REDS Hound Huskies In 7-3 Triumph
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS scored goals in bunches on Saturday afternoon in a 7-3 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies in Atlantic University Sport men's hockey action at UNB's Aitken Centre.
The REDS scored three times in a span of 50 seconds in the second period, including two separated by just six seconds.
The visitors opened the scoring mid-way through the opening frame when Bradey Johnson (Lindsay, ON) was left unchecked in front and re-directed a pass behind REDS' goalie Samuel Richard (Ste. Catherine, QC).
In an exciting second period, Mike Petizian (Mississauga, ON ) put UNB on the board less than three minutes in, but the Huskies replied less than a minute later, restoring their one goal advantage.
Charlie De Fonseca's (Thornhill, ON) shot appeared to strike the crossbar and cross the goal line and the goal judge did signal goal, but play continued. Only after a long conversation between officials and the goal judge was the goal confirmed.
Cue the UNB eruption.
Cole MacKay (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) scored on the power-play at 15:34 to pull the REDS even again.
44 seconds later, Kale McCallum (Rothesay, NB) put the REDS up 3-2 and just six seconds later, Petizian scored his second of the afternoon as UNB pushed their lead to 4-2.
"We're dangerous," said Petizian, named Tim Horton's Player of the Game. "We take what's given and they got a little sloppy and we took advantage."
Peter Reynolds (Fredericton, NB) scored twice in the third period, sandwiching Sean McGurn's (Ottawa, ON) goal.
Johnson added his second of the game, late, for the Huskies.
Richard recorded 23 saves on 26 shots to earn the win, while Justin Sumarah (Halifax, NS) made 32 saves on 39 shots for Saint Mary's.
"It's a great feeling," said Petizian, of the win. "Getting that win just before the break, before a month off, is huge and we hope to carry that into the new year."
The REDS finish the first half of their season with a 16-1-1-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL) record and atop the AUS standings.
Their next action will be Friday, January 10th, 2025, when they host the UPEI Panthers. Game time is 7:00pm.
"We practice until the 13th, so until then we're going to work hard every day," said Petizian. "After that, we'll enjoy some family time, some down time. That's always good. But we're going to get after it and try and get better every day."
The Huskies, now 9-6-2-0, will be back in action on Wednesday, when they travel to Acadia for a 7:00pm start.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics