(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS scored even strength, short-handed, on the power-play and into an empty net in a 4-2 win over the St. Thomas Tommies, in Atlantic University Sport women's hockey action, at Fredericton's Grant-Harvey Centre, on Wednesday night.
Lauren Carter (Milton, ON) scored twice for UNB and was named the Player of the Game.
"It's coming together," said Carter. "We've got good chemistry in the room, high energy always, and we're in the mindset that nothing can bring us down."
The home team opened the scoring at the 12:32 mark of the opening frame when Amy Dvernichuk (Regina, SK) beat REDS goalie Cassie McCallum (Rothesay, NB) from in close.
Just over a minute later, with UNB on the power-play, Carter tipped a point shot past Tommies' goalie Katie Sweeney (Techumseh, ON) to tie the score 1-1.
Carter's second goal of the game, short-handed, came in the second period.
She outraced a STU defender down the wing, swept across the front of the Tommies' net and lifted a back-hand past Sweeney to make it 2-1 REDS.
"Lindsey (Smith) threaded me the puck, like always, and I got the step on their girl, and I was able to pull that across and put it upstairs," said Carter.
Lily George (Nipissing First Nation) scored with 59 seconds to play in the period to give the REDS a 3-1 lead.
The Tommies took advantage of a UNB turnover mid-way through the third period to pull within a goal. Natalie Mackay (Salmon River, NS) stole the puck at the top of the left face-off circle before slipping it past McCallum.
Kately Scott scored UNB's empty-netter with just over two minutes left in the game.
"We responded really well after we got scored on," said REDS interim head coach Kyle MacDonald. "We really supported each other after that, and it was obvious. We took control from there on and were able to carry that into the second."
The REDS had to overcome a slow start. They didn't record their first shot on goal until after the 13:00 minute mark of the first period.
"We had to wake up after the first ten minutes," said Carter. "We came into the dressing room after the first period and re-grouped, talked about all our good habits. We worked on those and were successful."
Just as the REDS turned Wednesday's game around, Carter says her two-goal night marks a personal turnaround.
"I personally had a slow start to this season," she said. "I re-grouped with Coach Cass (Hilworth) so I could find a way tonight and it'll keep going from here."
McCallum made 24 saves on 26 shots to earn her fourth win of the season while Sweeney gave up three goals on 35 shots.
With the win, UNB is now 8-1-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL) and remains atop the AUS standings.
"When we're at our best, it's because we're greater than the sum of our parts and we're playing as a team. When that's going, good things are happening for us," said Coach MacDonald.
St. Thomas is now 5-2-1-0 and tied for third in the standings.
Up next for the REDS, a Saturday night home game against Moncton. Game time is 7:00pm.
The Tommies return to action on Saturday too. They're scheduled to visit Mount Allison for a 7:00pm start.
RECAP AND PHOTOS: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics