UNB started the season strong with their game Monday night, against the visiting UPEI panthers. The game started rough, as it typically does between these two teams, as UNB took several hard hits within the first two minutes of play. Due to the rough play, UPEI received the first penalty of the game early on at 1:44, as #24, Beni Berisha took a two minute visit to the box for interference.
Following in his team-mates roughness, UPEI's #21,Craig MacLauchlan was the next to visit the Sin Bin, in his first penalty of many at 7:18. MacLauchlan was sentenced to a two minute tripping penalty after very obviously taking down UNB's #8, Phillippe Halley, at the center red line, causing an outrage among fans.
Using the panthers frustration to their advantage, UNB's #57, Christopher Clapperton, managed to score the first goal of the game at 11:46. However, the delight quickly wore off as UNB received their first penalty of the game just over a minute later at 13:04. #27, Stephen Anderson took a quick two minute break for slashing. Just two minutes later, roughing broke out in front of UNB's net, as UPEI gets a close call, followed by UNB's #57, receiving a two minute penalty for slashing. Although this upset fans, thinking UNB would now be two men short, Anderson left the box just three seconds after the second penalty was called.
Bringing the first period to a close, UPEI had a close call at 18:45, as #15 was left undefended against UNB's goalie. Luckily for UNB, he missed the net and missed out on tying the game, leaving the score 1-0 for UNB at the end of the first.
The second period started on an extreme level of excitement, as UPEI's goalie went down just 55 seconds in, causing the puck to be loose in front of the net. However, defense had his back as UNB failed to get their second goal of the evening, at least for now. Just a minute later, at 1:58, UPEI's #21, earned his second penalty of the night, a two minute for hooking after once again tripping one of UNB's players.
UNB, desperate to further their lead in their first home game of the year, used the penalty to their advantage as #27, Stephen Anderson, made his way to the net at 3:17, scoring UNB's second goal.
At 4:11, UNB's #18, Rob Mignardi, was sent to the box on a two minute goal tender interference penalty, much to fans disagreement, Mignardi and UPEI's goalie, ended up behind the net, the goalie getting caught in Mignardi's stick, caused him to go down to the ice. Fans believe Mignardi should not have received the penalty, due to the goalie being out of his net, and the trip being unintentional. However, Mignardi didn't seem to have any problems serving the penalty, having known what happened.
UPEI gained the next penalty, at 7:27, a two minute penalty for slashing. Once again, UNB used the power play to further their lead as #8, Phillippe Halley, picked up a rebound shot from #12, Peter Trainor, extending their lead 3-0 over the Panthers.
UNB decided to switch their goalies, at 11:30, having no fear of losing the game, and giving both goalies an opportunity to warm up for the season in their first pre-season game. Clearly, the switch didn't help UPEI any, as UNB's #19, Cameron Brace, braced himself in front of the net and received UNB's 4th goal of the game, at 13:55. Although UPEI had a pending penalty, the penalty was never called due to UNB's goal, bringing the second period to an end, with UNB leading 4-0.
The third period continued well for UNB, as #15, Chris Caissy earned yet another goal for the team at 1:24. The teams 5th goal was quickly paired by their 6th goal, as #16, Phillippe Maillet, gained his first goal of the season at 4:59. Although this may have been Maillet's only goal of the game, we expect you'll hear his name lots more this season if he continues his goal streak from last season.
Clearly upset by UNB's lead, UPEI's #8, Cody Payne, received a penalty of his own at 8:32, two minutes for holding, after wrapping his arm around UNB's #28, Matt Boudens' neck at the blue line. Just over a minute later, a brawl broke out behind UPEI's net at 9:42. The fight continued for a few minutes, as referees fought to get the players away from each other and under control. The game was put on hold while the referees discussed the best way to treat the penalties. In the end, a total of five roughing penalties were delivered. #19, Cameron Brace, #2, Randy Gazzola, and #57, Christopher Clapperton all from UNB, as well as #11, Stephen McInnis, and #2, Derek Ryckmen, from UPEI were able to party together as they sat in the penalty box for the following two minutes.
At 12:52, UNB's #40, Matt Petgrave earned a two minute penalty for interference. Refusing to let it get them down, UNB furthered their lead even further at 16:22, as #26, Oliver Cooper, extended their lead by getting the seventh and final goal of the evening.
UPEI's #21, once gain received a penalty at 18:40, a two minute penalty for slashing after dramatically knocking UNB's stick out of his hand.
Looking to make his presence to the team known in his first game with the VReds, #26, Oliver Cooper received a two minute roughing penalty at 18:58 after getting into a shoving match behind UPEI's net. Luckily, the penalty was called with just a minute left in the game, and with UNB's 7-0 lead, they weren't concerned as the final period, and the game, came to a close.
UNB has already begun to prove themselves as being a team to be reckoned with this year, despite losing several of their top players, including fan favourite, #26, Tyler Carroll, and Fredericton's own, #22, Taylor MacDougall last year. If UNB continues to play the way they played this game, they'll secure a spot in the CIS championship in no time.
UNB's next game will be held in Montreal at McGill University on September 24th, as they scope out the potential competition for the CIS championship in the beginning of the new year. Their next home game, will be held on October 7th, at 7 pm, as they take on Moncton in their home opener, where they will introduce several new players formally to their fans,
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