(HALIFAX, N.S.) - After losing 7-2 on Saturday night to StFX, the UNB Varsity Reds (12-3-1) returned to form as they defeated the Saint Mary's Huskies (7-9-0) by a score of 6-4 at the Halifax Forum on Sunday.
The Varsity Reds overcame four one-goal deficits in the win and took their first lead of the game with less than six minutes to play in the third period. Chris Culligan and Thomas Nesbitt had two goals each for UNB; Culligan tallied the game-tying goal to even the score at 4-4 while Nesbitt picked up the game-winner. UNB's Nick MacNeil and Jordan Murray garnered three assists each in the victory.
Huskies defenceman Jamie Doornbosch opened the scoring six minutes into the first period when his point shot found a way through goaltender Charles Lavigne who was screened by Lucas Bloodoff.
UNB answered back six minutes later when Doornbosch made an errant pass through the middle of his defensive end that was picked off. Culligan then sent a wrist shot toward the net that was redirected by Phillipe Maillet past goaltender Anthony Peters.
The two teams traded goals before the end of the period to keep the score knotted at 2-2.
During the second period, a golden opportunity was presented to the Huskies when they were given a full minute of 5-on-3 powerplay time. The Huskies had many chances during the two-man advantage but several of their point shots were blocked and Lavigne was able to stop four shots from in close.
Saint Mary's Ryan Hillier was able to break the tie with under five minutes to go in the second when he finished off a nice cross-crease pass from Mitchell Maynard. But with only 10 seconds remaining in the period, UNB struck again when Adrian Robertson's point shot found the back of the net after a face-off win in the Huskies' zone.
The Huskies took their fourth lead of the game two minutes into the third period. Again, it was Jamie Doornbosch who scored when his wrist shot from the point handcuffed a stickless Lavigne.
With six minutes to go, defenceman Jordan Murray sent Culligan on a breakaway. The Varsity Reds' captain deked Peters and scored on the forehand. UNB won the ensuing face-off and Thomas Nesbitt streaked down the right wing and beat Peters with a wrist shot blocker side, just fifteen seconds after tying the game.
Culligan scored on the empty net to seal the victory, it was his 12th goal of the season which ranks him second in the AUS behind Liam Heelis of Acadia who has 16.
UNB will play their next game at home on Jan. 10 while the Huskies will host the Dalhousie Tigers this Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m.
Source: Brian Mosher for Saint Mary's Sports Information