Huskies Hand Reds First Loss

(FREDERICTON, NB) Aaron Berisha (Mississauga, ON) scored twice, including the overtime winner, as the Saint Mary's Huskies beat the UNB Reds 2-1 on Saturday.

The loss was the first for UNB this season.

Berisha beat UNB goalie Alex Dubeau (Mascouche, QC), stick side, with a low wrist shot at 3:34 of overtime.

"I had a bunch of options, but I cut to the middle and had a lane to shoot and it just went in," said Berisha. "He (Dubeau) follows the puck really well, so I was lucky to get that goal."

The third year Commerce major opened the scoring when he beat Dubeau at 8:26 of the first period.

The power-play goal gave the Huskies a 1-0 lead.

UNB answered seven minutes later.

Tyler Boland (St. John's, NL) scored his fourth of the season to tie the game.

In the second and third periods, Dubeau and Huskies netminder Eric Brassard (St. Hubert, QC) were the stars of the show, holding two potent offenses at bay.

Posts and crossbars were hit by both teams, but neither could find an opening through the end of regulation.

UNB defenceman Randy Gazzola (Thorold, ON) rung a shot of the post with less than ten seconds to play, setting the stage for extra time.

Despite his overtime heroics, Berisha was named the game's third star, behind Dubeau and Brassard, named Subway Player of the Game.

"Brassard stood on his head," acknowledged Berisha. "As long as we got the W, that's what we came here for. It felt like we got robbed last weekend against these guys, and tonight we paid the price and good things happened for us."

"We're not happy with the end result tonight, but we're happy with the way we're playing right now," said Dubeau, who stopped 23 of the 25 shots he face.

Dubeau believes the Reds and Huskies will be dueling all season long.

"It's going to be like that all year against them," he said. "They're a pretty good team. It's always tight, always emotional against them."

With the win, Saint Mary's improves to 7-1-1.

UNB's record is 7-0-1.

The two teams continue to sit atop the Atlantic University Sport standings.

Both are back in action on Tuesday evening.

Saint Mary's visits St FX, while UNB travels to Moncton. Both games are scheduled to start at 7:00pm.

RECAP AND PHOTOS BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics