(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Varsity Reds scored a pair of power-play goals as they beat Poland's national men's team 4-1 on Sunday afternoon, at UNB's Aitken University Centre.
Chris Clapperton(Cap d'Espoir, QC) and Kris Bennett(Brampton, ON) each had a goal and an assist to lead the Varsity Reds.
"They were stronger in the second, but we had a good first period," said Clapperton, named the game's first star. "They were bigger than teams in our league, might've had a bit more experience. They want to make their team, so that was a good test for us."
Tyler Boland(St. John's, NL) and Oliver Cooper(Fredericton, NB) also scored for UNB, while Matt Murphy(Woodstock, NB) had a pair of assists.
Krystian Dziubinski(Nowy Targ, Pol.) scored for Poland, a power-play goal mid-way through the second period.
"I thought it was exactly what we were looking for," said Ted Nolan, head coach of Team Poland. "In order to get better, get to the next level, you have to play better teams and different styles."
Nolan feels Sunday's game, against Canada's two-time defending university hockey champs, was a learning experience for the Poles.
"How to separate the man from the puck, how to create two on ones, how to jump up on the play, how to get back hard… today was a perfect example," he said. "We have defence now that are starting to read the play a bit better and that was probably our best game, in terms of reading and reacting to plays, since I've been here."
UNB outshot Poland 34-28.
Alex Dubeau(Mascouche, QC) and Rylan Parenteau(Saskatoon, SK) split time in the UNB net.
Dubeau made 11 saves on 11 shots in 20 minutes of play, while Parenteau made 16 saves on 17 shots in his two periods of action.
"It was fun," said Parenteau. "I was excited for this opportunity and grateful that Coach gave me the two periods here."
"It was a little bit different style of hockey. They played us hard. They weren't letting up on any checks or anything, so it was a close game. It was good competition, just like any other night here."
The Varsity Reds next see action on December 29th, when they host the Ryerson Rams in the first game of the annual Peterbilt Atlantic Pete Kelly Cup. Game time is 7:00pm.
The second game of the Pete Kelly Cup goes December 30th, at 4:00pm.
RECAP AND PHOTO BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics