UNB Downs Moncton 7-4

(FREDERICTON, NB) In Atlantic University Sport's battle of New Brunswick, the UNB Varsity Reds defeated the U de Moncton Aigles Bleus 7-4, in Fredericton on Saturday night.

Kris Bennett(Brampton, ON) led the way for the Varsity Reds with a goal and four assists.

Chris Clapperton(Cap d'Espoir, QC) opened the scoring, just 1:28 in. UNB then scored twice more, off the sticks of Tyler Boland(St. John's, NL) and Alexandre Goulet(Disreali, QC) before the first period's end.

In the second period, Moncton's Robbie Graham(Richibuctou, NB) cut the lead to 3-1 before UNB's Cam Brace(Etobicoke, ON) restored the Varsity Reds' three goal advantage.

Stephen Anderson(Morrell, PE) scored twice in the third, along with Bennett, rounding out UNB's scoring.

Samuel Roussy(Paspébiac, QC), Jean-Francois Plante(Sherbrooke, QC), and Vincent Deslauriers(Blainville, QC) scored consecutive goals late in the third for the Aigles Bleus.

Clapperton and Anderson each had two assists to go along with their goals. Colin Suellentrop(Plantation, FLA) had a pair of assists too.

In a game where five UNB players scored multiple points, Anderson was quick to note the importance of sharing the puck. "I think everyone likes seeing your teammates succeed," he said. "As long as we're putting the pucks in the net, we usually have smiles on at the end of the night."

Rylan Parenteau(Saskatoon, SK) stopped 15 of the 19 shots he faced, while Brandon Thibeau(Riverview, NB) turned away 36 of 43 shots for Moncton.

Graham tipped his hat to Thibeau. "He's been keeping us in there," said Graham. "We haven't really been helping him [in the attack], but getting 50 shots against and only letting in seven goals, that's pretty good. He was unreal for us, once again."

Anderson was named the game's first star and Subway Player of the Game.

"We were moving the puck well, using our speed, and really cycling well, taking advantage of their defense down low," said Anderson, of his team's performance.

"It was tough, we lost all the battles tonight. We weren't first on the puck, so it's hard to win a game like that," said Moncton head coach Judes Vallée.

The Varsity Reds improve their record to 21-2-3, keeping them second in the AUS standings, while Moncton falls to 3-21-2.

The Aigles Bleus are back in action on Wednesday, when they visit the Dalhousie Tigers, while UNB travels to Saint Mary's for a Friday night matchup. Both games are scheduled to start at 7:00pm.

RECAP BY: Kristian D'Amore/for UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics