VReds Stun Tigers In Comeback

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Varsity Reds scored three times in the third period to tie Dalhousie… and then beat the visiting Tigers in a shootout.

In a most remarkable comeback, Philippe Maillet(Terrebonne, QC) needed just 7:58 to score three times.

That hat-trick erased a 4-1 deficit.

Maillet and Cam Brace(Markham, ON) scored in the shootout, capping UNB's amazing rally and giving the VReds a 5-4 victory.

"To close a game like this, it feels pretty good," said Maillet. "Coach always reminds us that the game is 60 minutes, not 55 or 50, and we pride ourselves in winning third periods."

The Tigers looked ready to hand the Varsity Reds their first loss in regulation this season.

Colton Parsons(Kingston, NS) and Kelly Bent(Halifax, NS) scored 1:33 apart in the first period, as Dal raced out to a 2-0 lead.

Jordan Murray(Riverview, NB) trimmed Dal's lead to one goal before the end of the first period.

The Tigers scored two more goals in the second period.

Myles McGurty(Hoboken, NJ) and Jesse Lussier(Petawawa, ON) both scored power-play goals to give Dal a 4-1 lead after two periods.

UNB's comeback didn't start until 11:21 of the third period.

Working with the man advantage, Maillet converted a Murray feed to make it 4-2.

With 1:16 left on the clock, and with UNB again on the power-play, Maillet connected again.

Then, at 19:23, with the Varsity Reds' net empty, Maillet scored to tie it.

"Our second goal kind of gave us wings," Maillet said. "You could feel the machine starting to go, and when we got another with one minute left, we knew."

Maillet assisted on Murray's goal, while Murray assisted on all three of Maillet's

"It was okay," Murray said, of his four point night. "I would've liked to have not been on the ice for their goals, but we won, so it doesn't matter."

Murray, the reigning USports Canada defenceman of the year, paid credit to Maillet.

"I think he's the best player in this league, hands down," he said. "He's a big player. In big games, he shows up."

Tigers head coach Chris Donnelly said his team let one get away.

"You don't give national champion guys extra time or extra guys on the ice to beat you," he said. "We're more of a pressure team. We don't like to be back on our heels, and that last three minutes was just that, guys hanging on and playing the clock, not playing the game."

"Full credit to our opponent," said Varsity Reds head coach Gardiner MacDougall. "I thought they played an outstanding game. I don't think we were as ready as we needed to be, but all is well that ends well."

The Tigers visit Charlottetown on Saturday, to take on the UPEI Panthers.

The Varsity Reds are back in action at the Aitken Centre.

They'll host the St. FX X-Men, who beat the Varsity Reds in overtime last Saturday.

Game time is 7:00PM.