REDS Tame Huskies Again

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS scored a pair of third period goals, including one into an empty net, in a 3-1 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies on Saturday afternoon.

Ashley Stratton (Mount Pearl, NL) led the REDS with a pair of assists while Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, BC) stopped 27 of the 28 shots she faced. Woodland was named Subway Player of the Game.

"It's good to get back-to-back wins over them, at home and on the road," said Woodland. "It sets the tone for the rest of the season, for sure."

A week ago, the REDS beat the Huskies in Halifax in their first meeting of the Atlantic University Sport season.

In this game, the REDS opened the scoring late in the first period, a period in which the Huskies were the better team.

With just 12 seconds to play, Marisa Valla (St. Catharines, ON) found a bouncing puck in the slot and tapped it past Huskies' goalie Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB).

The REDS were the better team in the second period, but it was the Huskies scoring late.

With 29 seconds left on the clock, Miranda Hatt (Eastern Passage, NS) got a rebound in front and hammered the puck past Woodland.

"I had just planted myself in front of the net and was puck-watching," said Hatt. "The rebound came and I just shot it. I didn't know it went in until I saw the light go on."

At the 3:38 mark of the third period, Stratton broke into the Huskies zone and fired a shot that hit the far post and fell to the goal line. Tamina Kehler (Chilliwack, BC) was able to push the puck into the net to restore UNB's lead.

Lily George (Nipissing First Nation) scored into an empty net in the final minute of play, a special goal for George, as the REDS were hosting their Every Child Matters Game.

"I was really excited to have the indigenous youth here today," she said. "I know it means a lot to all of them to be highlighted at this game. I'm just grateful to be a part of it, seeing them in the stands really makes me happy."

The REDS wore special Orange Shirt Society jerseys during the game.

"We're still trying to get a handle on playing a full 60-minutes," said Woodland. "I'm going to say it probably wasn't our best full 60-minutes, but it's something to build on. It was a character-building game today. There were opportunities where we could've got down on ourselves, but we didn't, we dug down and came out with the win."

Despite the loss, Hatt said there were positives for the Huskies.

"This was, hands down, one of the best games we've had in this arena," she said. "We're definitely right there with them. They're definitely beatable."

With the win, the REDS solidify their hold on first place in the AUS standings and remain unbeaten in regulation, with a 4-0-0-1 record.

The Huskies are tied for second, sporting a 3-2-0-0 record.

Saint Mary's next action is Wednesday, when they visit the Dalhousie Tigers at 7:00pm.

The REDS host the Mount Allison Mounties on Sunday afternoon. Game time is 3:00pm.

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics