UNB Rallies Past Panthers

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Varsity Reds scored three third period goals to beat the visiting UPEI Panthers 3-1, on Wednesday night.

The win improves UNB's record to 2-0-1, and pushes the Varsity Reds into first place in the Atlantic University Sport standings.

The Panthers opened the scoring, at 5:39 of the first period, when Gabe Guertler(Plantation, FLA) lifted the puck past a sprawling Etienne Marcoux(Terrebonne, QC).

The visitors would hold that lead until 3:29 of the third period.

That's when Philippe Halley(Quebec City, QC) beat Matt Mahalak(Monroe, MICH) on UNB's 34th shot on goal.

The Varsity Reds went ahead at 8:51 of the third.

Stephen Anderson(Morell, PE) converted a beautiful pass from Philippe Maillet(Terrebonne, QC), for his second goal of the season.

"We were buzzing inside the zone there, and Phil made a great pass to me, gave me a wide open cage, so I didn't want to miss," said Anderson.

Chris Caissy(Campbellton, NB) added an empty net goal with one second to play.

UNB outshot UPEI 47-15.

"When we have the lead going into the third period we want to be able to finish, at least get a point out of it," said Mahalak. "Unfortunately, it didn't go that way tonight."

For stopping 44 of the 46 shots he faced, Mahalak was named the game's second star.

"I think the goal they got to tie it up was a bit of a lucky play, in my opinion," said Mahalak. "Nothing against them, they were applying pressure all night, they were bound to get a bounce."

The game was the second between the two teams in five days.

On Saturday, UPEI beat UNB 4-3, in a shoot-out.

Despite trailing going into the third period, Maillet said the Varsity Reds weren't worried.

"As a team, we take pride in third periods," said the fourth year business student. "It's one of our goals, to win every third period, so we weren't nervous. We knew we were playing well, shots were good for us and we just had to keep digging. Fortunately, we had a good tip goal, and then it just opened the gates."

The Panthers went 0-for-9 on the power-play, and were held to a total of just three shots on those nine advantages.

Despite some early struggles, Varsity Reds head coach Gardiner MacDougall was pleased with the outcome.

"I think we needed that game," said MacDougall. "You need all these challenges, and it was a good challenge. It makes you mentally stronger."

The Varsity Reds travel to Moncton, on Friday, to take on les Aigles Bleus.

The Panthers host Moncton on Saturday.