REDS Struggle To Find Consistency on Day Two of U SPORTS Championships

(FREDERICTON, NB) It was a busy day of action for the UNB REDS on day two of the U SPORTS Curling Championships in Fredericton.

The day kicked off for the UNB women with a matchup against the University of Victoria Vikes.

Despite a closely contested match throughout, with UNB holding a narrow 4-3 lead at the halfway mark, the Vikes responded with a double in the sixth.

However, it was a steal of three from the Vikes in the seventh end that proved costly for the REDS, who fell behind and were unable to recover, eventually conceding to the Vikes after the ninth end, 10-5.

In the afternoon, it was a rematch of the Atlantic University Sport final from February as the REDS faced off against the Dalhousie Tigers.

It was an even first half, with the Tigers holding a narrow 5-3 lead after scoring a double in the fifth end.

The REDS took over in the second half, scoring a triple in the sixth before stealing two from the Tigers in the seventh.

UNB finished things off with another three-point end in the ninth, and Dalhousie chose to shake hands, handing the REDS their first win of the tournament, 11-6.

The UNB men started day two by facing the Regina Cougars.

The REDS fell behind early, conceding a double in the first end, followed by back-to-back steals by the Cougars, giving them a 4-0 lead.

UNB managed to score two in the fifth end, but that was as close as they got, as the Cougars added a double in the sixth end and then stole two from the REDS in the seventh, ultimately clinching a 9-2 victory.

It was a tough night for the REDS in the evening draw facing the Alberta Golden Bears.

The REDS struggled to find any momentum in the game giving up a triple in the first end before the Bears went on to steal five consecutive ends to take a commanding 11-0 lead.

The teams shook hands in the eighth end with the REDS falling 11-1.

Both teams are back in action on Thursday.

The women (1-2) get started at 8:30 am against the McMaster Marauders before taking on the Laurentian Voyageurs in the afternoon draw at 4:30 pm. Both games will take place at the Aitken Centre.

The men (1-2) start the day with a match against a familiar opponent in the Saint Mary’s Huskies at 12:30 pm at the Aitken Centre before finishing off day three against the Laurier Golden Hawks at the Capital Winter Club at 8:30 pm.

RECAP BY: Evan Richtsfeld/ UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Rob Blanchard/ for Curling Canada