REDS Score Road Win

(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE) Emmett Sproule (Collingwood, ON) scored a goal and added an assist as the UNB REDS beat the UPEI Panthers 3-1 Saturday night, in Atlantic University Sport men's hockey action in Charlottetown.

Missing four of their top six forwards, the Panthers put up a valiant effort but were outmatched by the REDS' potent attack and disciplined defence. 

Along with Sproule, Peter Reynolds (Fredericton, NB) and Cody Morgan (Gilford, ON) also scored in the win.

UNB opened the scoring, on the power-play, at 11:49 of the first period. Sproule jarred the puck loose along the boards on the forecheck and sent a cross-ice pass to Reynolds, who buried a one-timer past Panthers' goaltender Joe Ranger (Carp, ON).

Coming out of the first intermission, the REDS had 26 seconds remaining on another power-play and wasted no time doubling their lead.

Just 21 seconds into the second, Morgan passed the puck to the point to Sam McGinley (Calgary, AB) who quickly returned it, setting up a one-timer by Morgan. 

UNB had the Panthers on their heels five minutes later and delivered another blow.

Oscar Plandowski (Halifax, NS) unleashed a shot from the blue line that was deflected in front by Sproule, extending the REDS' lead to 3-0 at the 6:08 mark.

Though the game seemed to be slipping away, UPEI showed resilience.

At 15:26, Carter McCluskey (Grand Bay-Westfield, NB) found a loose puck in front of the UNB net and tucked it past the outstretched leg of goaltender Samuel Richard (Ste. Catherine, QC) to cut the deficit to 3-1.

The third period saw the REDS lock down defensively, keeping UPEI off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game.

Richard's 16-save performance helped seal the win for UNB, while Ranger did all he could for the Panthers, stopping 22 shots in a losing effort.

The Panthers, now 0-4-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL) will look to rebound as they hit the road for the first time next Friday, taking on the STFX X-Men.

The REDS travel to Wolfville Friday to face the Acadia Axemen.

Both games are scheduled for 7:00pm starts.

RECAP BY: Thomas Becker/UPEI Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Janessa Vanden Broek/for UPEI Athletics