Eagles Soar... Away.

    Although UNB's Wednesday night game against University of Moncton was not as aggressive as anticipated by fans, UNB seemed to take the majority of their anger out on the sticks as the team collectively broke 4 sticks in the 60 minute game. The fans, also angry the moment the referees stepped foot onto the ice, took most of their anger out by yelling at the fans #1 hated referee, Thayer Doyle.

    UNB had several close calls for goals, but couldn't quite tap the puck into the net. The team was clearly upset, as UdeM took two rough hits, as a result of the disappointing lack of goals. The first penalty of the game was given to UNB's #28, Matt Boudens, a 2 minute call for inference at 11:38. Fans were brought to life as UNB's #8, Philippe Halley tripped behind UdeM's net, managing to keep the puck with him as he got back to his feet, dodging players as he helped his team kill off the power play, refusing to let the opposing team score.

    The first goal of the game was scored by UNB's #18, Rob Mignardi at 16:12. The puck was shot from the blue line, as Mignardi gained the rebound sliding the puck past the goalie to bring UNB to a 1-0 lead at the end of the first period.

    The second period started rough for UNB, as UdeM scored their first goal of the game at 2:33. The goal was scored by #28, Allain Saulnier. UNB quickly rebounded, as they scored their second goal of the game at 6:08. The second goal was also scored on a rebound shot, scored by #21 Francis Beauvillier, as he got the rebound shot from #22, Taylor MacDougall.

    Things roughened up approximately 12 minutes into the period, after UdeM's #23, Christopher Guay tried to provoke a fight between UNB's #12, Peter Trainor. After Trainor was knocked down in front of the net, Guay proceeded to keep him down by striking him on top of the head. Trainor refused to fight, as he waited for the play to be whistled dead before returning to the players bench.

UNB's #42, Alex Wall was the next to be sent to the box at 11:04 , as he received a 2 minute call for unsportsmanlike conduct. The call was made after Wall clearly began chirping the referees after they missed calling a clear hit on UNB's player. #28, Matt Boudens tried desperately to stop UdeM from scoring during the power play as he continuously stopped the puck from getting to close to the net by blocking with his knee. Although this resulted in Boudens limping off the ice in pain, he did his job at stopping the opposing team from scoring.

    UdeM's #27, Jean-Francois Plante received a 2 minute high sticking penalty at 14:53, after striking UNB's #10, Cam Braes in the jaw, causing him to drop to the ice in pain. Braes quickly shook it off after returning to the bench long enough to catch his breath, bringing the second period to an end.

    The third period of the game started rough as UdeM's #24, Samuel Groulx received a 2 minute slashing penalty just a minute and a half into the period. Disappointingly, the game died down from there, at least until 10 minutes into the game when UdeM received their second goal of the game. The goal was scored by #8, Pier-Antoine Dion. Despite UNB's #4, Jordan Murray returning to the bench in a clearly upset manner, he did little to help UNB recover as the third period continued. UdeM received 2 penalties almost back to back, as #27, Jean-Francois Plante was sent to the box at 16:39 for high sticking, followed by #4, Steve Lebel for holding, leaving UNB to play 5 on 3 for the following 26 seconds, and 5 on 4 for the remainder of the third period.

    Despite multiple chances, UNB spent far too much time passing the puck back and forth, and not near enough time trying to score as the couldn't pull out another goal in the remaining moments of the third period, sending the two rival teams into a 10 minute, sudden death over time period.

    Playing 4 on 3 for the first 14 seconds of over time, UNB, fan favourite, #4 Jordan Murray, wasted no time as he grabbed the puck fresh into the period, scoring for UNB just 10 seconds in. Fans jumped for joy, as players rushed onto the ice in celebration of the goal, and 3-2 victory over UdeM for their last home game of the regular season. Murray was made the Subway player of the game and first star, as a result of his game winning goal. UNB takes on UPEI over the weekend in PEI, before getting ready to head into the AUS playoffs later on this month. It's been a fantastic season, and there is still lots to come from the team. The playoffs are a thing you will not want to miss, but if you do, we'll have all the goods from home ice games posted right here. We'll see you then.  

Tigers Caged

    It may have been storming outside, but it was warm in the arena as things heated up between University of New Brunswick's Varsity Reds, and the Dalhousie Tigers on January 31^st.

    The game started as UNB's second goalie, #1 Chris Carrozzi took the net. The game started rough, as Dalhousie's #55, Patrick Arnold hit UNB's #10 Cam Braes from behind, causing him injury just 2 minutes and 38 seconds into the game. 5 minutes passed before Braes managed to get up off the ice, needed to be escorted off with the help of a trainer and a team-mate. Arnold was given a 5 minute major penalty, as well as a game misconduct for his actions. Just over a minute later, Dalhousie received a second penalty at 3:47 as #15, Matt English was given a 2 minute high sticking penalty.

