Press Release
Friday, January 12, 2018
Aigles Bleus to host Axemen, Saturday
Moncton has lost its last four games while Acadia won its last two outings. Moncton’s team is five points behind fifth spot, held by the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers, and a lone point over seventh place Dalhousie University Tigers. This will mark the fourth of five games between the two clubs this season. The Axemen won all three up-to-date, by 6-1, 9-1 and 7-4 scores.
“We were able to play with them for two periods in our last game,” said Moncton coach Judes Vallé. “There are no magic solutions; our defensive game is the problem. We have been practising this for a while to play better in our zone. We did score nine goals in our last two games, so the offensive is capable. We have much difficulty in our zone. We are not aggressive enough, we are losing the battles for the puck in our own area. Our physical game is lacking, we are not checking our opponents as we should. We must play much better in our zone.”
“I am very happy to be back on the ice after four months,” stated rookie Joey Richard, of Dieppe, coming from an injury. “It was exciting to score my first goal during my first game. I added two more on Wednesday, and I credit those to my teammates and my coaches who have confidence in my play. Against Acadia, it is imperative to play a full 60 minutes. It will be our only way to win. We had a very bad first period in our last game against them, and we cannot afford that. Our offensive is working; we need to concentrate on our defensive game.”
Vallée knows his team can play better hockey as they try to distance themselves from the Dalhousie University Tigers, in seventh place, to eliminate a bit of pressure to qualify for the playoffs, with nine games remaining. Fourth year defencemen, Danick Emond, will not play again this season, he will have surgery in February. Moncton has scored 59 goals and offered 116, in 21 games up-to-date. Acadia is 90 and 60.
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