STU’s Men’s hockey team continued their slump on Friday with a 4 – 1 loss to Universite de Moncton. The Tommies have slid to 3-8-1 on the season, and are now sixth place in the AUS.
Early on in the first period, it was clear that Moncton wanted to win more than the Tommies. Moncton battled hard for pucks in the offensive zone, trying to create scoring chances down low, while the Tommies’ forecheck, on the other hand, was noticeably weak.
With 14:36 remaining in the period, Moncton’s hard work paid off. Pierre-Andre Bureau received a pass in front of the Tommies’ net, deked Ben McFarlane and shot the puck into the bottom corner of the net.
With less than a minute left in the first period, Moncton would score another to make it 2-0. Mathieu Betournay received a pass from the point, and one timed the puck through McFarlane’s legs.
The Tommies came out with a much better effort in the second period. Early in the period, it looked as though the Tommies scored, but the Referee ruled that it hit the crossbar.
The Tommies continued to get scoring chances after the near goal, but Moncton goalie Kevin Lachance was incredible in net.
Halfway through the period, Kenton Dulle skated to the front of the net and took a hard wrist shot on goal, but Lachance was there to make the save.
A little while later, Lachance stopped a one-timer taken at point blank range to keep his shutout going.
With 5:10 remaining in the second period, Moncton got a 3 on 1 rush in the Tommies zone. Remi Gatreau took a slapshot that beat McFarlane high glove side, making it 3-0 for Moncton.
About one minute later, Matt Eagles got a partial breakaway to the front of the net, after fighting off a Moncton defenseman. Eagles tried to beat Lachance with a low, backhand shot. But Lachance stretched out his right pad to make another big save.
Heading into the third, the Tommies had an uphill battle. They were down by three goals and Kevin Lachance looked like a brick wall in net.
But, just four minutes into the period, the Tommies were given a 5 on 3 power play. Head coach Mike Eagles called a time out to rally his team. The plan didn’t work. The Tommies’ sputtering offense failed to produce a goal, or even good scoring chances.
With 8:32 remaining in the game the Tommies finally got a goal. Mike Reich finished off a nice passing play with Wes Welcher and Kenton Dulle, bringing the Tommies within two goals.
The Tommies would not get any closer. With 45 seconds remaining, Moncton scored an empty netter to finish the game.
“Not everyone came out to play,” said Tommies captain Erick Tremblay. “We need to have 24 guys show up.”
The Tommies have now lost five games in a row, scoring just six goals in the process.
“I don’t think the guys work hard enough right now to score in this league,” said head coach Mike Eagles. “I don’t think they dislike losing enough.”
