Patriotes, Redbirds advance to U Sports men’s hockey semifinals

Simon Lafrance scored once and added four assists as the University of Quebec TroisRivieres Patriotes defeated the Moncton Aigles Bleus in Friday’s quarterfinal action in the U Sports men’s hockey championship.

Felix Lafrance scored twice on the power play for the second-ranked Patriotes, while Charles Beaudoin and Kaylen Gauthier added singles. Alexis Gravel stopped 34 of 37 shots for the Patriotes.

Jeremy Lapointe scored for the Aigles Blues, who trailed 3-0 after the first period and 5-1 heading into the third. The Aigles Bleus outshot the Patriotes 37-20 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.

The Patriotes will face the McGill Redbirds in the semifinals. The Redbirds upset the third-ranked UBC Thunderbirds 3-2 in Friday’s late game.

Stephane Huard’s goal eight minutes into the third period snapped a 2-2 tie and allowed the Redbirds to upset the T-Birds.

Former Medicine Hat Tiger Josh Williams had a goal and assist for the Thunderbirds, while Tian Rask added a single.

Williams is one of six former Tigers playing at the USports championships. Cyle McNabb, and Kaeden Lane are on the Thunderbirds and Brendan Lee, Dallon Melin and Jaeger White are on the University of Calgary Dinos.

“That’s what makes our league so a great, you have the opportunity to play against the best players 16 and 20, hopefully you sign a NHL contract and if not, you have the best backup plan there is and that’s to get your education paid for while playing at a high level hockey,” Tigers’ associate coach

Joe Frazer said. “We’ve had lots of guys win national championships and it’s always a proud moment you just watch them grow from 15 to 20 and then they move on and you’re hoping they can win national championship get a degree and you know pursue pursue hockey after or start their professional lives.”