REDS top Tigers 6-0

By Andy Campbell

(FREDERICTON, NB) James Phelan (Laval, QC) scored once and assisted on another pair of goals to lead the UNB REDS in a 6-0 over the Dalhousie Tigers, in a Saturday matinee at UNB's Aitken Centre.

Phelan assisted on the game's first goal, and eventual game winner, by Brady Gilmour (Grafton, ON) at 6:34 of the first period.

"I thought we started really good today after a big, emotional game last night, I thought the guys responded well to the quick turnaround," said Phelan. "Everybody came with their work boots and it was good."

Phelan's three-point game earned him Subway Player of the Game honours.

REDS captain Samuel Dove-McFalls (Montreal, QC) doubled UNB's first period lead on a nifty move around Tigers' goalie Connor Hicks (Kanata, ON) and the REDS led 2-0 after twenty minutes.

Mark Rassell (Calgary, AB) extended that lead early in the second period.

He was left all alone in front of Hicks and stick handled the puck into the Dal net in a dazzling display of skill.

Phelan's goal followed, mid-way through the period, to give UNB a 4-0 lead after 40 minutes.

Isaac Nurse (Hamilton, ON) scored twice in the third, including a goal that found the smallest of windows, top corner on Hicks' glove hand side.

"I just went back to what I know and just went quick to my forehand and just put it upstairs," said Nurse. "It lucked out for me and went in, so I'm happy with it."

Along with Phelan and Nurse, Rassell, Gilmour, Jason Willms (Kitchener, ON), Macauley Carson (Midhurst, ON) and Kade Landry (Gowanstown, ON) also had multi-point games.

"Slowly, I'm finding my game," said Phelan. "It's been a long way back from one year not playing. We've got 14 games played, and some guys find it quicker, but I think our line is really picking up. It feels good out there."

Rylan Parenteau (Saskatoon, SK) made 17 saves for the shut-out, 11 of those shots coming in the third period alone.

Hicks saw a total of 42 UNB shots.

"I thought we worked really hard, I just don't think we capitalized on our chances," said Tigers forward Logan Johnston (Fredericton, NB). "The puck was kind of bouncing, but not bouncing our way. Overall, it was a tough game, but I think we're right there as far as competing with those guys."

The Tigers went 0-for-3 on the power-play and had trouble generating offensive chances when playing five-on-five.

"We're coming into games, even games like this, knowing that we can beat these teams," said Johnston. "Obviously, tonight, it didn't go our way."

With the win, the REDS improve to 13-and-1 and sit atop the Atlantic University Sport standings.

UNB has won six straight.

"This weekend, we had great team efforts in both games," said Nurse. "Ryles (Parenteau) stood on his head for us as well and that helped us tremendously. It was a productive weekend for us."

The Tigers see their record fall to 6-7-1-0. They head home to prepare for a Wednesday date with StFX.

The REDS travel to Wolfville on Friday to face Acadia. Game time is 7:00pm.