REDS defeat Huskies 2-1 in Fredericton

FREDERICTON, NB - The UNB REDS top line scored two goals to drive the home team in a 2-1 victory over the visiting Saint Mary's Huskies, Friday night at UNB's Aitken Center.

Linemates, Lily George (Nipissing First Nation) and Katelyn Scott (Almonte, ON) were the two REDS to score.

REDS goaltender Cassie McCallum (Rothesay, NB) earned Tim Horton's Player of the Game honours, stopping 17 of 18 shots.

Both teams brought intensity, showing that they're ready for the upcoming AUS playoffs.

The majority of the first period unfolded in the neutral zone, with both teams showcasing strong performances, both offensively and defensively.

At the period's halfway mark, the REDS had their best opportunity.

George danced around a Huskies defender and found Scott wide open in front of the net. Huskies' goalie Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB) tracked the play and stopped the shot.

Scott was the first to find the back of the net though, at 14:25 of the second period.

While breaking down the wing on a two-on-one with George, Scott made a shot to Hansen's pad, collecting her own rebound and firing the puck into the top of the net making it a 1-0 game.

With 17 seconds left in the period, George made waves of her own, passing the puck to Mackenzie Keenan (Midhurst, ON) as she rounded the top of the face-off circle. Keenan passed the puck back to George, who fired one-timer past Hansen.

In the third period, on a breakaway, Aimee O'Neill (Glace Bay, NS) managed to hold off pressure from a REDS defender, scoring the first Huskies goal, beating McCallum glove side.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Avery Cant springs Aimee O'Neill on the breakaway, and she makes no mistake, cutting the REDS lead to 2-1 midway through the third period!

�� A. O'Neill (6)
�� A. Cant pic.twitter.com/OAogbgDxy1

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 3, 2024

The Huskies then gave their best effort, but with a strong REDS defence, and incredible goaltending from McCallum, UNB held on, winning the game 2-1.

The REDS, now 20-5-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL) and tied in first in the AUS standings, return to action on Saturday, hosting the STFX X-Women. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00pm.

Saint Mary's hits the ice again on Saturday, visiting St. Thomas. Game time 7:00pm.

RECAP BY: Madison Tucker/for UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Fran Harris/for UNB Athletics