Cyr Leads REDS Past Mounties
(FREDERICTON, NB) The U SPORTS No. 3 ranked UNB REDS scored three power-play on their way to a 4-1 win over the Mount Allison Mounties, on Wednesday night, at UNB's Aitken Centre.
Frederike Cyr (Candiac, QC) scored twice and assisted on another goal to lead the REDS.
"We just keep working hard. We keep grinding, doing the little things that make us successful," said Cyr, named the Subway Player of the Game. "The last game we played against them, I don't think they gave us their best game. They showed up today, it was a challenge. It was a better game."
In the previous match-up between the two teams, on October 30th, the REDS shut-out the Mounties 8-0.
This time, as was the case previously, the REDS were first to strike.
On the power-play, at the 14:30 mark of the first period, Ashley Stratton (Mount Pearl, NL) skated to the top of the face-off circle to the left of Mounties' goalie Bianca Zak (Stonewall, MB). She spotted an unchecked Cyr, made the pass and Cyr converted the one-timer.
Early in the second period, Marisa Valla (St. Catharines, ON) scored her first Atlantic University Sport goal, following a beautiful feed by Jana Headrick (Garden River First Nation).
"Jana saw me in the paint and I just kind of tapped it in, nothing to it," said Valla, playing just her fourth game of the season.
But, less than 90 seconds later, Julia Aurora (Ottawa, ON) scored to pull the Mounties within one.
"One of my line-mates came from the corner, threw it out front," said Aurora. "I actually whacked at it twice, so just the importance of rebounds, stay on the puck, bear down and yeah, it went in."
The Mounties defence was effective in limiting UNB opportunities and Zak played a strong game, keeping Mount Allison close.
But, at 14:37 of the second, with UNB again on the power-play, Reagan Minor (Dunnville, ON) scored from close range and the REDS took a 3-1 lead to the second intermission.
Cyr scored the only goal of the third, the REDS third of three power-play goals, at 10:27, as UNB earned their sixth consecutive win.
"The goal is always to win and to dominate," said Cyr. "We don't want to let any team, obviously, dominate us and control the game. At the same time, we've done the work and we're confident, in game, that we will get the job done."
The Mounties suffered their eighth straight defeat, and twelfth of the season, but were looking for bright spots.
"We're feeling good, we're definitely improving a lot," said Aurora. "We feel good about our effort, especially because we know UNB is ranked among the top in Canada, so we're feeling good."
With the win, the REDS are now 11-1-0-1 on the second.
Up next, a Sunday afternoon date, in Charlottetown, with the UPEI Panthers. Game time is 3:00pm.
"We've just got to keep it positive and keep everything light," said Valla. "Obviously, we're having a good time, we're winning, we're having fun, it's a pretty special experience."
The Mounties, now 1-12-0-0, return home and will host the St. Thomas Tommies on Sunday. That game is scheduled for a 5:00pm start.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Fran Harris/for UNB Athletics