MacLean scores twice as Huskies defeat Aigles Bleues 2-1

HALIFAX, NS – Saint Mary's forward Kara MacLean scored two powerplay goals, leading the Huskies to a 2-1 win over the visiting Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues on Saturday afternoon at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax.

Through nearly ten minutes of play, neither team recorded a shot on goal, as the two teams tested each other in the neutral zone. Play started to open up after the ten-minute mark, with both goaltenders making impressive saves, including first year Huskies netminder Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB), stopping Aigles Bleues forward Lianne Desforges (Clarence-Rockland, ON) on a partial breakaway.

The Huskies controlled possession and had several opportunities in the first period, outshooting the Aigles Bleues 6-5, but weren't able to beat Moncton goaltender Annick Boudreau (Memramcook, NB) and the two teams went into the second period tied 0-0.

Boudreau's strong goaltending continued into the second period, stopping Kate Gallant and Ellen Laurence on partial breakaways. Just under four minutes into the period, Moncton forward Emilie Comeau was sent to the penalty box for slashing, and the Huskies made them pay. After cycling the puck around the Aigles Bleues zone, forward Kara MacLean (Antigonish, NS) took a pass from Eve LeBlanc (Petit-Rocher, NB) and fired a wrist shot from the left hash that beat Boudreau to put the Huskies up 1-0, 4:10 into the second period.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Kara MacLean scores her first of the season to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead in the second period.

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��E. LeBlanc
��S. Demale pic.twitter.com/ZaRba7w4Op

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 5, 2022

Just under five minutes minutes later, the Aigles Bleues were able to respond, as a stretch pass created a three-on-one opportunity and Flavie Gaydon (Morzine, France) was able to finish it off with a goal to tie the game at 1-1, 9:08 into the second period.

The Aigles Bleues picked up another penalty with just over six minutes remaining and once again, Kara MacLean and the Huskies powerplay made them play, as Shae Demale (Red Deer, AB) played a nice cross-ice pass to MacLean, and the second year made no mistake scoring her second powerplay goal of the period to restore the Huskies lead.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Kara MacLean scores her second powerplay goal of the period to give the Huskies a 2-1 lead in the second period.

��K. MacLean (2)
��E. LeBlanc
��S. Demale pic.twitter.com/kpIty0hfDZ

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 5, 2022

The Huskies outshot the Aigles Bleues 12-7 in the second period, and took a 2-1 lead into the final frame.

The goaltenders on both ends of the ice continued to the shine in the third period, with Boudreau making a great save on Miranda Hatt (Eastern Passage, NS), before Hansen made two of the best saves of the night on Moncton's Elodie St-Jacques (St. Jerome, QC) and Erica Plourde (Pigeon-Hill, NB).

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

First year goaltender Ridleigh Hansen with a pair of outstanding saves to keep the @smuhuskieswh lead in tact. pic.twitter.com/x1YkoExgx0

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 5, 2022

Moncton continued to press for the equalizer, but Hansen and the Huskies defence stood tall, and would win the game with a 2-1 score.

Huskies forward Kara MacLean was named Subway Player of the Game with two powerplay goals, while teammates Shae Demale and Eve LeBlanc each added a pair of assists.

Hansen made 19 saves in the Huskies goal, while Boudreau stopped 23 shots for the Aigles Bleues.

The Huskies win improved their record to 5-4-0 on the campaign. Their next test will come on the road next Friday, as they head to Charlottetown, P.E.I. to take on the UPEI Panthers, before returning to home to host the St. Thomas Tommies on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Dauphinee Centre.

The Aigles Bleues loss dropped their record to 2-8-0 on the season. They'll be back on the road Wednesday night, as they take on the UNB REDS at 7 p.m. in Fredericton, N.B.

Recap by Allan April / SMU Huskies Athletics