MacLean Hat Trick Leads Reds

(HALIFAX, NS) Jenna MacLean (Wilcox, SK) scored three times to lead the UNB Reds in a 5-1 win over the Dalhousie Tigers, in Halifax, on Sunday.

After a tight first two periods, the Reds broke out with four goals in the third to take the game.

It didn't take long for the Reds to get a prime opportunity, gaining a 5-on-3 advantage just four minutes into the game. The Tigers penalty kill was strong early to force the possession to stay along the outside and killed off the first penalty.

Just as the second penalty was being completed, MacLean was able to make a great fake to get around a Tigers defender and then send a hard shot under the blocker of Fabiana Petricca (Woodbridge, ON) to open the scoring.

The Reds opened the second period with a flurry of chances on Petricca, but the Tigers keeper was able to make stops to keep it a one-goal game.

After another Petricca save, the Tigers broke out of their own zone with Natalie Stanwood (West Vancouver, BC) leading the way. Stanwood crossed the blue line along the side boards and made her way toward the goal line before sending a pass into the slot for Brooklyn Paisley (Shawnigan Lake, BC) who beat Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, BC) to make it a 1-1 game.

The Tigers carried much of the momentum heading into the third period with the score tied.

Early in the third, the Reds found themselves on the power-play again, and it didn't take long for them to capitalize.

In a nearly identical play as the first goal, MacLean once again had the puck at the point and sent a hard slapshot through a crowd to give UNB a 2-1 lead.

Special teams play was critical for UNB.

After taking multiple penalties in the third, they were able to solidify their lead with a short-handed goal.

On a chip out their own end, Tamina Kehler (Chilliwack, BC) was able to break into the Tigers zone all alone. She made a great deke and easily moved around Petricca to slide the puck into the net.

With five minutes to go, the Tigers pulled Petricca while on the power-play.

UNB won the face-off and Hayley Halihan (Miramichi, NB) found the back of the empty net.

The Tigers pulled Petricca a second time, but once again the Reds found the empty net, MacLean completing the hat-trick and earning Subway Player of the Game honours.

The Tigers finish the first half of the season on Friday when they travel to UPEI.

The Reds will have two more before the break, hosting St. Thomas on Wednesday at 7:00pm, before visiting UPEI on Saturday.

RECAP BY: Kirk Jessome/for Dal Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Trevor MacMillan/for Dal Athletics