Top-ranked REDS defeat Huskies 6-2

HALIFAX, NS – UNB forward Sean McGurn scored two goals and added an assist and goaltender Remi Delafontaine turned away 40 shots, helping lead the U SPORTS #1 ranked REDS to a 6-2 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies in Atlantic University Sport men's hockey action on Saturday night at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax.

It was Military Appreciation Night at the Dauphinee Centre, and the Huskies honoured equipment managers and veterans Mike Fines (CPO2) and Ken Gardner (SAR Flight Engineer) with a ceremonial puck-drop pre-game.

The Huskies created some early offensive opportunities, including several shots on goal from league-leading scorer Derek Gentile (Sydney, NS) but REDS goaltender Remi Delafontaine (Sherbrooke, QC) turned away the attempts.

Late in the period, the REDS league-leading powerplay capitalized on an opportunity, as Justin Nolet (Missisauga, ON) played a cross-ice pass to Sean McGurn (Ottawa, ON) who beat Huskies netminder Ben West (Barrie, ON), giving the visitors a 1-0 lead, 14:39 into the first period.

Both teams fired 11 shots on goal through the opening 20 minutes, and the REDS took a 1-0 lead into first intermission.

Early in the second period the Huskies had a powerplay opportunity of their own, and generated several quality scoring opportunities, but Ben Boyd (Dartmouth, NS) was stopped on the door step by Delafontaine, and Derek Gentile hit the crossbar, as the REDS killed off the penalty.

But five minutes later the Huskies got another powerplay opportunity, and this time took advantage. Forward Cedric Ralph (Peterborough, ON) fired a backhand shot that was knocked around in the crease, and Derek Gentile took advantage, knocking the loose puck into goal to tie the game at 1-1, 9:57 into the second period.

HUSKIE HIGHLIGHTS ��

Another powerplay goal for the nations leading point scorer! Derek Gentile finds Cedric Ralph's rebound and scores his team leading 12th of the season to tie the game at 1-1.

��D. Gentile (12)
��C. Ralph
��B. Boyd pic.twitter.com/2g0uZeKDt9

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 19, 2025

Just over a minute later, the REDS retook the lead on a similar play to the Huskies goal, as forward Emmett Sproule (Collingwood, ON) fired a shot that was stopped by West, but Oliver Peer (Burlington, ON) jumped on the rebound and stuffed it past West to restore the REDS lead 2-1, 11:55 into the second period.

The Huskies outshot the REDS 15-12 in the second period, but it was the visitors who took a 2-1 lead into second intermission.

Four minutes into the third period, the REDS extended their lead when defenceman Roberto Mancini (Maple, ON) fired a point shot that was redirected into goal by Emmett Sproule, extending the lead to 3-1, 4:03 into the third period.

The Huskies cut it back to a one-goal difference moments later, as forward Nathan Dunkley (Campbellford, ON) broke down the wing and sniped a shot past Delafontaine to make it a 3-2 game, 5:53 into the third period.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Nathan Dunkley with a snipe to cut the Reds lead to 4-2!

��N. Dunkley (11)
��B. Roger pic.twitter.com/uwxsu7GdgT

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 19, 2025

But that was as close as the Huskies would get as the REDS scored three unanswered goals to secure the win. Forward Michael Petizian (Mississauga, ON) scored at the 9:45 mark of the period, followed by powerplay goals from Sean McGurn and Drew Elliott (Musquash, NB) in the final two minutes of regulation, as the REDS secured a 6-2 win.

The Huskies outshot the REDS 42-37 on the night, but Delafontaine was excellent, turning away 40 shots for the win, while Ben West made 31 saves in defeat.

With the win, the REDS improve to 19-1-1-0 on the campaign. The REDS will be back in Halifax next Friday, Jan. 24 as they visit the Dalhousie Tigers (3-19-0-0) at 7 p.m. at the Halifax Forum.

The Huskies loss drops their record to 12-8-2-0 on the season. Saint Mary's will be back on home ice on Wednesday, Jan. 22, hosting the Acadia Axemen (10-10-1-1) at 7 p.m. at the Dauphinee Centre. GET TICKETS

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