Reds Knock Off No. 3 UPEI

(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE) The UNB Reds capped a 3-and-0 week with their second win over a U SPORTS top three team in five days, a 1-0 victory over the No. 3 ranked UPEI Panthers.

On Wednesday, the Reds knocked off the No. 2 ranked Saint Mary's Huskies.

The win, the fourth in a row for UNB, put them back in the hunt for a first round Atlantic University Sport playoff bye. In a now crowded conference, the fourth-place Reds sit within five points of first place.

Forward Sage McElroy-Scott (Morden, MB) netted the game-winner, at 3:28 of the third period.

"It was pure excitement," McElroy-Scott said of her team's win. "This is our third game this week and we went 3-for-3 which was huge for us. We've always had tough games versus UPEI, so it was pure excitement."

The Panthers had two great chances late in the first period to get on the scoreboard, but couldn't get the puck to the back of the net. 

On their second power-play of the afternoon, UNB's Frederike Cyr (Candiac, QC)  fired a shot off the crossbar for their best chance of the period.

After a scoreless second period, the Reds jumped on the Panthers early in the third. Tamina Kehler's (Chilliwack, BC) shot from the slot was saved by goaltender Camille Scherger (Lloydminster, SK), but McElroy-Scott buried the rebound.

UPEI couldn't get in any rhythm in the third as they were penalized six times.

Scherger turned aside 23 shots. Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, BC) was just a bit better on the afternoon, stopping 34 shots for the shut-out.

"It's huge. Playoffs are coming up, so to beat a team like UPEI, who are in the top three, is huge for us," said McElroy-Scott, named Subway Player of the Game. "We want to go into playoffs hot, just like we played today."

The Panthers return to the ice on Wednesday when they host Moncton. The Reds host St FX on Saturday. Game time is 7:00pm.

RECAP BY: Thomas Becker/for UPEI Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Janessa Hogan/for UPEI Athletics