St. Mary’s claws through V-Reds to take AUS title

Two power play goals from Andrew Hotham lifted the St. Mary’s Huskies to a 5-1 victory over the UNB Varsity Reds in the final match of the AUS championship series.

Because of a wildcard spot that rotates from league to league each year, both teams now move on to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport men’s hockey championships being held in Thunder Bay this weekend.

Hotham opened the scoring for SMU three minutes after the opening puck drop.

The defenseman scored again at the conclusion of the period on a controversial marker that crossed the goal line as the buzzer sounded to end the frame.

John Scott Dickson gave the V-Reds life early in the second, but it was as close as they come.

SMU poured it on from there, with league MVP Marc Rancourt cutting to the middle and sliding a low wrist shot under V-Reds rookie goalie Travis Fullerton at 13:59 of the second.

Cody Thornton and Scott Brophy potted third period goals for the Huskies.

Brandon Verge stole the show in the St Mary’s net, stopped 27 of 28 shots he faced.

Three of SMU’s five goals came on the power play. Attendance for the game was Verge was named playoff MVP.