REDS defeat Huskies 3-2 in Halifax

HALIFAX, NS – The U SPORTS #1 ranked UNB REDS scored three unanswered second period goals on their way to beating the #7 ranked Saint Mary's Huskies 3-2 on Saturday night at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax.

The clash of the two nationally ranked opponents – a rematch of last year's AUS Final series – had a playoff-like intensity from the opening moments, as there were several big hits resulting in penalties in the first period, but neither team was able to capitalize on the powerplay.

With just over two minutes remaining in the first period, the Huskies nearly opened the scoring when Thomas Casey (Charlottetown, PEI) drew REDS netminder Samuel Richard (Ste. Catherine, QC) out of his crease, and found Andrew Coxhead (Bedford, NS), but Coxhead's shot was deflected wide of the empty net and the game remained scoreless.

After coinciding penalties, the Huskies would find their go-ahead goal during four-on-four play, as forward Reid Valade (Caledon, ON) controlled the puck after a face-off in the Huskies end, before breaking away down the left wing and cutting in to his forehand where he snuck it past Richard for his first career AUS regular season goal, giving the home team a 1-0 lead with less than 30 seconds remaining in the period.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Reid Valade was too fast for our camera on this breakaway goal, the first of his Huskies career to give @SMUMensHockey a 1-0 lead after the first period! (Keep watching for a clear view on the replay)

�� R. Valade (1) pic.twitter.com/BvjDmxI4BM

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 21, 2023

The Huskies outshot the REDS 8-5 through the first 20 minutes, and took a 1-0 lead into intermission.

The back-and-forth play continued in the second period, with both goaltenders making big plays. Huskies forward Ben Allison (Halifax, NS) had several quality scoring chances but was denied by Richard, while REDS forward Austen Keating broke in on a partial breakaway, but was unable to beat Matt Welsh (Halifax, NS).

Midway through the period, the Huskies would double their lead as forward Jake Uberti (Toronto, ON) dangled through the REDS zone, and found Ben Higgins (Truro, NS) for a one-timer that beat Richard short-side to make it 2-0 Huskies.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Jake Uberti sets up Ben Higgins for his first of the season, doubling the Huskies lead to 2-0 midway through the second period.

��B. Higgins (1)
�� J. Uberti
�� L. Van Loon pic.twitter.com/baQY8yrkYw

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 21, 2023

Just over two minutes later, the Huskies headed on a powerplay in hopes of adding to their lead, but it was the REDS who would capitalize, as forward Michael Petizian (Mississauga, ON) cut down the right wing and centred a pass onto the stick of forward Isaac Nurse (Hamilton, ON), who cut the Huskies lead to 2-1 with a shorthanded goal.

The REDS would get an extended powerplay of their own after Huskies captain Andrew Coxhead was whistled for a four-minute kneeing penalty, and they would find an equalizer with the man-advantage. As defenceman Kade Landry (Gowanstown, ON) walked in and fired a shot past a screened Matt Welsh to tie the game at 2-2 with just under three minutes remaining in the second period.

After allowing back-to-back goals, the Huskies frustrations seemed to boil over. First defenceman Jaxon Bellamy (Hampton, NB) was sent to the penalty box after a skirmish in the REDS zone, and less than a minute later, forward Cedric Ralph (Peterborough, ON) would join him.

On the ensuing five-on-three powerplay the REDS would score their third unanswered goal, as forward Cody Morgan (Gilford, ON) one-timed a shot past Welsh to make it 3-2 with just under a minute remaining.

The REDS outshot the Huskies 16-5 in the period, and took a 3-2 lead into the second intermission.

The third period was more of the same – the Huskies pushed for an equalizer, but couldn't stay out of the penalty box as they would finish the game with nine penalties against for a total of 28 minutes.

With less than two minutes remaining, the Huskies pulled Welsh from goal and had a good chance on goal but defenceman Dennis Busby (Oro-Medonte, ON) narrowly missed the net with a wrist shot.

REDS defenceman Kade Landry was named Played of the Game with one goal, and one assist.

The REDS outshot the Huskies 33-19 on the night, with Samuel Richard stopping 17 shots for the win, while Matt Welsh made 30 saves in defeat.

The REDS win improves their record 6-0-0 on the season. UNB will be back on home ice next weekend as they host Acadia on Friday, before a rematch against the Huskies on Saturday night.

The Huskies third straight loss drops their record to 3-3-0 on the year. Saint Mary's will be on the road next weekend, as they visit Moncton on Friday night and UNB on Saturday night.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics