Press Release
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Semifinal series between Aigles Bleus and Reds promises
Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus did not win any of the five regular-season games against the University of New Brunswick Reds this season, but coach Judes Vallée says things are very different now as they get ready for the first game of the best of 5 semifinal Subway Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey series.
The first game will be on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at the Aitken University Centre in Fredericton. The second will take place on Friday evening at the same venue.
“This is a huge series against UNB,” Moncton coach Judes Vallée indicated. “We believe in our chances because we are playing a much different type of hockey than during the regular season. We are playing with confidence and with tempo. We did make a few adjustments offensively to help us score more goals. We need to play with lots of intensity, limit the turnovers, skate fast and return quickly in our zone. We did adjust how we prepare mentally, and we are better prepared than before. We have confidence on our side. We have a bit more chances with the best of 5 series and this is a very different season.”
Fifth-year player Robbie Graham is glad to be participating in his first ever semi-final series of his university career. “We need to play the same way we did against StFX,” he said. “We keep our play simple, we shoot the puck deep in their territory, we limit the turnovers and we shoot on the net. I told my teammates that time flies and that my career is almost done. I told them to enjoy the moment because it is very difficult to win a series in this league. We aim to go as far as possible and we take it one game and one series at the time.”
Defencemen Danick Crète is one of the reasons the Aigles Bleus reached the semifinal series. “We are getting ready for this big one,” he stated. “All are playing their role and goaltender Montpetit is doing his job well. We were five defencemen for the quarterfinals, and we raised our play a notch. We all showed lots of progress. I play where the coaches ask me to, forward or defencemen. I can play physical with lots of intensity. I enjoy making a quick pass to the forwards.”
Defencemen Michael Kemp could attempt a return to play after a few weeks on the injured list, giving six players in this position.
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