#1 ranked REDS defeat Huskies 8-1

HALIFAX, NS – UNB Reds forward Jax Dubois had four points, leading the defending U SPORTS National Champions to an 8-1 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies on Friday night at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax.

Eight minutes into the first period, Reds defenceman Oscar Plandowski (Halifax, NS) stepped around a Huskies defender and fired a shot over the pad of Huskies netminder Ben West (Barrie, ON), putting the Reds up 1-0 with his first goal of the season.

Moments later, Huskies forward Ben Allison (Halifax, NS) calmly walked into the slot and slipped the puck through Reds goaltender Samuel Richard (Ste. Catherine, QC) five-hole. However, the Reds' defence swept it off the goal line.

Halfway through the period, the Huskies returned to the powerplay, looking for their opportunity. The Reds successfully killed off their penalty, keeping the pressure on the Huskies. A break came when Reds forward Peter Reynolds (Fredericton, NB) snapped a quick shot off, but Ben West made the pad save.

Huskies, looking for the tying goal, as Ben Roger (Brighton, ON) rifled a shot off a cross-zone pass, but it hit the crossbar.

As the period's final minutes wound down, the Reds pounced on another opportunity when Macauley Carson (Midhurst, ON) put it over the shoulder of West, lengthening their lead to 2-0.

The Reds outshot the Huskies 18-7 in the first period. As the teams headed into the intermission, the Reds led 2-0.

Two minutes into the second period, Reds forward Sean McGurn (Ottawa, ON) stepped into the slot as his shot was interrupted by a Huskies defender, but it still found its way under the pads of West, putting the Reds up 3-0.

Moments later, Reds forward Jax Dubois (Ottawa, ON) received a pass from teammate Macauley Carson in front of the crease and put it into the back of the net, making the score 4-0.

Capitalizing on a turnover, Carson and Dubois had a two-man breakaway. Dubois scored his second of the game shorthanded, extending the Reds' lead to five.

Halfway through the period, the Huskies went on the penalty kill. Seconds into their penalty, Reds forward Emmett Sproule (Collingwood, ON) sent a lob shot from the point that bounced into the back of the net, making it 6-0.

In the final minutes of the second period, Huskies forward Derek Gentile (Sydney, NS) had a breakaway opportunity; a Reds defender impeded his chance, which resulted in a penalty shot, an opportunity that he sent wide.

The Reds outshot the Huskies 32-11 in the second period and led 6-0 heading into the intermission.

Under a minute into the third period, Huskies forward Ben Boyd (Dartmouth, NS), on the doorstep of the Reds crease, tucked it into the net, getting the Huskies on the board 6-1.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Huskies hit the scoreboard in tonight's loss to UNB.

��B. Boyd
��N. Dunkley
��B. Roger pic.twitter.com/R0KhwOpLpK

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 9, 2024

The teams took coincidental penalties, resulting in two minutes of four-on-four play. Utilizing the open ice, McGurn sent it over the shoulder of Huskies netminder Justin Sumarah (Halifax, NS), extending their lead back to six.

Moments later, Huskies defenceman Ben Roger again found himself open in the slot to fire a shot, but it hit the post.

Halfway through the period, Reds defenceman Justin Nolet (Mississauga, ON) fired a shot from the faceoff circle through traffic, but Huskies goaltender Justin Sumarah made the glove save.

Seconds after the Reds penalty ended, forward Emmett Sproule put one in the back of the Huskies net for his second of the game, making it 8-1.

With under five minutes to go in the period, Reds forward Cody Morgan (Gilford, ON), from in close, fired a shot that hit the post, but Huskies netminder Justin Sumarah made the second save.

With under two minutes left in the period, the Huskies headed to the penalty kill to close out the game. The Huskies defence stood firm and successfully killed off their penalty, keeping the score 8-1.

The Reds outshot the Huskies 50-22 in the game, with Sumarah and West each stopping 21 shots, while Samuel Richard turned away 21 shots for the win.

Player of the game went to Reds forward Jax Dubois who had two goals and two assists on the game.

The Huskies loss drops their record to 5-5-1-0 on the season. They'll be back on the ice tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 9, when they host the Moncton Aigles Bleus (7-3-1-0) at 7 p.m. at the Dauphinee Centre. GET TICKETS

The U SPORTS #1 ranked Reds fourth straight win improves their record to 10-0-1-0 on the campaign. They'll visit the Acadia Axemen (6-5-0-0) tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Andrew H. McCain Arena.

Recap by Alyson Duffy / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics