Gazzola Scores OT winner for VReds
(FREDERICTON, NB) Randy Gazzola's goal 7:46 into overtime gave the UNB Varsity Reds a 4-3 win over the St.FX X-Men, in AUS hockey action, at the Aitken Centre.
St.FX X-Men came to town with a 1-0 record to take on the Varsity Reds, who also began the night 1-0.
It was a fast first period, both teams playing transition hockey. Lots of dump and chase made for many battles on the boards and some rough stuff from both teams.
While only four penalty calls were made in the first period, it was Chris Caissy paying the highest price. He went to the box on a 2 minute contact to the head penalty which includes a 10 minute misconduct.
St.FX capitalized as Cameron Brace served Caissy's minor penalty, taking only four seconds to pop their first goal past UNB goalie Etienne Marcoux. Eric Locke beat Marcoux off a face-off in the UNB zone.
UNB got on the board in the second period when Francis Beauvillier beat X goalie Drew Owsley.
Three minutes later, X used the power play to take the lead again. Blake Gal used a screen to beat the UNB netminder.
But, with less than 3 minutes to play in the second, Cameron Brace evened things again, sending the teams to the second intermission with the score tied at two a piece.
Just over two minutes into the third period, Craig Dunnick put the X-Men back in front.
"I'm a fifth year guy and an assistant captain on the team, so I have to play my part to make sure I'm leading the team in the right direction."
BY MICHAEL BOURGEOIS FOR UNB COMMUNICATIONS