Press Release
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
A first two-game trip for the Aigles Bleus
The first win is often the most difficult to harness and Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus (0-3-1=1pt, 7th position) know all about it as they prepare for two Atlantic University Sport men's hockey road games.
Judes Vallée's team has not yet managed to find the magic moment in its first four games of the regular season. The team will be on the road this weekend with two challenging games in Nova Scotia. It's one of two two-game road trips this semester.
The Blue and Gold face the Dalhousie University Tigers (2-2-0=4pts, 5th position) for the first time this season on Friday evening in Halifax before heading to Antigonish on Saturday to play the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men (3-1-0=6pts, 2nd position), at the same time.
“Road games are never easy,” said head coach Judes Vallée of the Aigles Bleus. “A two-game trip means a lot. So far, we have been content saying we played well and with an excuse of several injured players. We need to change the way we think. Currently, we seem satisfied with our small effort. We must change our mindset on Friday with the focus on this game.”
Goaltender Étienne Montpetit should be back on the ice and other injured players could return to the lineup. A decision will be made on the same day. “It's our way of playing that I'm not satisfied with,” added the coach. “We have to rally to play well. Our power play is not doing well and our penalty kill is a little better. We have to play according to the criteria we set ourselves at the beginning of the year. We played better in exhibition games. The calibre of play is high in this league and we can't afford to take a break. You have to show up every night.”
Defender Francis Thibeault says this first two-games trip can be beneficial for the team. “It will bring us closer together and build our team spirit,” he explained. “We have the chance to build relationships. These are two big games; every team in the league is good and capable of winning games. It's up to us to come out strong on both nights and win both games.”
Thibeault is playing his second year with the Aigles Bleus and he wants to help the team as best he can. “I want to give my 100 percent every outing on the ice. We have to keep things simple. I'm calmer on the ice following a year's experience. I know the opposing players better and the rinks we play in. I have more confidence and I am more relaxed. I play better in launching the offensive with good passes and my shots at the net are more accurate and in greater numbers to give us a chance to score. »
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