The UNB Varsity Reds will be making their second consecutive appearance at the Bell Varsity Cup and are ready to defend their title. The V-Reds were silver medallists at the CIS National Championships last year in Fredericton and have been in the Top 10 this season. UNB (7-7-0-0 AUS, 10-9-0 overall) is in the annual battle that is the very tough AUS hockey conference, sitting in fourth place only 4 points behind first place St. Mary's. This season has so far seen them record a five game winning streak but unfortunately also a five game losing streak. However, they are still in the hunt at the halfway mark of the season in the CIS conference that has the most parity.
Head Coach Gardiner McDougall said his team is looking forward to the opportunity to defend their title. "The Bell Varsity Cup is a first class event in CIS University Hockey and our team was treated in a very professional manner last year and enjoyed many positive memories. It appears that the tournament committee has done a great job of attracting even greater competition for this year's event from throughout the country to play in a great hockey environment in Thunder Bay. Last year, our team enjoyed the quality games and competition we played, the opportunity to grow as a team, as well as the occasion to showcase our team in front of a very knowledgeable and passionate fan base. It certainly was one of our season's highlights and was a foundational part of our team's success in getting to the Championship Game of the CIS National Championships."
Historical Head to Head:
UNB is 2-0 vs. Lakehead, 2-0 vs. Ottawa, and has not played Manitoba.
This year's edition of UNB Hockey is one of the youngest in Canada with 19 players either in their first or second year; including 10 new players to the line-up. The traditional UNB trademarks of speed, grittiness, and a strong work ethic are readily apparent in their style of play and they have upgraded their size at both the forward and defensive positions.
Goaltending remains a key strongpoint with 1st Team All Canadian Reg Bourcier off to another strong start while former AUS All-Star Gene Chiarello has made an inspirational comeback from cancer. UNB boasts another solid goaltender in Andy Leblanc. On the blue-line, All Canadian Kevin Young and CIS Tournament All-Star and Captain Craig Mahon anchor a solid and experienced core while 2003 Bell Varsity Cup All-Star Troy Stonier headlines a fleet group of forwards who enjoy playing an up tempo entertaining style of hockey. Stonier and rookie sensation Rob Hennigar from the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL are among the top scorers in the CIS and the AUS. Hennigar has 6 goals and 14 assists for 20 points (4th AUS) while Stonier has 6 goals and 13 assists for 19 points and 6th place in the AUS.
UNB 2004-05 Results:
Sat Nov 27 UPEI 4 UNB 2
Wed Nov 24 UNB 5 St. Thomas 2
Sat Nov 20 Moncton 4 UNB 2
Fri Nov 19 UPEI 5 UNB 2
Sat Nov 13 Saint Mary's 7 UNB 3
Fri Nov 12 Acadia 6 UNB 2
Sat Nov 6 Saint Mary's 3 UNB 1
Fri Nov 5 UNB 7 Acadia 3
Wed Nov 3 UNB 3 St. Thomas 0
Sat Oct 30 UNB 6 Dalhousie 2
Fri Oct 29 UNB 4 StFX 1
Sat Oct 23 UNB 3 Dalhousie 1
Fri Oct 22 StFX 3 UNB 1
Sat Oct 16 UNB 3 UQTR 1 NC
Fri Oct 15 UNB 7 Moncton 1
Sat Oct 9 Boston College 7 UNB 2 EX
Wed Oct 6 UNB 4 St. Thomas 2 NC
Fri Oct 1 UPEI 5 UNB 3 NC
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