Acadian's Axed

    The fight for first continued on January 30^th, as the UNB Varsity Reds took on the Acadia Axemen on home ice at the Aitken centre. Every one suspected the game to be intense as the two teams battled it out for a spot in the first place position in the AUS, but no one knew exactly how intense this game would turn out to be.

    First period started like no other, the pressure from both teams clear the second the clock started to count down. The first penalty was gifted to Acadia, #7, Remy Giftopoulos just under 2 minutes into the game, a 2 minute roughing penalty. That was just the tip of the iceberg for these two teams as they played aggressively, making for an amazing game to watch. At 5:26, UNB received their first penalty of the game as #15, Chris Caissy was called for a 2 minute holding penalty. Acadia fought hard during the power play, hoping to see a goal, but to no avail. UNB managed to keep them away from the net in an UNBelievable way, that is until #24, Adrian Robinson received a 4 minute major penalty for spearing at 7:25. This upset the fans in the audience, and confused both fans as well as Robinson himself as to why the penalty was called. Acadia once again took this opportunity to try hard for a goal, causing UNB's leading goalie to dive for the puck, leaving nothing to Shantz as he desperately tried to stop the puck. He succeeded in his goal, but not before gaining an Acadian enemy as he took down #25, Sam Fiorette in his efforts.

    Fiorette didn't take long to prove to UNB that he was upset, as he was given a 2 minute penalty for hit to the head, as well as a ten minute misconduct at 10:20, leaving the game 4 on 4. After trying to start a fight with UNB's #2, Randy Gazzola, Acadian #44, Matthew Pufahl received a 2 minute penalty for cross-checking. Approximately 14 minutes into the game, Acadian Captain struck UNB's #9, Dylan Willick, causing him to go head first into the boards. The call went unnoticed, causing UNB fans to grow upset as they tried to get the referee's attention, claiming he just did not call the clear hit. However, that seems hard to believe as the referees refused to let anything go uncalled for the last 14 minutes.

    After 15 minutes of game play, UNB scored the first goal of the game. The goal was scored by #4, Jordan Murray as he shot the puck from the blue line, sliding it past the goalie, unassisted. Shortly after, at 16:17, UNB received a 2 minute penalty for too many men on the ice, but fought back hard during Acadia's power play opportunity refusing to let them tie the game. Acadia must have taken notes from UNB, as they received their very own 2 minute penalty for too many men on the ice at 18:23, bringing the first period to a close.

    After falling behind in the first period, Acadia brought their A-Game to the second period, as they scored their first goal of the game just a minute and a half into the period. The goal was scored by #13, Mike Cazzola, assisted by #63, as well as #24. At 2:07, UNB's #27, Dana Fraser received a 2 minute penalty for holding. At the same time, UNB's #40, Matt Petgrave was kicked out of the game with a game misconduct. Fans were unimpressed, as no one understood why Petgrave received a game misconduct. However, when Acadian #13, received a 2 minute penalty for slashing at 5:25, fans cheered as he was escorted to the penalty box. Referees apparently felt the need to make it an even game, as they called a 2 minute slashing penalty on UNB's #28, Matt Boudens causing fans to be upset once more. The game continued 4 on 4, but only for 20 seconds before Acadian #7, Remy Giftopoulos received a 5 minute major, hit to the head penalty as well as a game misconduct, leaving the teams to play 4 on 3.

    UNB's always angry, #4, Jordan Murray has never been a player to hold back how he feels on ice, this game proving no different as he stormed off the ice after Acadia desperately tried to stop UNB from scoring. He may have sounded muffled in the arena, but we all know the word he yelled as he left the ice, definitely was not “puck”.
    Surprisingly, almost 2 minutes passed before the next penalty was called. UNB's #12, Peter Trainor received a 2 minute penalty for slashing at 7:42. The pressure of the game seemed to be getting to all players, but no player was as surprising as UNB's #44, Colin Suellentrop as he brought out a side we'd never seen before. The normally quiet player, refused to be quiet during this game as he roughed it up on the ice. Checking players, knocking players down, and roughing with an Acadian player to try to provoke a fight. Luckily, no penalties were called as the second period ended.

