UNB Takes 2016 Kelly Cup
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Varsity Reds simply proved to be too much for the Concordia Stingers to handle.
The VReds captured the 2016 Pete Kelly Cup, scoring a 5-1 win over the visitors in Sunday's second game of the exhibition series, presented by Peterbilt Atlantic.
UNB won game one of the series 7-3, on Saturday.
"They have a really good team," said Stingers head coach Marc-Andre Element. "Now it's easy for me to tell the guys, if you want to compete against a team like that, you've got to work hard."
"We're going to build on that, for sure," said Element.
Game two began quickly, as Dylan Willick deflected a Matt Boudens point-shot past Concordia goaltender Robin Billingham just 17 seconds in.
Rob Mignardi scored on the power-play with 1:03 to play in the first, giving UNB a 2-0 lead.
Matt Petgrave, Peter Trainor and Tyler Carroll scored second period goals, as the Varsity Reds built a 5-0 advantage for the second straight game.
Concordia's Anthony Cortese broke Alex Dubeau's shut-out bid at 16:05 of the third period, slapping Scott Oke's pass into the UNB net.
Philippe Hudon also drew an assist. Hudon assisted on all four of the Stingers goals in the two game exhibition series.
"It feels awesome to be back," said Varsity Reds forward Cam Braes.
The veteran made his return to the UNB line-up on the weekend, after testing the professional hockey waters last fall.
Held off the score sheet Sunday, following a four point night on Saturday, Braes was happy to have seen so much ice time. "I've been practicing with the team, but there's not really a comparison between practice and a game, taking hits and giving hits."
"Hopefully, this weekend will help the team and myself as we move toward the playoffs," said Braes.
Braes spent much of the weekend playing with AUS scoring leader Cam Brace, who welcomed the addition. "At the end of the day, as long as we're winning games, points will come. We've just got to work hard."
Concordia outshot UNB 26-25 in the series finale.
"We learned a lot," said Stingers' forward Jessyko Bernard, a Moncton native. Despite the lop-sided nature of the series, Bernard said his team can take something from the experience. "We know what a national caliber team is now and heading to the playoffs in a couple of weeks, it's definitely going to be to our advantage."
The Stingers resume OUA league play on Friday, when they host OUIT.
The Varsity Reds return to AUS regular season action on Friday as well. They host the Dalhousie Tigers in a 7:00PM start, at the Aitken Centre.
The St. FX X-Men visit the Aitken Centre on Saturday night.