V-Reds Open Season With Win

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Varsity Reds unveiled their 2017 U SPORTS men's hockey championship banner, then proceeded to undo the Universite de Moncton Aigles Bleus.

Stephen Anderson(Morell, PE) scored a hat-trick and Chris Caissy(Campbellton, NB) added a pair as the Varsity Reds beat Moncton 6-2.

It was the first game of the Atlantic University Sport regular season.

"Having a start like that to a season always feels good," said Anderson, named Subway Player of the Game. "I don't think I had to work too hard for them, just hackin' and whackin' around the net, but like the old saying goes, they don't ask how, they ask how many."

Anderson scored the first two goals of the game just 2:18 apart, giving the home side a 2-0 lead less than ten minutes in.

Moncton head coach Judes Vallee called a time out, and it worked… for a while.

Jean-Sebastien Francois(Levis, QC) scored in the first period and Justin Vanier-Guenette(Ste. Agath-des-Monts, QC) scored early in the second as les Aigles Bleus tied the game 2-2.

"We played a really good first period, same thing in the second," said Vallee. "But we took, I think, two shots after 15 minutes, it's not enough. After, we had a break down in our zone, they scored two goals quickly and it was over for us."

Late in the second period, the reigning national champs erupted for three goals in just over five minutes.

Caissy scored his first at 14:26 and added his second at 19:08.

Anderson completed his hat-trick 20 seconds later and the V-Reds took a 5-2 lead to the second intermission.

"We had too many minors(penalties)," said Caissy, of Moncton's rally. "You gain momentum on the power-play. We got back on our heels a bit, give credit to them, but I think we bounced back well, after the fact."

Mike Thomas(New Maryland, NB) added a third period goal to round out the scoring.

Randy Gazzola(Thorold, ON), Chris Clapperton(Cap d'Espoir, QC), Mark Simpson(Rothesay, NB), and Peter Trainor(Fredericton, NB) all had two assists for UNB.

Alex Dubeau(Mascouche, QC) earned the win in the UNB net, stopping 15 of 17 shots.

Brandon Thibeau(Riverview, NB) allowed all six UNB goals, on 33 shots, and took the loss.

"They're really fast, good top six forwards, good defencmen and a good goalie too," said Vallee, of the Varsity Reds. "It's going to be a challenge for us to beat them this year."

The V-Reds hit the road Friday, visiting the UPEI Panthers for a 7:00pm start.

Moncton plays host to the Panthers, on Saturday. That game is also scheduled to start at 7:00pm.

RECAP AND PHOTOS BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics