REDS Fall In U SPORTS Quarter-Final

(SASKATOON, SK) The UNB REDS fell 2-1 to the University of Toronto Varsity Blues in the quarter-finals at the U SPORTS women's hockey championship tournament, in Saskatoon.

"It would be unrealistic of us to not be disappointed, for sure," said REDS' interim head coach Kyle MacDonald. "I think we played very hard that game. I thought our compete level was terrific until the very end. It was just a matter of a couple bounces not going our way."

The Varsity Blues opened the scoring at 12:32 of the first period, after a REDS giveaway put the puck on the stick of Ashley Delahey, who was left alone in front of Kendra Woodland.

But, just 49 seconds later, UNB's Mackenzie Keenan responded, firing a one-timer that beat Toronto goalie  Erica Fryer glove side, evening the game 1-1.

The second period was all about sacrificing the body to keep pucks out of the net.

REDS captain Payton Hargreaves made a huge block midway through the period, taking a shot to her chest, getting the crowd on their feet.

It was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, neither able to find the back of the net.

The third period began with both teams hungry for the go-ahead goal. 

U of T's Sophie Grawbarger got the break, with time winding down.

Racing in on a one-on-one, she got around a REDS defender and back-handed the puck in the opposite direction. The puck hit the far post and went in, the Varsity Blues taking the lead with just 2:21 left on the clock.

With 18 seconds left in the game and Woodland on the bench in favour of an extra attacker, Lauren O'Neil fed Keenan, who unleashed a slapshot that fans and players thought went in, but Fryer, lying on her back, managed to make the save, reaching out her arm and pulling the puck into her side.

Keenan was named UNB's player of the game.

"When you look at the season as a whole, there's a lot to be proud of," added MacDonald. "As difficult as a moment like this is, we owe it to ourselves, we owe it to the program, and we owe it to the future of the program to make sure that we are prepared and put our best foot forward here in the upcoming games."

On Saturday, the REDS will take on the UBC Thunderbirds in the consolation semi-finals. Game time is 1:00pm Central/4:00pm Atlantic.

"I am confident in this group, and everyone involved is going to wake up with something to prove and be motivated to do so," said MacDonald.

RECAP BY: Madison Tucker/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS: University of Saskatchewan Athletics