(FREDERICTON, N.B.) The UNB Varsity Reds men's hockey team managed to stay ahead and post a 4-2 victory over the visiting Dalhousie Tigers in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

The stands of the Aitken University Centre were filled with signs and painted faces as the Varsity Reds welcomed Northside elementary school students and their families for the second elementary school night of the season. 

UNB opened up the scoring at 7:43, when Colin Suellentrop fired off a hard shot that bounced in past Dalhousie goalie Corbin Boes. The assist went to Francis Beauvillier and Adrian Robertson.

Just over a minute later, the Varsity Reds lit it up again when Dana Fraser found the net on the power play.Philippe Maillet and Cameron Brace had the assist this time, and the V-Reds were up 2-0 before the Tigers even had a shot on goal.

The second period started off scoreless, but Brace picked up his second goal of the night and tenth of the season around 14 minutes in. Randy Gazzola and Peter Trainor had the assist on a clean beat past Boes.

The Tigers clawed back as the period wound down and managed to take advantage of a five-on-three situation and get on the board. Andrew Rieder had the goal off an assist from Matt English and JP Harvey.

And with just eight seconds to go in the second period, the Tigers would draw to within one, when Dan Joyce snuck the puck past Varsity Reds' goaltender Chris Carrozzi. Harvey had the assist yet again.

Philippe Halley gave UNB some breathing room late in the third, as he put up the fourth goal for the Varsity Reds off an assist from Robertson with just over three minutes left. 

The AUS top-ranked V-Reds, who have clinched a first-round playoff bye, now move to record of 21-3-2. Seventh-ranked Dalhousie moves to a record of 6-19-1.

The Varsity Reds play next when they host Moncton on February 4 at 7pm.

The Tigers play next against Saint Mary's at the same time.

Source: UNB Athletics