(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Varsity Reds proved too much for an under-staffed St. Thomas Tommies team, Wednesday night.
Cameron Brace scored once and assisted on three other goals as UNB improved to 4-and-0 on the season, with a 5-1 win.
Francis Beauvillier opened the scoring at 7:46 of the first period, jumping on a rebound to the left of Tommies' netminder Tyson Teichmann.
Two minutes later, Philippe Maillet put UNB up 2-0. His goal, on a nice shot from the face-off circle, would stand as the winner.
Brace made quick work of another UNB power-play, early in the second period. Just 14 seconds into the man advantage, he came off the wing to drive Maillet's cross-crease pass into the STU net.
Dylan Willick scored his first of the season before the home squad would get on the board. Rankyn Campbell's power-play marker made it 4-1 and would be the only goal allowed by UNB goalie Etienne Marcoux. He made 19 saves, as UNB outshot STU 31-20.
Varsity Reds' captain Cam Critchlow scored in the third period to round out the scoring.
UNB head coach Gardiner MacDougall feels scoring first gave his team an advantage. "We had two games at home where we didn't score first. I think the first goal can, sometimes, dictate a lot of how the game will go."
The Tommies are dealing with injuries and absences, but MacDougall says they're not a team that can be taken lightly. "With Kyle(McAllister) and Kevin(Pottle) there, they're going to give an honest effort every night and they did tonight."
The Varsity Reds now break from their Atlantic University Sport regular season schedule for two exhibition games this weekend. On Friday, they visit the University of Maine. Saturday sees the VReds in Boston, to take on Harvard.
PHOTO CREDIT – BRIAN SMITH