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.