REDS Upset By Rams

(WOLFVILLE, NS) The UNB REDS season has come to an end after losing a close 2-1 decision to the Ryerson Rams in the quarter-final round of the U SPORTS Men's Hockey Championship, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

"It was two teams, really good teams, playing each other and they found a way to be one goal better," said UNB head coach Gardiner MacDougall. "We're a team that's thrived on winning one-goal games this season and today was a heart wrencher for the program."

The Rams didn't waste any time opening the scoring. Just 17 seconds in, Rams' forward Kevin Gursoy (LaSalle, ON) was able to take a fortuitous bounce off the boards from a dump-in by Ryan Wells (Mississauga, ON). Gursoy was able to put the puck past REDS' goaltender Rylan Parenteau (Saskatoon, SK) to give the Rams the early lead.

The Rams started the second period just as quickly, scoring on the powerplay, just 1:40 in. Domenico Commisso (Oakville, ON) took a pass at the point and deked a diving UNB defender and beat a screened Parenteau to increase Ryerson's lead to 2-0.

In the third period, down two goals UNB was finally able to get on the board 7:35 in. REDS' captian Samuel Dove-McFalls (Montreal, QC) tipped a point shot from Ryan Roth (St, Louis, MO) to bring UNB within one.

Rams' goalie Garrett Forrest was tough to solve Friday. He made 36 saves, none bigger than one with 4:34 left in the 3rd period. Forrest was able to get across the net on a cross-crease pass in time to stop REDS forward Mark Rassell, who was left wide open in front of the net.

Friday's loss ends UNB's season, one that was filled with many challenges, but the team was able to stay resilient throughout.

"This team has written a story at UNB that's never been written before," said Coach MacDougall. "I can't say enough about their resilience coming back from injuries and giving us a lot of tremendous moments this season. Unfortunately, this moment isn't one of those tremendous moments. Nothing but full credit to the group this year. They've stuck together throughout the season. Our objective was to get here. Obviously, we would've liked to see it go a bit longer."

The game also marks the end of the university career of Dove-McFalls.

"It's a disappointment obviously, but when I look back on my four years at UNB I was grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of this program and win a national championship in my first year," said Dove-McFalls. "I'm just grateful for the last four years I've had here at UNB. When I look back, it's definitely not a decision I'm going to regret."

RECAP: Evan Richtsfeld/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS: Peter Oleskevich/for Acadia Athletics