(HALIFAX, NS) It took a last-second effort, but the UNB Varsity Reds defeated the Saint Mary's Huskies 6-5, in AUS men's hockey action Friday night, in Halifax.

Phil Halley scored his second goal of the game with just three seconds left, as the Varsity Reds won their sixth straight game and moved to within two points of the top team in the AUS standings.

UNB got on the board first when Phillipe Maillet scored from the circle off a rebound at 8:48 to make it 1-0.

The Huskies immediately responded, when Stephen MacAulay tallied on a one-timer at 8:55.

Saint Mary's went ahead when Gerrad Grant potted a marker from in close, off a nice pass, to make it 2-1.

Francis Beauvillier tied it 2-2 and that's how the first period ended.

In the second, Saint Mary's took the lead when Anthony Repaci converted a pass from behind the net on the power-play, to make the score 3-2.

Jordan Murray pulled UNB even, before Beauvillier scored his second of the night to give the VReds a 4-3 lead.

Saint Mary's tied in 4-4 early in the third.

Halley, named the Subway player of the game, restored UNB's lead off a back-hand, at 5:57.

MacAuley looked to force overtime with his second of the night with less than a minute left.

Halley's winner wasn't pretty, but counted… giving UNB the 6-5 win.

The Varsity Reds outshot the Huskies 31-21.

Alex Dubeau made 16 saves to get the win for the Varsity Reds.

Marc Terriault stopped 25 shots in goal for the Huskies.

The Varsity Reds continue their weekend road-trip, in Wolfville, on Saturday night.

They face the Axemen, in what is now a battle for first place in the AUS.

Game time is 7:00PM.

BY – SMU ATHLETICS

PHOTO CREDIT: NICK PEARCE