Moncton defeats Acadia in Game 3 to sweep AUS semifinal series

The Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus defeated the Acadia Axemen 3-1 on Tuesday night in Game 3 of the AUS semifinal series.

Moncton completed a three-game sweep to advance to the conference final.

Acadia generated 35 shots on goal but was unable to convert enough chances. Moncton broke the tie in the third period with a power-play goal and later added an empty-net marker.

Liam Kidney scored the lone goal for the Axemen and won 15 of 22 faceoffs. Thomas Couture made 22 saves in net. Bailey Peach recorded an assist and two shots on goal, while Justin DeZoete also added an assist.

The opening period was scoreless. Both teams created opportunities, but goaltenders Couture and Olivier Adam turned aside several chances. Each side received power-play opportunities but could not capitalize. The period ended with the teams tied 0-0.

Moncton opened the scoring early in the second period. Jeremy D'Astous scored 17 seconds into the frame with assists from Mika Cyr and Jeremy Lapointe.

Acadia faced additional pressure later in the period when Conor Shortall was assessed a charging penalty. The Axemen successfully killed the penalty and later survived a five-minute Moncton power play.

Acadia tied the game late in the period. Kidney scored at 18:33, finishing a play set up by DeZoete and Peach. The teams entered the third period tied 1-1.

Moncton regained the lead in the third. Mika Cyr scored on the power play at 11:25 to give the Aigles Bleus a 2-1 advantage.

Acadia continued to generate shots, but Adam made several key saves to keep the visitors ahead. Moncton sealed the win at 18:26 when Cyr scored into the empty net with assists from Lapointe and Thomas Pelletier.

Cyr finished with two goals and one assist and was named the Boston Pizza Player of the Game. Lapointe recorded two assists, while Pelletier added one from the blue line. Adam made 34 saves in the victory.