REDS Beat Panthers

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS picked up their second win of the weekend, scoring a 6-1 win over the visiting UPEI Panthers in Atlantic University Sport women's hockey action on Saturday night at UNB's Aitken Centre.

Ten different REDS put points on the board in the victory.

Katelyn Scott (Almonte, ON), named Tim Horton's Player of the Game, had a goal and two assists while rookie Madelyn Pears (Ottawa, ON) had a goal and an assist.

"Everyone's really excited," said Pears. "It was a big home-opening weekend and everyone's just really happy that we went 2-and-0. Everyone was rolling and I just think that, I had some points tonight, but so did everyone else and I think that was, yeah, it was great."

The REDS dominated possession early, keeping the puck in the Panthers' zone and biding their time.

It didn't take long for an opportunity to arise, as Hailey Jackson (Delburne, AB) fired one home 5:29 into the first period.

UPEI kept it close for most of the rest of the period, with several saves by goalie Erin Cabaday (Oakville, ON).

But with 1:31 remaining, Mackenzie Keenan (Midhurst, ON) threaded the needle through the Panthers defence to setup Pears' goal.

"I shot it and didn't quite know it went in until Hil celebrated, so I celebrated with her," she said.

UNB's Robyn Brokenshire (St. Albert, AB) put the puck past Cabaday 13:08 into the second period, and with only four seconds to go in the period, Lauren Carter (Milton, ON) put her team up 4-0 with a spinning backhand shot.

During the second period, the REDS allowed just one Panthers shot on net and that didn't come until after the 16:00 mark.

UPEI head coach Sean Fisher opted for a change in net for the final period, bringing in Sarah Forsythe (Riverview, NB) to close the game.

She gave up goals to REDS captain Payton Hargreaves (Whitby, ON) and Olivia Eustace (Riverview, NB).

UPEI's lone goal came from Orianna MacNeil (Mabou, NS), 14:45 into the third.

The REDS outshot the Panthers 26-16. 13 of UPEI's shots came in the third period.

Hannah LeClair (Norboro, PE) earned the win in the REDS net, her first AUS victory.

With the win, UNB is 3-1-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL). The Panthers are 1-2-1-0.

They return to Charlottetown for a Friday night tilt with the Dalhousie Tigers. Game time is 7:00pm.

The REDS host the STFX X-Women on Friday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00pm.

RECAP BY: Peter Jewett/for UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Fran Harris/for UNB Athletics