REDS defeat Tigers 5-0

Written by Ryan Hyndman

The UNB REDS defeated the Dalhousie Tigers 5-0 in AUS regular season action on Saturday night.

The first few minutes of the game saw the Tigers get some offensive pressure, but thanks to some key blocks and nice saves from Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, BC), the REDS kept it 0-0 early. UNB then countered with a nice shot in close from Lillian George (Nipissing First Nation), however, Maggie Baxter (Mahone Bay, NS) made the save to keep it tied up. Just under halfway through the period, the REDS got their first powerplay opportunity and continued to push for the opening goal. More saves from Baxter and some strong penalty-killing from Dalhousie negated any UNB scoring chances. With a minute left, the Reds got another powerplay and capitalized within seconds as Payton Hargreaves found the back of the net to make it 1-0 after one period of play.

The second period began with the REDS getting yet another powerplay just a minute in. Despite peppering several shots at Baxter, UNB was unable to add to their lead. Minutes later, Robyn Brokenshier (St. Albert, Alberta) deposited a rebound sitting out front to make it 2-0 for the REDS. As UNB continued to push to extend their lead, Rylee Strohm (Kingsville, ON) found herself on a break and made no mistake with a great shot to further extend the lead to 3-0. About halfway through the second period, the Tigers got an opportunity on the powerplay to try and get back in the game. After the REDS killed a minute of their penalty, they were called for another, sending the Tigers on a 5-on-3 chance. However, it did not slow down UNB, as they successfully killed the first penalty and sent captain Hargreaves in on a breakaway where she capitalized for a shorthanded goal, her second of the game, making it 4-0 REDS. That's how the period ended and UNB took the four-goal lead to the final period.

The REDS started the third strong again, getting several chances on Baxter, but she was able to make the saves and negate another goal. At the other end, Reagan Duffy (Burlington, ON) danced around a defenceman and got a shot in close but Woodland stood tall to keep the shutout intact. Dalhousie continued to push, directing plenty of action toward the REDS net however Woodland continued to have the answers. With under 10 minutes remaining the UNB would get one last powerplay to try and add to their lead. The Tigers were able to kill it off, but not long after the REDS found the back of the net once again, off a shot from George, to make it 5-0 with a few minutes left in the game. The Tigers would have one more short chance on the powerplay, but 5-0 is how the game would end in favour of the REDS.

Payton Hargreaves took home the player of the game award for the UNB REDS.

The Tigers' next game is Friday, October 20th at 7:00 pm against St. Thomas in Fredericton where they will look to get back in the win column.

The REDS will look to keep it rolling with their next game coming Friday, October 20th at 7:00 pm taking on Mt. Allison in Sackville, New Brusnwick.