It was the second straight game between the Reds and the Tommies, with last week’s game ending in historic fashion. This week’s game proved no different as the University of New Brunswick put St. Thomas University away in overtime to take the two points.
Last week’s game saw UNB score five unanswered goals, including four shorthanded goals in the third period. The Reds came from behind and defeated STU 5-3 at the Lady Beaverbrook Rink.
This week’s game was played at the Aiken Center, with over 3,000 fans cheering on the Battle of the Hill.
The Tommies got off to a slow start with the Reds’ Daine Todd scoring just five minutes into the game. Throughout the first two periods, it looked as though STU didn’t belong on the same ice as the Reds. UNB had amazing puck work in both the offensive and defensive ends of the ice.
STU’s only bright spot through those two periods was the brilliant performance by the Tommies netminder Charles Lavigne. He had over 30 saves in the first two periods and managed to keep the Tommies in the game.
But with a late goal by Stephen Sanza, STU was soon only down 2-1, even after being outshot 21-4 in the second period. UNB’s Bretton Stamler had the second goal for the Reds.
The third period was a totally different story for the Tommies as they looked like a rejuvenated squad on the ice.
With help from several powerplay opportunities, STU outshot the defending CIS champions by 12 in the third, including a controversial powerplay goal by Randy Cameron for his second point of the night.
STU was all over the puck and was got a late 5-on-3 with the game on the line. The Tommies set up a the powerplay and with less than 30 seconds left Mike Reich had a wide open shot from just inside the slot, but was absolutely robbed by the pad of Travis Fullerton.
The game was sent into overtime guaranteeing the Tommies at least one point against the Reds. But UNB controlled the ice and it didn’t take long for them to notch the game winner. Stamler scored his second goal of the game off a weird bounce to give UNB the 3-2 win and the second straight against STU.
The bright spots for the Tommies were Lavigne’s 40 save effort, while Cameron and Sanza both added two points apiece.
With that loss, STU is five points behind St. FX for the sixth and final playoff spot in the AUS heading into the Christmas break. STU’s next game is against Dalhousie on Jan. 6.
