The last two CIS champions played Friday what perhaps could be a preview of this year's Cavendish University Cup at the Aitken University Centre in Fredericton. Unfortunately a snowstorm descended on the region a few hours after the Huskies left Halifax, and credit should be given to the just over a thousand die-hard UNB fans who braved the weather to get to the AUC for the big game.
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Photo Courtesy Brian Smith |
The second period was very different from the first. There were a lot of penalties called, and the strong play of the SMU special teams appeared to give the Huskies energy. There were also a lot more pushing and shoving incidents after whistles that bogged down the flow of the period, most notably at 7:51 when Corcoran drove the net, Conway made the save, and SMU captain Justin Munden (Halifax, NS) took exception to the UNB player standing in the blue paint. Other players paired off, and Lucas Bloodoff (Castlegar, BC) came off the bench to mix it up with UNB defenceman Bretton Stamler (Edmonton, AB). Those two players were given 10-minute misconducts, with SMU assessed a bench minor for too many men on the ice in a situation that threatened to get out of hand.
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Photo Courtesy Brian Smith |
The third period saw UNB take back the momentum when the teams were five-on-five, and they also benefited from a bit of a meltdown by a veteran Huskies defenceman. When David MacDonald (Baddeck, NS) was called for hooking Jeff Lee as he drove the SMU net, Andrew Hotham (Barrie, ON) argued the call and was given a 10-minute misconduct by referee Jeff Hopkins. Then at 8:35 Bailey got tied up in the crease with Conway, well behind the play. The SMU players were up in arms, and for some reason the Huskies were assessed a bench minor. A visibly upset Hotham, still in the penalty box, must have said something to the officials, because he was given a game misconduct and sent to the dressing room, slamming doors as he went. Adding insult to injury, UNB scored on the subsequent power play as once again MacIntosh skated across the front of the net and put the puck up and over a sprawling Conway. The V-Reds were pretty much in control the rest of the way, and outshot the Huskies 14-2 in the period and 33-23 in the game.
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Photo Courtesy Brian Smith |
Game Notes: The three stars were 1. Lachlan MacIntosh 2. Kyle Bailey 3. Cory Tanaka. UNB was 2-for-9 on the power play while SMU was 1-for-8. Before the ceremonial faceoff UNB defenceman Luke Gallant was awarded the Mike Cavanagh Memorial scholarship by J. J. Kennedy. Also, former UNB head coach Don MacAdam was on hand to give out the inaugural Don MacAdam Leadership Award to Bretton Stamler. This new award was initiated by members of the 1983-84 UNB team at their reunion last year in honour of their beloved coach. With their 12th win at home the V-Reds are now 16-4-0 for the season, and they have clinched a playoff berth with eight games remaining in the schedule. UNB hosts third place StFX Saturday night.
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