(FREDERICTON, N.B.) - Rookie forward and former Memorial Cup champion Mitchell Maynard slid back on defence Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Subway AUS men's hockey championship semifinals and scored the game-winner in double-overtime as the Huskies upset the UNB Varsity Reds 2-1 before 2,671 fans at the Aitken Centre.
"We're down guys so we need to fill in those spots," Maynard said. "[Going back on defence] is something I've been able to do in my career and feel confident in the position. I just want to do whatever I can to help the team in the playoffs so we can go as far as we can."
Maynard's goal came on the power-play five minutes into the second overtime. Steven Johnston won the draw following a Marc-Antoine Desnoyers high-sticking penalty and Maynard wristed it far-side top corner for the winner.
The Huskies' Steven MacAuley opened the scoring midway through the first period, cashing in on a loose puck by the post for his fourth goal in the last three games.
After a scoreless second period, UNB cashed in on the power-play. Chris Culligan slung a cross-ice pass to Philippe Maillet who one-timed a shot on goal, and Philippe Halley was right there to bank in the rebound with just under nine minutes to go in regulation.
That was the only time UNB beat Huskies goaltender Anthony Peters, who made 50 saves to earn Subway First Start of the Game honours.
UNB forward Tyler Carroll made his return to the V-Reds lineup on a line with Cam Critchlow and Dylan Willick. Carroll has missed 22 games this season because of various injuries, and hadn't played since Jan. 4.
He put up a game-high nine shots on goal in his return, including a great chance in the second period on a breakaway but was turned aside by Peters' toe.
UNB has run into a hot goaltender like Peters before – who's now riding a 1.42 GAA through four playoff games – but Willick said the key is to keep trying to make the most of their chances.
"We gotta be happy with the fact that we are getting those chances and we have to realize that the puck is going to go in and we have to stay away from being frustrated and just keep on playing like that," he said.
Both teams will have less than 24 hours to regroup with Game 2 set for 7 p.m. Thursday night at the Aitken Centre.
Source: Nick Murray, The Brunswickan