(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds scored four goals in the first period and four more in the third on route to a 10-0 win over the Dalhousie Tigers on Friday night.
The win was the 500th of Reds' head coach Gardiner MacDougall's illustrious career.
MacDougall, in his 20th season behind the Reds bench, has coached UNB to 400 Atlantic University Sport regular season victories and 100 AUS playoff game and University Cup game wins.
"It means I've had a lot of good players," said MacDougall, when asked what the milestone meant. "You don't get to that without a lot of good players. I've been really fortunate here, right from the first year and on. A lot of good people and a lot of good players."
MacDougall's 500th win came on Teddy Bear Toss Night at UNB's Aitken Centre.
When Samuel Dove-McFalls (Montreal, QC) opened the scoring at 3:46 of the first period, 1443 stuffed animals were thrown from the stands. They'll be distributed by the Salvation Army during the holiday season.
Dove-McFalls took a drop pass from Mark Rassell (Calgary, AB) and wired a shot past Tigers goalie Reilly Pickard (Halifax, NS).
"Beautiful play," said Dove-McFalls. "Benny Gagne stepping up and reading the play well, made a good play to Rass in the middle. I just called for it. I don't know if he saw me or just heard me, but it was a perfect pass, right in the wheelhouse."
After the stuffed animals had been removed from the ice, the Reds proceeded to stuff the Tigers net.
Alexandre Goulet (Disraeli, QC) scored at 8:15, giving the home team a 2-0 lead.
25 seconds later, at 8:40, Tyler Boland (St. John's, NL) made it 3-0 Reds.
UNB was then forced to kill off a 5-on-3 situation, where the Tigers had only limited opportunities.
As the first of the two UNB penalties expired, Rassell emerged from the box, took possession of the puck at the Reds blue line and raced in alone, beating Pickard blocker side to put the home team up 4-0.
Things appeared to settle, somewhat, in the second period.
The Reds continued to push, but Pickard was able to find some level of comfort and held the line until the 14:41 mark, when Rassell scored his second of the game.
At 18:22, Dove-McFalls followed with his second of the game and the Reds were up 6-0.
The UNB onslaught continued in the third.
Stephen Anderson (Morell, PE) scored twice, while Matthew Boucher (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Matt Murphy (Fredericton, NB) added singles.
"Any time you lose 10-0, guys are frustrated," said Tigers captain Colton Heffley (Swift Current, SK). "You don't want to think too much about the game, but you want to think about it enough so that you learn from it and bring something new tomorrow."
The Reds outshot the Tigers 58-11.
Pickard gave up eight goals on 43 shots, while Kevin Resop (St. Petersburg, Fla.) allowed two goals on 15 shots.
"Reilly played a hell of a game," said Heffley. "We didn't help him. We left him out there to dry for a long time."
Rylan Parenteau (Saskatoon, SK) earned the shut-out in the Reds net.
16 Reds recorded points in the win, including nine with multiple point nights.
Rassell finished with two goals and two assists, while Goulet had a goal and two assists.
"Amazing team effort tonight, probably one of our best efforts of the year so far. I'm really happy with the way we played," said Dove-McFalls.
The Reds are now 11-and-4, and host the St FX X-Men on Saturday. Game time is 7:00pm, at UNB's Aitken Centre.
The Tigers fall to 3-10-2. Dal visits Moncton on Saturday.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics