X-Women skate to 3-1 win over Aigles Bleues

Alex Normore scored a pair of goals and Sojung Shin made 22 saves to lead the StFX X-Women (14-3-2) to a 3-1 victory over the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues (10-9-1) Saturday night in AUS hockey action at the Keating Centre in Antigonish.

"I am so happy to get the win," Shin, a freshman goaltender from Seoul, South Korea, said after the game.

Natacha Bergeron, on a late power play with 1:08 remaining in regulation, was the only Moncton player to solve Shin, who had no chance on the rebound shot off a goal-mouth scramble.

Marika Lacroix, the team captain, and Karine Roy had the assists for the visitors.

At 5:14 of the third period, Antigonish native Jenna Pitts scored on a slap shot, which hit the goal post and trickled over the goal line behind Aigles Bleues goaltender Gabrielle Forget.

Paige Belair and Jaelei Meyer drew assists on the third X-Women goal.

StFX opened the scoring at 3:34 of the first period on a marker by Normore. She put the rebound off a Daley Oddy shot on the rush behind Forget. Taylor Dale had the other assist on Normore's 10th goal of the regular season.

"We did what we wanted to do. We have to continue to work hard and be the first to pucks," Normore said during a first intermission interview.

The X-Women also killed a 5-on-3 disadvantage in the opening frame that lasted 1:25, with Shin making a couple of key saves.

In a second period dominated by the X-Women territorially, Normore gave the home team a 2-0 lead at 8:59.

Forget made a great save on the initial shot from the slot by Normore, who took a nifty pass from behind the net from Daley Oddy. The senior forward from Bedford, Nova Scotia, deposited the rebound on the backhand.

Heather Tillsley also assisted on the goal.

"We are battling hard and we got some momentum," Belair said after the second period.

Alex Normore was named Subway player of the game for her efforts. She continues to lead the country in scoring, her two goals on the evening giving her 38 points on the season (11 G, 27 A).

The X-Women donned specialty purple jerseys and socks for their second annual fundraiser and awareness game for ALS.

With the win the CIS ranked No. 8 X-Women move into sole possession of first place in the AUS conference, two points ahead of Saint Mary's.

StFX returns to action Wednesday, Feb. 5, when they host the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers (8-11-1). Game time is 7:30 at the Keating Centre.

Moncton next sees action on Friday, Feb. 7th in Halifax when they will play the Dalhousie Tigers.

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