Huskies season ends with 5-1 semifinal loss to REDS

HALIFAX, NS – The UNB REDS punched their ticket to the Atlantic University Sport men's hockey finals by defeating the Saint Mary's Huskies 5-1 in game three of the best-of-five semifinal series on Tuesday night in front of a sold-out crowd of 1,183 fans at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax.

In the early going, the two teams seemed a bit tentative offensively, not taking too many chances in their own zone. It took nearly four minutes for either team to register a shot on goal, which came courtesy REDS defenceman Sam McGinley (Calgary, AB) who skated down the left wing and fired a shot from an awkward angle that ricocheted off the shoulder of Huskies goaltender Jeremy Helvig (Kingston, ON), but Helvig was able to cover up the rebound.

Midway through the period, the REDS would get a powerplay opportunity as Huskies captain Andrew Coxhead (Bedford, NS) was sent to the box for boarding, and were able to capitalize as forward Justin Nolet (Mississauga, ON) cycled a pass to linemate Sean McGurn (Ottawa, ON) who fired a low shot that beat Helvig five-hole to give the visitors a 1-0 lead, 8:35 into the first period.

Later in the period, the Huskies would get a powerplay opportunity of their own, but some excellent shot-blocking by REDS defenders limited their chances, and a Huskies penalty ended their man-advantage early. Helvig continued to be busy, denying REDS forward Austen Keating (Guelph, ON) on the powerplay.

Shortly after the Huskies penalty expired, the REDS were able to double their lead, with Keating dishing a pass onto the stick of defenceman Nicolas Savoie (Dieppe, NB) who was able to jam it past Helvig, extending the visitors lead to 2-0, 17:14 into the first period.

Just 42 seconds later the REDS scored again, with McGurn receiving the puck behind the Huskies net and finding defenceman Sam McGinley (Calgary, AB) in the slot, where he unleashed a high shot that beat Helvig to put the REDS ahead 3-0, 17:56 into the first period.

The REDS outshot the Huskies 9-4 in the first period, and took a 3-0 lead into intermission.

Saint Mary's made a goaltender change to begin the second period, with veteran Matt Welsh (Halifax, NS) replacing Helvig between the pipes.

But it took just 30 seconds into the second period for the high-powered REDS to strike again, with defenceman Kale McCallum (Rothesay, NB) teeing up a one-timer that fluttered past Welsh to put UNB up 4-0.

Midway through the second period the REDS scored again, with Brady Gilmour (Grafton, ON) redirecting a pass from Benjamin Corbeil (Granby, QC) past Welsh, who had lost his stick during a previous REDS chance.

The Huskies had a good chance several moments later, as defenceman Jaxon Bellamy (Hampton, NB) fired a point shot that was saved by Outhouse, but the rebound remained at the edge of the crease where several Huskies had whacks at it before it was covered up.

The REDS outshot the Huskies 16-9 in the second period, taking a 25-13 advantage into intermission.

The Huskies would cut into the REDS lead just under five minutes into the third period, as forward Bradey Johnson (Lindsay, ON) scored a powerplay goal off a great pass from Cedric Ralph (Peterborough, ON), cutting the lead to 5-1.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Bradey Johnson gets the Huskies on the board with a nice powerplay goal!

�� B. Johnson (1)
�� C. Ralph
�� N. Dunkley pic.twitter.com/LRWDdg4MfI

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 28, 2024

The REDS explosive offence continued pushing, but Matt Welsh made some tremendous saves in the third period – first stopping Jason Willms on a two-on-one, and later, with the REDS on a five-on-three powerplay, making an incredible stick save on Keating.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Matt Welsh makes an incredible stick save!! pic.twitter.com/VTu1feDNuq

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 28, 2024

The REDS outshot the Huskies 34-22 on the night, with Griffen Outhouse making 21 saves in the win, while Welsh turned away 23 shots in relief of Helvig, who stopped six shots.

The loss ends the Huskies season, while the REDS will go on to play for their sixth straight AUS Championship, against the Moncton Aigles Bleus, with schedule information to be announced.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Eduardo Ibarra / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics