(HALIFAX, N.S.) - When the Aigles Bleues were five games under .500 at the halfway point of the 2013-14 season, it was difficult to fathom that they would be playing in the AUS women's hockey championship final series.
But that is exactly where they will be as they defeated the Saint Mary's Huskies 6-2 at Alumni Arena on Saturday.
Ever since the start of 2014, the Aigles Bleues have been on a run, losing just two games. Moncton has transformed from an interesting underdog to championship material.
Now, this red-hot Moncton team moves on to the AUS final series where they will play either the fifth-seeded Mount Allison Mounties. The Mounties upset the top-seeded X-Women 3-2 in double overtime tonight to take the third game of their series.
Moncton owned the third period in Saturday's matchup, breaking open a tie game with three unanswered even-strength goals.
Saint Mary's came out flat in the third, mustering only five shots against Gabrielle Forget while Moncton shelled Sienna Cooke with 11. For the Huskies this season, it was a rarity when they were outshot, but they were lacking in that department today, putting up 25 shots to Moncton's 29.
Karine Roy open the floodgates when she scored the game-winning goal 7:54 into the third period. Natacha Bergeron set up the goal after she stepped around Huskies defender Rebecca Mosher and fed Roy who wristed a shot under the glove of Cooke.
Just under a minute later at 8:44, Marie-Pier Arsenault added an insurance marker that left the Huskies shellshocked.
Elisa Savoie then sealed the victory with her team's fifth goal with 5:22 remaining.
The Huskies had trouble keeping up with the speed of the Aigles Bleues, especially in the third period. It was a quick turnaround for both teams as Game 2 was played in Moncton on Friday night. Moncton forwards were able to exploit the fatigued Huskies defencemen by pressuring them to make quick decisions.
Moncton will have home ice advantage in the championship final series versus Mount Allison. They will play two games at home in the best 2-of-3 series.
Source: Brian Mosher for Saint Mary's Sports Information