    Players seemed to grow tired as the third period began. Not surprising, as their hectic schedule continues. 5 games in 9 days is not easy for any team, but especially not a university team who also deals with classes, midterms, and assignments. Their tiredness showed clearly as the third period started slow. Disappointing not to see the teams fighting harder, the first call was made at 11:00. A 2 minute, high sticking penalty called to Acadian #26, Boston Leier after striking UNB's #4, Jordan Murray in the mouth. Murray refused to let it get him down, as he simply took his helmet off long enough to flip his hair back in that way that fans have grown to adore, before continuing to play the game. At 14:49, UNB received another penalty. This one going out to #24, Adrian Robinson, a 2 minute penalty for boarding. Everyone saw the penalty coming, as Robinson knocked down the Acadian player, holding him down until the end of play. Acadian #10, Christopher Owens received a 2 minute delay of game penalty at 18:26 after shooting the puck out of play and into the stands, in what seemed to be an intentional matter. Way to go, Owens. The third period ended in a 1-1 tie, perhaps had both teams stayed out of the far corner, we might have seen another goal.

    Fans sat on the edge of their seats as UNB and Acadia headed into a 10 minute, 4 on 4, sudden death over time period. Everyone feeling the pressure as the period began. UNB played 4 on 3 for the first 26 seconds of the period, but did not make much of it. However, fans erupted, as players flew onto the ice just 2 minutes into the over time period, as UNB's #2, Randy Gazzola scored the game winning goal, becoming Subway's player of the game, and first star. “... It was about time, it's been awhile” he stated during his interview, in regards to his goal. We couldn't agree more, this being his 2^nd goal of the season. Fans tended to not trust him, whenever he had possession of the puck, but this game-winning goal may have been his redeeming factor. Although Acadia received a single point for taking UNB into overtime, UNB winning furthered their lead in the AUS standings, now standing 3 points ahead of Acadia with just 2 games remaining in their regular season. Their next game will be Saturday, January 31^st as they take on the Dalhousie Tigers on home ice at the Aitken Centre, beginning at 7 pm.  

Scholarships, high sticking, fights... UNB vs STU brings it all to the ice.

      Mark Jeffrey played hockey with the UNB Varsity Reds for four consecutive years during his time at the university. He later returned to coach the team he once played for and fell in love with. He was an excellent athlete, friend, and mentor, making friends with everyone he met. He combined an aggressive style of play, with a remarkable scoring skill, and gave his all in every game. Tragically, Mark passed away during the summer of 1991 while on vacation in Montreal. To honour him as a person, player, coach, and friend, UNB retired his #17 jersey the following year, which you can see on display at the Aitken Centre on the UNB Fredericton campus, as well as started a scholarship fund in his name.

      Each year, the team has a game dedicated to Mark Jeffrey, which occurred this year on Wednesday, January 28^th where they awarded two dedicated players each with scholarship awards. First, he wears #31, was originally drafted by Florida Panthers, has a 2.31 GAA, and excels at being the best he can be every day. If you haven't guessed it yet, David Shantz, UNB's leading goalie, originally from Hamilton, Ontario was the first recipient announced. The second, wears #26. He has played with UNB for 4 consecutive years, has won 2 CIS championships, is adored by fans, and although he has missed time in the past due to injury, he certainly does not let that change his style of play. When he plays, he gives it his all, just as Mark did during his time at UNB. Originally from Strathroy, Ontario,Tyler Carroll was the second recipient announced.

    “We play every game as if it's a play off game”, Dana Fraser (#27, UNB) definitely was not wrong when stating this statement when it came to Saturday night's game. The game started rough for UNB, with STU scoring their first goal only 2 minutes and 32 seconds into the game. The goal was scored by #24, Matt MacLeod, assists going to #14, Marc-Andre Levesque, as well as #71, Bryce Milson. However, it didn't take long for Mr. Philippe Halley to snipe back with the first goal for UNB at 6:03, assisted by #27, Dana Fraser.

    Tensions began to run high for both teams, before the first penalty was called after 12 minutes of game play. The penalty was called on Saint Thomas' #24, Matt MacLeod, a 2 minute call for interference.

    UNB has never been a team to let power plays go to waste, and this game proved no different. Playing 5 on 4, #12 Peter Trainor, quickly gained a second goal for UNB at 14:21, assists going out to #18, Rob Mignardi, as well as #24, Adrian Robinson. Saint Thomas' #27, Sawyer Hannay clearly did not think much of Trainor's goal, pulling UNB into the lead. 15 seconds after the goal, at 14:36, he received a 2 minute penalty for hit to the head, as well as a 10 minute misconduct. Still upset over the hit from Hannay, UNB's #28, Matt Boudens continued to receive a 2 minute penalty for high sticking, at 16:49.

