Aigles Bleus edge Panthers in shootout, 3-2

MONCTON, NB—Goals from Jérémy Michel and Jeremy Lapointe in the shootout, combined with two crucial saves by goaltender Nathan Darveau, lifted the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus (9-5-2-0, 20 points, 2nd place) to a 3-2 victory over the UPEI Panthers (5-10-0-1, 11 points, 6th place) Saturday night.

Darveau, named the game's first star, delivered a stellar performance, stopping 39 shots across four periods and excelling in the shootout to secure the win. Panthers goaltender Joe Ranger, the second star, was equally impressive, turning aside 33 shots in a hard-fought loss.

Moncton opened the scoring at 13:52 of the first period when Jonathan Desrosiers, the third star of the game, netted his first career AUS goal on a power play, with assists from Michael Horth and Nathaël Roy. However, UPEI responded swiftly as Cameron Morton tied the game less than three minutes later.

The Panthers seized a 2-1 lead early in the second period when Kaleb Pearson converted a power play opportunity at 7:05, with Patrick LeBlanc setting up the one-timer. Moncton answered just four minutes later as Jérémie Jacob struck unassisted to even the score at 2-2.

Both teams battled fiercely through the third period and overtime, with neither able to capitalize on their chances. Both squads finished 1-for-5 on the power play for the game.

The Aigles Bleus will host the Saint Mary's Huskies Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the J.-Louis-Lévesque Arena, while the Panthers return home to face the St. FX X-Men Friday night.

RECAP/PHOTO COURTESY: UdeM Sports Information