McCallum Backstops REDS To W

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS top line scored two goals to drive the home team in a 2-1 victory over the visiting Saint Mary's Huskies, Friday night at UNB's Aitken Center.

Linemates, Lily George (Nipissing First Nation) and Katelyn Scott (Almonte, ON) were the two REDS to score.

The veteran George leads all Atlantic University Sport scorers with 33 points while Scott, a rookie, is right behind her with 30.

"With that line [Scott, George, and Payton Hargreaves (Whitby, ON)] they earn everything they get," said REDS' interim head coach Kyle MacDonald. "If you look at that first goal tonight, it was a second effort. That wasn't a gift by any means. They had to work every bit for that goal. When you look at the majority of the success they've had, it's been a result of hard work, good habits, and playing the right way."

REDS goaltender Cassie McCallum (Rothesay, NB) earned Tim Horton's Player of the Game honours, stopping 17 of 18 shots. 

"The girls in front of me played hard," said McCallum. "They let me see pucks and they gave me every opportunity to play well. I couldn't have done it without them."

Both teams brought intensity, showing that they're ready for the upcoming AUS playoffs.

The majority of the first period unfolded in the neutral zone, with both teams showcasing strong performances, both offensively and defensively.

At the period's halfway mark, the REDS had their best opportunity.

George danced around a Huskies defender and found Scott wide open in front of the net. Huskies' goalie Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB) tracked the play and stopped the shot.

Scott was the first to find the back of the net though, at 14:25 of the second period. 

While breaking down the wing on a two-on-one with George, Scott made a shot to Hansen's pad, collecting her own rebound and firing the puck into the top of the net making it a 1-0 game.

With 17 seconds left in the period, George made waves of her own, passing the puck to Mackenzie Keenan (Midhurst, ON) as she rounded the top of the face-off circle. Keenan passed the puck back to George, who fired one-timer past Hansen.

"Tonight, the girls really showed up," McCallum added. "Everyone was playing hard, playing gritty, and driving the net. We had some great second efforts tonight, and the girls were really putting their bodies on the line. I think that was key in our success tonight."

In the third period, on a breakaway, Aimee O'Neill (Glace Bay, NS) managed to hold off pressure from a REDS defender, scoring the first Huskies goal, beating McCallum glove side.

The Huskies then gave their best effort, but with a strong REDS defence, and incredible goaltending from McCallum, UNB held on, winning the game 2-1.

The REDS, now 20-5-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL) and tied in first in the AUS standings, return to action on Saturday, hosting the STFX X-Women. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00pm.

"We're feeling good about tomorrow," noted Coach MacDonald. "It's an exciting time for our team right now. Getting the opportunity to play one of our big rivals, especially near the end of the year. We have two teams that are dialing in and getting into those good habits. I'm really excited, it's going to be a great opportunity for our group."

Saint Mary's hits the ice again on Saturday, visiting St. Thomas.

Game time 7:00pm.

RECAP BY: Madison Tucker/for UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Fran Harris/for UNB Athletics