Wamboldt and Anika Curri all found the back of the net for Dalhousie, while Tallon Stephenson scored the lone goal for Mount Allison in the loss. Whelan was named the player of the game for her three-point performance.
The Tigers then hosted their crosstown rival Saint Mary's Huskies Friday night, with the visitors doubling the Tigers 4-2. Avery Cant recorded two goals on the night for the Huskies, with Kara MacLean and Mackenzie Beggs adding tallies in the win. Dalhousie goals in the loss came from Olivia Eustace and Anika Curri.
The StFX X-Women opened their season with a 5-0 shutout victory over the Mounties. X-Women player of the game Kamdyn Switzer led the way with two goals and an assist, while STFX netminder Amaya Giraudier made 16 saves while picking up the shutout win. Kya Moss (PP), Landon Pitts (PP) and Kameryn Lahey also recorded tallies in the victory.
The Tommies split their weekend games as they earned a 4-1 win over the Panthers Friday night. St. Thomas goals came from Ekaterina Pelowich, Amber Daley, Trinity Webber (PP) and Ella Chambers, with Avery Penner netting the lone goal for UPEI. Katie Sweeney made 26 saves in net for the Tommies in the victory.
Scores:
Wednesday, October 4
Moncton 3 at UPEI 2
Mount Allison 1 at Dalhousie 8
Friday, October 6
Saint Mary's 4 at Dalhousie 2
UNB 2 at Moncton 4
Mount Allison 0 at StFX 5
UPEI 1 at St. Thomas 4
Saturday, October 7
St. Thomas 3 at UNB 4
Standings
1. Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues (2-0-0)
2. Dalhousie Tigers (1-1-0)
3. StFX X-Women (1-0-0)
4. Saint Mary's Huskies (1-0-0)
5. St. Thomas Tommies (1-1-0)
6. UNB Reds (1-1-0)
7. UPEI Panthers (0-2-0)
8. Mount Allison Mounties (0-2-0)