REDS Win Soldier Appreciation Game
(FREDERICTON, NB) Cole Huckins had a three-point night to lead the UNB REDS in a 4-1 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies in Atlantic University Sport men's hockey play, Friday night at UNB's Aitken Centre.
The game, UNB's annual Soldier Appreciation Game, was attended by almost 2400 spectators, many of them members of the Canadian military and their families.
The home team opened the scoring at 7:28 of the first period when Huckins got in front of a clearing attempt by Huskies' goalie Marcus Vandenberg, who'd come out of his net to play the puck. Huckins knocked down the clearing attempt, took possession of the puck, and then skated in alone on the empty Saint Mary's net.
UNB got second period goals from Luke Torrance and Cody Morgan, both set up by Huckins, to lead 3-0 after 40 minutes.
Saint Mary's Reid Valade scored early in the third, but Gage Heyes potted an empty net goal for UNB towards the end to make the final 4-1.
Remi Delafontaine made 17 saves on 18 shots to earn the win in the UNB net while Vandenberg faced 33 shots and made 30 saves in the Huskies net.
With the win, the REDS are now 17-8-2-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL), good for 36 points and a share of second place. UNB and Acadia are just three points back of league-leading Moncton.
Saint Mary's is now 14-10-1-2 and in fifth place.
The Huskies head to Charlottetown where they'll face UPEI on Saturday night.
The REDS will welcome the Axemen to the Aitken Centre on Saturday for the 33rd annual Mark Jeffrey Memorial Game. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00pm.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB REDS
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB REDS