REDS Blank Tommies to Move Within Win of AUS Final

(FREDERICTON, N.B.) The UNB REDS took a commanding step toward the AUS Championship finals Sunday night, shutting out the St. Thomas Tommies 3-0 at the Grant-Harvey Centre.

With the victory, UNB takes a 2-1 lead in the Bell AUS Women's Hockey Championship best-of-five semifinal series and is now just one win away from clinching a spot in the conference finals. 

The REDS established their lead late in the first period. At 4:28 in the first period, Keira Grant (Jorja Nystrom and Avery Thurston) found the back of the net to give UNB a 1-0 advantage. UNB extended the margin in the first period with a great opportunity. Lauren Carter capitalized at 13:34, assisted by Rylee Strohm  to make it 2-0. Despite being outshot 11-9 in the opening frame, the REDS defensive posture held firm. 

In the second period in a PP Hailey Jackson extended the lead to 3-0 for the REDS assisted by Katelyn Scott. The Tommies struggled to respond, finishing the night 0-for-2 on the power play. St. Thomas intensified the pressure in the third period, outshooting UNB 7-2, but goaltender Cassie McCallum turned aside every attempt to secure the 24-save shutout.  

Keira Grant was named Boston Pizza Player of the Game  

The REDS now look to carry this momentum forward as they aim to punch their ticket to the AUS finals in Game 4. The two team will face off again on Monday March 2 at the Grant Harvey Centre with puck drop at 7 p.m. 

Recap courtesy St. Thomas Tommies Athletics