Varsity Reds UNBeatable

    Tempers flared early on as UNB's Varsity Reds took to the ice on Saturday, October 9^th for their season home opener. Fans were already pumped up for the game after watching the team raise the AUS banner from last season.

    Regardless of UPEI's late arrival to town due to high winds on the bridge, preventing them from crossing, UNB did not let the delay of the game affect their drive to win. The Reds scored their first goal of the game, just one minute and 42 seconds into the game, despite what should have been UPEI's first penalty of the game just 12 seconds prior. UPEI was just about to get a penalty after one of their players struck UNB's player directly in the mouth with his stick, fresh out of the face off before UNB snuck in for the goal. The goal was scored by #19, Cameron Brace and assisted by newbie #79, Marcus McIvor.

    Fans stayed on the edge of their seats as UNB's #12, Peter Trainor slid the puck past UPEI's, Mavric Parks for their second goal of the game at 4:01. The goal was assisted by the dynamic duo of Phil squared, #8, Phillipe Halley, and #16, Phillipe Maillet.

    After two more close calls for UNB, the team received their first penalty of the game at 9:17. After a pile up of players in front of their net, #8, Phillipe Halley was sent to the “sin bin” for 2 minutes on a tripping penalty. UPEI must have taken tips from UNB as they received their first penalty at12:05 as #77, David Mazurek was sent to the box on a cross checking call. The home boys didn't take long to make the most out of the power play as they scored their third goal of the game at 13:29. The goal was scored by the teams enforcer, #21, Francis Beauvillier and assisted by #18, and #15.

    After their first close call for a goal at approximately 15:00, UPEI's #9, Brent Andrews clearly didn't think much of UNB's lead, as he earned himself a two minute holding penalty. Shortly after, UNB's #12, Peter Trainor received a 2 minute slashing penalty at 17:14.

    Things got chippy at 18:18 as UNB's #28, Matt Boudens chirps a player on the UPEI side resulting in a roughing match between the two players. Luckily, no penalties were called. However at 20:00, as the period came to a close, tempers flared between the two teams resulting in a second roughing match. This time, players didn't get off so easy, as three of them partied in the penalty box for the first two minutes of the second period. UNB's #2, Randy Gazzola received a 2 minute goaltender interference penalty, joined by teammate #19, Cameron Brace for 2 minutes due to unsportsmanlike conduct. UPEI's #24, Carter Rigby also gained a 2 minute break due to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

    Wanting to join the party at the gate, UNB's #40, Matt Petgrave also received a 2 minute penalty for interference just 17 seconds into the second period. Due to the power play advantage, and being two men up in a 5 on 3 play, UPEI managed to score their first goal at 0:59. The goal was scored by #9, Brent Andrews, and assisted by #7, and #86.

    UNB's #21, Francis Beauvillier earned himself a trip to the box at 4:02 on a slashing call, but the team refused to let it get them down as #2, Randy Gazzola got his revenge from his penalty earlier in the game, as he scored the fourth goal at 7:20. Maillet once again picked up an assist from the goal. A minute later, Fredericton's own #22, Taylor MacDougall scored the Red's fifth goal of the game, points for assists going out to #23, and #40.

    Clearly unhappy with UNB's back to back goals, UPEI's #8, Spencer Metcalfe sought revenge on UNB's #40, Matt Petgrave as he sent him down to the ice after a check from behind. Metcalfe immediately received a 2 minute penalty, as well as a 10 minute misconduct as a result at 11:52. Joining his buddy in the penalty box, UPEI's #21, Craig MacLauchlan earned himself a 2 minute tripping penalty shortly after.

   Having trained by watching UPEI, Peter Trainor of the Vreds took an extended visit to the sin bin at 11:52. Trainor earned himself two 2 minute penalties for cross checking and checking from behind, as well as a 10 minute misconduct. Despite being short handed, UNB's Matt's didn't let it get them down as they paired together to earn the teams sixth goal at 13:01. #40, Matt Petgrave scored, and #28, Matt Boudens picked up an assist on the play causing UPEI to switch out their goalie, sending Parks to the bench to be replaced by Connor Wilkinson. Wilkinson did his job as he stopped all shots in the remaining 7 minutes, refusing to let UNB pull any farther into the lead, causing the second period to end with a 5 goal advantage for the Vreds.

    Having done well at the end of second period, UNB used Wilkinson's confidence to their advantage as the picked up two back to back goals early on in the third period. The first was scored unassisted by #19, Cameron Brace at 1:18, followed by Phil squared at 1:34 as Halley slides the puck past, and Maillet earns his third assist of the game.

    The Panthers retaliated back quickly, as they scored their second goal at 2:14. The goal was scored by #9, Brent Andrews, assists going out to #27, and #21. Despite picking up a goal, UPEI's #8, Spence Metcalfe remained unimpressed and proved so by receiving a 2 minute check to the head penalty, and a 10 minute misconduct at 2:38. Metcalfe's misconduct resulted in a game misconduct, due to having already received a misconduct earlier in the game.

    After keeping quiet for awhile, UPEI's #25, Brock Beukeboom earned himself a 2 minute interference penalty at 6:25. Shortly after, at 9:02, UNB's Matt Petgrave, and UPEI's Nick Czinder got into a tussle, resulting in penalties for both players. Petgrave was given a 2 minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, and Czinder a 2 minute roughing penalty. Confused by the penalties, UNB's #19, Cameron Brace joined Petgrave in the box on a bench minor penalty for too many men on the ice at 10:15.

    After insisting to the referee that he as simply giving UPEI a hug, UNB's #4, Jordan Murray earned a 2 minute holding penalty at 14:44. Surprising to fans, it was Murray's first penalty of the game as he sat in the box with his hand on his hip in the sassy way that he does.

    Unable to pick up another goal, but unwilling to let UNB pull any farther ahead, UPEI's #77, David Mazurek was gifted a two minute interference penalty at 17:22. He was then joined by UNB's #21, Francis Beauvillier on a 2 minute slashing call at 18:30, bringing the third and final period to a close as UNB brings home their first win of the regular season, sending the Panthers packing. Having picked up a goal and an assist during the game, Phillipe Halley was crowned first star of the game, followed by Francis Beauvillier as second, and Phillipe Maillet as third.