UNB squad tops UdeM 7-5 in men's hockey action

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Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus put a scare into the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds last night before the top-ranked team in Canadian university hockey shifted its offence into high gear.

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VIKTOR PIVOVAROV/TIMES & TRANSCRIPT

Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus’ Mathieu Bolduc checks Jordan Clendenning into the boards during the second period at J.-Louis Levesque Arena last night.

Varsity Reds improved their record to 12-0 by defeating the Aigles Bleus 7-5 in an Atlantic University Sport men's hockey conference game at the J-Louis Levesque Arena.

Aigles Bleus are in the league basement with a 3-10 record. Aigles Bleus play their final game before the Christmas break tonight against the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers. Game time is 7 p.m. at the J-Louis Levesque Arena. Aigles Bleus held a 3-1 lead after the first period and the game was tied 4-4 after 40 minutes, but the Varsity Reds took charge in the third.

"UNB showed its depth with all its four lines," said Aigles Bleus head coach Serge Bourgeois.

"Each line can score and they kept on working," Bourgeois said. "I am proud of my players because they worked hard. We kept with the best team in Canada and they scored a few lucky goals.

"I think our guys got a little nervous when they were leading 3-1 after the first period. We have a young team and the lead made them think about keeping it and not playing our game.

"We also had a few small injuries that hurt us. I expect to make a few changes in the line-up for the game against UPEI."

Kyle Bailey scored two goals for the Varsity Reds. John Dickson, Hunter Tremblay, Alex Aldred, Bretton Stamler and Matt Fillier also scored. Mathieu Bétournay led the Aigles Bleus with a pair of goals. Pierre-André Bureau, Rémi Gautreau and Charles Bergeron had the other markers.

Kévin Lachance faced 40 shots in goal for Moncton while Travis Fullerton made 22 saves for UNB.

"We are not happy with the loss, but we still can find something positive for the game against UPEI (tonight)," Bétournay said.

"We showed we could play with the best team in Canada. They have a very good attack and they were able to capitalize on their chances. We did score five goals against the best team and we had our mind set on beating them."

In other games last night, the Dalhousie Tigers beat the St. Francis Xavier X-Men 6-4, St. Thomas Tommies edged UPEI 7-6 and the Acadia Axemen downed the Saint Mary's Huskies 4-3 in overtime.