The UNB Varsity Reds men's hockey team posted a decisive 6-1 victory over the St Thomas Tommies as they hosted the most recent Battle of the Hill and the 23rd annual Mark Jeffrey Memorial Game.
The Varsity Reds, who are tied with Acadia for first in the AUS, now move to a record of 19-3-2. The eight-ranked Tommies move to a record of 2-18-4.
St. Thomas got on the board first and fast as the game opened up with some energetic play. Just two and a half minutes in, UNB goalie David Shantz got tied up in a scramble in front of his net and Matt McLeod put one past him. The assist went to Marc-Andrew Levesque and Bryce Milson.
The Varsity Reds tied it up at around the sixth minute. Philippe Halley picked up a great turnover from Dana Fraser and managed to break out around the Tommies' defence to drive it high past Philippe Trudeau.
UNB moved into the lead with just over five minutes left in the first when Peter Trainor bounced a shot off a Tommie's defender and into the net.
The V-Reds extended their lead right off the bat in the second when, less than a minute in, Fraser picked up a feed from Randy Gazzola.
But from that point on, Trudeau was nearly untouchable in the net for St Thomas, stopping a barrage of shots numbering well into the double digits.
UNB managed to get their fourth goal at the eighteenth minute, and what a goal it was. Halley snuck a pass to Philippe Maillet who manage to flick it in while diving through mid-air. Maillet, who is in his second year with the V-Reds, currently leads the AUS in points.
The V-Reds would post two more goals in the third period, both on the power play. Fraser would pick up his second of the night and his ninth in eight games with UNB. The assist went to Jordan Murray and Cameron Brace. UNB would wrap it up with another at 14:15 when Cam Braes got a piece of a point shot from Matt Petgrave to take the game 6-1.
The Varsity Reds play next when they host Acadia on Friday, January 30, at 7pm.
The Tommies play next when they head to StFX at the same time.