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Press Release

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Aigles Bleus Ready for the First Playoff Round


Thierry Comtois
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The Atlantic University Sport quarterfinal series in men’s hockey gets underway on Wednesday. The Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus (14-12-4=32 points, 5th position) and the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers (15-12-3=33 points, 4th position) will tangle in the first game of the best 2 out of 3 in Charlottetown at 7 p.m.

The series is promising as the teams met five times in regular-season play. The Panthers won three games (6-5, 3-2 and 4-2) and Moncton, two (5-3 and 4-3). The close scores and the difference from a single point in the final standings could indicate the series going to the limit. Les Panthers scored 101 goals and allowed 123 in 30 games this season whereas Moncton scored 95 and allowed 103.

“This is a short series and we cannot afford highs and lows,” said Moncton team captain, Thierry Comtois. “We need to force the play right from the first whistle and play 60 minutes with consistency. The regular season games were tight, and both teams have a similar play book. The difference could very well be in the special units. We must battle together and play as a unit on the ice. Each player has a role to play.”

Moncton coach Judes Vallée figures the series will be won in the trenches. “I predict very close games and each line on the ice will influence the outcome,” Vallée said. “We have been getting ready for this moment since last September. I like the fact we come in this series as underdogs. Our execution and focus on the ice will be critical. We cannot take a game lightly in a short series. We have strengths and we need to use them. We made too many errors during the season and we need to reduce their number.”

All players are available for the game. Étienne Montpetit will be the goaltender.

The second game of the series will be played on Friday evening at 7 p.m. at the J.-Louis-Lévesque Arena. The second series between the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men (3rd position) and the Acadia University Axemen (6th) begins on Wednesday in Antigonish.


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