    Despite the fact that UNB spent too much time passing the puck back and forth, and not enough time actually shooting, they scored the first goal of the game at 7:43. The goal was scored by #44, Colin Suellentrop, his first goal of the season, assisted by #24, Adrian Robinson. UNB's second goal of the game was scored on a power play after Dalhousie's #73 was sent to the box at 7:43, the same time UNB's first goal was scored, on a 2 minute high sticking call. UNB's goal was scored by #27, Dana Fraser, assisted by #16, Philippe Maillet at 8:58. Fraser may not have been with UNB long, joining the team in the second half of the season in January, but he has certainly proven himself worthy. Fans have grown to love him, as he continues to climb up the list of the team's top scorers, scoring 10 goals for UNB in the 10 games he has played with the team.

    The game continued rough as a Dalhousie player knocked UNB's #44, Colin Suellentrop into the boards. However, Suellentrop quickly got back at him as he struck him in the mouth with his stick. No penalties were called. At least not for a few moments, until UNB's #23, Cam Critchlow received a 2 minute roughing penalty at 12:16.

    UNB's #44, Colin Suellentrop was the next to be punished, or should I say the next to punish as he was given a 2 minute interference penalty after striking a Dalhousie player in the face on his way to UNB's net. He may have received a penalty, but at least he stopped the player from scoring as the first period came to a close.

    UNB started strong in the second period as Suellentrop gained the puck fresh out of the penalty box, breaking through the Dalhousie Tigers. The puck was stopped by the goalie, as Critchlow gained the rebound, also being stopped. It may not have resulted in a goal, but it certainly brought the audience to life as the period continued. 2 minutes into the period, Dalhousie's #15, Matt English gained a 2 minute trip the penalty box on an interference call after striking UNB's #19, Cameron Brace. UNB had a close call for a third goal at 8:30, however #21, Francis Beauvillier couldn't quite tap the puck into the net before the goalie covered, despite his desperate attempts. 5 minutes later, UNB managed to get that third goal they so desperately wanted. #19, Cameron Brace slid the puck past Dalhousie's goalie as he shot the puck up over his shoulder. Perhaps had the goalie stayed off his knees, he may have been able to make a save. The goal was assisted by #12, Peter Trainor and #2, Randy Gazzola.

    Dalhousie clearly did not think much of UNBs lead, as roughing began between UNBs #16, Philippe Maillet, and Dalhousie's #2, Wes Herrett. The roughing caused Maillet to lose his helmet, as he began chirping Herrett. Things escalated quickly, as Herrett grabbed Maillet by the face, pulling him to the ice and beginning to punch him, outraging fans as they yelled and screamed to the ice. The referees were clearly on Dalhousie's side, as penalties were given. UNB received 3 separate penalties, going out to Maillet, 2 minutes for slashing, #24, Adrian Robinson, 2 minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct, and a 2 minute bench minor. On top of those, Maillet and Robinson both received 10 minute misconducts. However, Dalhousie got off easy as Herrett received a 2 minute roughing penalty, and a 10 minute misconduct leaving UNB to play 3 on 5.

    Dalhousie scored 2 back to back goals, both on power plays at 18:09 and 19:02. The goals were scored by #28, Andrew Rieder and #19, Dan Joyce, both clearly assisted by the referees. Fans grew angry in the stands, as this brought the score up to 3-2 for UNB. Clearly, the referees began to favor one team over the other as the 2^nd period came to a close.

    UNB received a penalty just 20 seconds into the third period, as #28, Matt Boudens was charged for charging. Sadly, the remaining time of the third period slowed down as both teams grew tired, not making as many attempts as normal. Perhaps had they played harder, the period might have been more interesting. At 17:51, UNB pulled ahead again as they gained their 4^th goal of the game, as #8, Philippe Halley slide the puck past the goalie. Dalhousie desperate to get back into it, pulled their goalie with 30 seconds remaining, but it was too late. Why they waited until they were 2 goals down, and 30 seconds left of the game to finally make a move is beyond me.

    The game ended in a 4-2 victory for the University's Varisty Reds. Two of the three stars of the game were from UNB, #44, Colin Suellentrop as well as #8, Philippe Halley being the Subway player of the game, as well as the first star. Fans fire up, as we head into UNB's final home game of the regular season, taking place on Wednesday, February 4^th at the Aitken Centre on the UNB campus as they take on rivals University of Moncton, always making for an intense game. We hope to see you then.