Top ranked REDS topple Huskies 3-1

HALIFAX, NS – The U SPORTS #1 ranked UNB REDS continued their winning streak, defeating the Saint Mary's Huskies 3-1 win on Saturday night at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax.

A loud crowd of 429 fans packed the Dauphinee Centre for a much-anticipated showdown against the defending National Champion REDS, and the Huskies looked motivated to pull of an upset early, as they recorded the first three shots on goal, but were stifled by REDS netminder Samuel Richard (Ste. Catherine, QC).

The REDS were able to capitalize on their first shot on goal of the night, as defenceman Sam McGinley (Calgary, AB) played a long pass off the left boards onto the stick of forward Emmett Sproule (Collingwood, ON), who played a great pass onto the stick of defenceman Oscar Plandowski (Halifax, NS), who was able to beat Huskies goaltender Justin Sumarah (Halifax, NS) over the left shoulder to give the visitors a 1-0 lead, 8:03 into the first period.

Saint Mary's pushed for an equalizer and received a pair of powerplay opportunities. The Huskies nearly scored on the first powerplay as forward Matthew MacDonald (Halifax, NS) rang a shot off a post after a scramble in front of the REDS goal, and UNB was able to kill of the penalty.

On the second Huskies powerplay, it was the REDS who would double their lead, with forward Jax Dubois (Ottawa, ON) winning the puck away at the REDS blueline and sparking linemate Cole MacKay (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) on a breakaway, where he was able to beat Sumarah with a nifty backhand deke to score a shorthanded goal, doubling the lead to 2-0 with 3:36 remaining in the first.

The Huskies outshot the REDS 7-6 through 20 minutes, but it was the visitors who took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

Midway through the second period, the REDS would extend their lead again courtesy of forward Sean McGurn (Ottawa, ON) who took a pass from linemate Cole Huckins (Upper Kingsclear, NB) and fired a shot that bounced off the top of Sumarah's pad and in, giving UNB a 3-0 advantage.

Saint Mary's would get a goal back a few minutes later. With the REDS on the powerplay, forward Charlie Da Fonseca (Thornhill, ON) blocked a shot and the puck was picked up by forward Derek Gentile (Sydney, NS) who carried it into the REDS zone and played a pass back to Da Fonseca, who was able to lift is over Richard's pad for his second goal of the season, cutting the visitors lead to 3-1.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Charlie Da Fonseca scores a shorthanded goal to cut the Reds lead to 3-1 in the second period!

��C. Da Fonseca (2)
��D. Gentile pic.twitter.com/t6RVZQ9VH8

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 19, 2024

The REDS outshot the Huskies 14-6 in the second period, and took a 3-1 lead into second intermission.

In the third period, the Huskies pushed hard for an equalizer and outshot the REDS 16-2, but Richard was clutch, as he stopped 28 shots for the 3-1 win.

Forward Cole MacKay was named Player of the Game with a goal. The Huskies outshot the REDS 29-22 in the game, with Richard stopping 28 shots for the win, while Sumarah turned away 19 in defeat.

The REDS win improves their record to 6-0-0 on the campaign, while Saint Mary's drops to 4-2-0.

The REDS will be back on home ice next weekend, hosting the STFX X-Men on Friday and Dalhousie Tigers on Saturday in Fredericton, NB.

The Huskies will be on the road this week, visiting the Acadia Axemen on Wednesday in Wolfville, and the UPEI Panthers on Friday in Charlottetown, PEI, with both games scheduled to drop the puck at 7 p.m.

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