BY MICHAEL BOURGEOIS FOR UNB COMMUNICATIONS
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Varsity Reds scored three times on 40 shots in a 3-2 win over the Dalhousie Tigers, in a game played at the Aitken University Centre.
Philippe Maillet led the Varsity Reds, picking up a goal and an assist in the victory.
The Tigers drew first blood, Andrew Wigginton's power-play goal coming on Dal's fourth shot of the opening frame.
The Varsity Reds failed to score in the first period, but had a decided offensive advantage, peppering the Dalhousie net with 16 shots.
"Obviously you don't want to be down 1-0 after one, but we know what we can do and we're a confident team, so if we put it all together good things are gonna happen," said Maillet, named first star of the game.
Coming out of the dressing room, the Varsity Reds wasted little time. Jordan Murray snuck a backhand shot past Dalhousie keeper Corbin Boes to make it 1-1 just 34 seconds into the second.
The Varsity Reds continued to push on offence. Maillet scored an unassisted goal seven minutes later, as UNB took a 2-1 lead.
A third UNB goal, by Peter Trainor, sparked some rough stuff. Players from both teams grabbed hold of each other. Chris Caissy would get five and a game after the dust settled. That means he'll miss the next game.
Dalhousie was held to only three shots in the second period.
Emotions continued to run high in the third period. A handful of penalties were given to both teams, including five 10 minute misconducts. In all, the teams accumulated 93 minutes in penalties.
Dalhousie made things interesting when Phil Gadoury batted a puck past Alex Dubeau. But the Varsity Reds would limit the Tigers to just three more shots, halting their comeback attempt.
Despite a sensational effort by Boes, who made 37 saves, the Varsity Reds picked up their third win of the season and remain undefeated.
"I think we did pretty well tonight," said Maillet. "3-2, it might not have represented what we did, but they had a good goalie and sometimes when you face a good goalie you just have to battle through."
"It proves how hard you have to work to get your two points in the AUS, doesn't matter who you play," said UNB head coach Gardiner MacDougall. "You'd like to try to get the lead at home, but I thought we were resilient and we found a way to get back."
The Varsity Reds play their cross-campus rivals, the St. Thomas Tommies, Wednesday night at the Grant Harvey Centre while the Tigers host Acadia in their home opener at the Halifax Forum.