Press Release

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Hockey Aigles Bleus in Halifax on Wednesday

Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus (9-12-1=19pts, 6th position) will have another opportunity to distance themselves from the Dalhousie University Tigers (6-13-3=15pts, 7th place) as they travel to Halifax on Wednesday in the last regular season game between the two teams, in Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey.

Moncton has a four-point lead over the Tigers and with eight regular season games left, the battle for the last playoff spots is getting exciting. The Aigles Bleus are one point out of the fifth place held by UPEI Panthers and four from the SMU Huskies. Each team has played 22 games of the 30 in the schedule. Moncton did win the last three outings against the Tigers, all in Moncton and by two goals each. The Tigers did beat the Aigles Bleus 5-1 in a game in Halifax in early November.

"They have a different rink, we need to adjust our game and play a bit different than in our nest," stated Moncton coach, Serge Bourgeois. "We still need to progress on a few small details before the playoffs. The team is playing well now and we will focus on the things we are doing well."

Bourgeois does not believe his team will be overconfident going in this game. "The players know what is at stake and the important two standings points," he added. "We want to widen the distance between our two teams and get closer to the other teams. We cannot be overconfident, we had to work real hard in our last game to win. We know it will not be easy. They were 5-1 winners in our last game in Halifax."

Defencemen Sébastien Gauthier will be playing his fourth game since rejoining the team after an injury and he is very happy to be back and contribute to his team’s on ice success. "I have been watching my team mates from the stands for the last year and it was difficult for me," Gauthier indicated. "I am very much excited to be back on the ice. All our games are important till the end of the season. We wish to prove that we belong with the top teams in the league and tell them we are on the doorstep. The Tigers play a physical game and they rush the net. We need to adjust to that, as defencemen. My knee is progressing well and I am playing better with every shift and practice. I am improving to my playing physical conditioning of former years."

Brandon Thibeau will be the goaltender. The Tigers have lost their last six games and Moncton won its last two.



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