The
University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds improved their preseason
record to 3-0 with a 2-1 victory over the visiting UdeM Aigles Bleus in
front of 1,593
fans. UNB’s special teams were the difference again tonight with 2
power-play goals (2-8) and frustrating Moncton on the penalty kill
(4-4).
This brings Moncton’s record to 1-3 with their loan win coming last weekend in a 3-2 SO over Acadia.
Tyler
Carroll got UNB on the board early in the first with a power-play goal
from the face-off circle over the shoulder and under the bar on UdeM
goalie Brandon
Thibeau (assists to R. Gazzola & J. Murray). UNB extended their
lead even earlier in the second at 3:51 with another power-play marker
from the blue paint by Cam Braes (assists to Trainor & Petgrave).
Moncton countered with 7 minutes left in the period when
a wrist shot hit UNB goalie David Shantz’s glove, but tricked over and
in. Moncton pushed back after that to the end of the period and messy
neutral ice play by UNB was helping the Moncton cause, but Shantz made
some key saves and the period ended 2-1 for
UNB. UNB outshot Moncton 10-6 in the period.
The
third period was pretty even for the most part, but UNB did have the
edge in shots and hit 2 post, 4 for the game, that could have given the
Varsity Reds
a bigger cushion. A Matt Boudens interference penalty behind Moncton’s
net, with 1:44 left, put Moncton on the power-play until the end of the
game. Moncton took a time out with 1:03 left when Shantz covered the
puck for a stoppage. Moncton pulled their goalie
for the extra attacker, but UNB won the draw and was able to keep
Moncton penned in allowing no shots, but there were some nervous
moments as Moncton got the puck back into UNB’s end for the last 10secs –
followed by a clearing shot which ended the game.
- The final shots were 30-15 for UNB while 2-8 on the PP and 4-4 on the penalty kill.
- UNB’s
next game is next Saturday in Boston as they take on Boston College
(Chestnut Hill) who is ranked #2, with 3 first place votes, as voted on
by Hockey
East coaches. BC also claims freshman talent and top defensive prospect
in the upcoming NHL draft - Noah Hanifin. The next day they take on
UMaine (Orono) who is picked 9th in the same poll.
- Colin
Suellentrop made his UNB debut tonight. He arrived on campus earlier
this week having been released by the Arizona Coyotes last Sunday.
- Adrian Robertson was injured in the first period and did not return.
- Dylan
Willick was cross-checked into the boards behind the Moncton net
resulting in a 5-min Major+GM for Moncton defenseman Danick Emond at the
4min mark of
the 2nd period. Willick did return to play awhile later but
was obviously dazed after the hit. UNB was unable to capitalize and
extend their lead to 3-0.
- This is the 3rd
year in a row that UNB has played Moncton in the preseason, but the
first time since 1983 that they have played Moncton in a pre-season
game at the AUC.
- Rob Minardi did not play as he served his 1-game suspension for his 5min-major received in last weekend’s game vs Nipissing.
- The UNB Men’s Hockey Golf Tournament is October 9th at Kingswood Golf.
Special thanks to Eric Drummie of www.vredshockey.com for the game recap. All stats courtesy the RedSea Database.