    UNB started strong during the second period, scoring a third goal just 41 seconds into the period. Things seemed to be looking up for the team, until UNB's #18, Rob Mignardi received a 2 minute penalty for tripping at 4:14. STU followed suit, as #14, Marc-Andre Levesque received a 2 minute penalty of his very own, at 8:36.

    The first goal of the game, may have gone to Saint Thomas, however UNB definitely had the upper hand during the first fight of the game, as #23, Captain Critchlow took on STU's #52 Eric Diodati at 12:52. Although exciting to watch, fights in the game of hockey always have consequences, 4 players receiving penalties after the roughing came to an end. Diodati as well as Critchlow may have both received 2 minute roughing penalties, but at least they gained friends in the penalty box as UNB's #28, Matt Boudens, and STU's #14, Marc-Andre Levesque both received 10 minute misconducts. But the aggressive play did not stop there for these two teams. STU's #37, Brendan Childerley received a 2 minute holding penalty at 13:22, followed by #10, JC Laflamme receiving a 10 minute misconduct at 15:02. Despite the penalties, UNB did not let it get them down as they once again slide a goal past STU, at 17:59, scored by #16, Philippe Maillet, pulling them up to a 4-1 lead at the end of the second period, as well as moving Maillet into the first place leading scorer in the AUS. Kudos to you, Maillet!

    No surprise to fans, the third period started rough. The first penalty of the period being given to STU's #27, Sawyer Hannay, 2 minutes for tripping, a 10 minute misconduct, as well as a game misconduct. UNB followed to make the most of the power play, getting their fifth goal of the game, scored by #27, Dana Fraser at 9:49, assisted by #4, Jordan Murray as well as #19, Cameron Brace.         The tension continued to grow until the second fight of the game took place at 11:04 between UNB's #18, Rob Mignardi, and STU's #91, Rankyn Campbell. Penalties as an effect of the fight were given to both Mignardi, as well as Campbell, each receiving 2 minutes for roughing. In addition to those penalties, Campbell also received 2 minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct, as well as a 10 minute misconduct. Despite the penalties given to Campbell, STU had yet to calm down as #19, Colin Martin received a 2 minute slashing penalty at 12:00, followed by #5, Jordan Moore receiving a 2 minute high sticking penalty at 13:10. Once again, UNB stayed strong as always, refusing to let STU's aggressive play get them down as the proceeded to get their sixth, and final goal of the game on a power play at 14:19, scored by #10, Cam Braes, assisted by #40, Matt Petgrave and #44, Colin Suellentrop. Fans may have been elated by the goal, however STU's #34, Connor Sanvido was less than impressed as he received a 2 minute high sticking penalty at 16:11.

    After an intense 60 minutes of game play, the game came to a close as UNB, despite the high sticking, tension, and aggressiveness, pulled out a 6-1 win, causing STU to once again, bite the dust as they left the arena. UNB pulled back into the first place spot in the AUS, just 2 points ahead of Acadia. The three stars for the game all from UNB, #8, Philippe Halley, #16, Philippe Maillet, and #27, Dana Fraser. The battle for first place in the AUS continues, as UNB takes on Acadia with a home ice advantage Friday, January 30^th at 7 pm at the Aitken Centre on the UNB campus.

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog!
Recently, I have decided to follow my dream and work towards becoming a sports reporter. Before spending the money on university, I've decided to try first hand writing reports on games I'll be attending to ensure this is what I would like to do. That being said, I welcome all criticism in order to help further my dream career. The first game I'll be attending will be Wednesday night's UNB Varsity Reds Men's Hockey game against hill rivals, The St. Thomas Tommies. These two teams not always bring their love for the game to the ice, but also their rivalry against each other, making every game an exciting one. They may share a campus, a HIL, and a city, but that does not make them friends. I'm very excited to write my take on the game to share with all of you, and hope you enjoy reading it as much as I'll enjoy writing it. I will try to have it posted Friday at the latest, but make no promises.

Until next time,
Mel, future sports reporter.