Aigles Bleues down Panthers 3-1

By Thomas Becker

The UPEI Panthers are still searching for their first win streak of the season after falling to the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues 3-1 Wednesday night.

Coming off an emotional overtime win Sunday afternoon, the Panthers (2-7) were unable to carry that momentum into Wednesday's contest as the Aigles Bleues (5-3-1) took control of the game late in the second period and into the third.

The Panthers did well to keep pace with Moncton in an evenly matched opening frame. UPEI's Sarah Forsythe turned aside 10 shots in the period and was a big reason why the game was knotted up at zeroes after 20 minutes of action.

Moncton came out of the break with more energy than their opponent but couldn't get a puck by Forsythe until the 15-minute mark when Marie-Soleil Simard's shot from the point was tipped in front by Amelie Vachon for the game's opening goal.

The Aigles Bleues added to their lead just 81 seconds into the third period on a goal from Lianne Desforges. Erica Plourde took the puck from her own zone and raced down the ice before snapping a quick wrist shot off Forsythe, leading to a long rebound that Desforges put away.

Moncton all but sealed the win with their third goal of the night, which came at 13:16. After Desforges poked the puck free from a Panther, her shot ricocheted off something in front and landed near the post where Plourde tapped it in.

UPEI showed some fight and quickly responded with a goal of their own, as Chiara Esposito saw a loose puck in the attacking zone and beat everyone to it before firing a wrist shot by Annick Boudreau at 15:01. The Panthers showed what they were capable of in that final stretch, but time wasn't on their side, as they fell 3-1.

The Panthers travel to Antigonish next where they'll take on the St. FX X-Women Sunday afternoon, while the Aigles Bleues visit the UNB Reds Saturday night.

Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek