UNB in the Pink for the 20th Jeffrey Memorial

Reds vs. Tommies | Pink in the rink fundraiser for breast cancer research

University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds captain Kyle Bailey will be wearing pink tonight, but after Saturday's 3-1 road loss to the Saint Mary's Huskies he was all red.

The condensed version of Bailey's post-game beef: He thought his own play was "atrocious" and the V-Reds "had an abysmal effort, in my opinion."

"I was more emotional after the game than I am now," Bailey said. "I just was disappointed with our team's effort, compounded with the fact I thought I had played so poorly. I felt I had let the team down. I take a lot of pride in my effort and my consistency and I was a non-factor.

"Obviously they had a ton on the line and, in the standings, we didn't have as much on the line," Bailey said. "But we've had a big rivalry with Saint Mary's for the four years that I've been here, so it's disappointing any time you shake hands with a team that just beat you. It was frustrating but I'm over it."

"Kyle wears his emotions on his sleeve," UNB bench boss Gardiner MacDougall said. "He's been a terrific leader for us. He brings it every night, he has great passion and he's improved every year he's been here.

"He can help you in so many ways," MacDougall said. "If the performance level isn't high, which it usually is, the leadership level is high. If the leadership level isn't high, the sacrifice level is high.

"He's a great captain and a great teammate."

Tonight, Bailey turns his attention to the St. Thomas Tommies and the 20th annual Mark Jeffrey Memorial Game, which will also be the first 'Pink in The Rink' event in support of breast cancer research.

Game time is 7 p.m. at the Aitken University Centre. A video tribute including footage from the first Mark Jeffrey Memorial Game played Nov. 22, 1991 will be played on the big screens at the west end of the building prior to the puck drop.

The V-Reds will wear pink jerseys, which will be taken off their backs after the game and given directly to fans whose tickets are drawn.

Tickets for the game sell across the board for $5, but there's an incentive to pay $10. The entire price of the $5 ticket goes to the Mark Jeffrey Memorial Scholarship Fund. The proceeds from the $10 option are split equally between the Jeffrey fund and the Canadian Cancer Society - with a chance to win one of those game-worn pink jerseys.

There will be a non-mandatory $2 charge for parking tonight, with all proceeds to the cause.

"I think it's awesome," Bailey said. "In years past, the basketball and volleyball teams have had their fundraisers for cancer, so it's great that we're jumping on board. Anything we can do to help is fantastic."

The Jeffrey Memorial Game remains a highlight on the V-Reds' calendar.

"Gardiner does an excellent job of making sure we know the significance of the Mark Jeffrey game," Bailey said. "I've had the opportunity to meet Mark's dad (Jim) and a few of his nephews and his brother. All the stories seem to be about what an amazing guy Mark was. After meeting his family, it's not hard to believe. They're all great people. It's an exciting game and obviously any time you're playing STU, it's exciting to begin with."

The Tommies, with a 3-18-4 record, are playing for pride. The V-Reds are 20-5 and the top-ranked team in the country.

STU has lost 26 straight times to UNB, including 7-1 twice at the LBR and 4-0 at the AUC this season.

"It's the kind of game where you can throw the standings out the window," Bailey said. "They always play us tough. Even in the games where we seem to pull away a little bit, there are always times in the game where you think things could go either way."

For instance, 12 days ago at the LBR, the Tommies trailed 2-1 midway through the 17th annual Lou Chabot Memorial Game before the Reds reeled off five unanswered goals.

"We've obviously got to bring our A game," Tommies head coach Mike Eagles said. "We've got to go up there with a lot of energy and not be back on our heels. The last game, we did pretty well the first half. Obviously the (penalty) kills hurt us, there's no question about it."

STU faced five power plays in the first period.

"I certainly wasn't happy with all the calls," Eagles said, "but that's hockey. You've got to adjust your game to the way it's being called and stay out of the box."

Eagles expects his players to be ready.

"Just as the Lou Chabot game is important to us, in remembering one of our alumni, the Mark Jeffrey game is important to the UNB program," Eagles said. "Mark was a very good friend of mine, so it has a special place in my heart as well."

In Tuesday's Gleaner, STU interim president Dennis Cochrane said Eagles' role will be restructured next season. Cochrane plans to split the jobs of athletic director and hockey coach, dual roles Eagles has performed since June 2008.

Eagles chose not to speculate about his future.

"I'd rather just stick to the hockey game," he said.

"In my four years here, I haven't even shaken Mike Eagles' hand," Bailey said, "but I've met his son (Matt) a couple of times and his son seems like a real first-class guy. From what I understand, Mike is a real good guy. With his (NHL playing) resumé, you can't help but have respect for him.

"Whatever happens with that situation, I hope it works out for the best," Bailey said. "They've obviously struggled for a couple of years now and it would be nice to see them return to what they once were."

Matt Eagles and Bryan Main (concussions) and Mathieu Melanson (undisclosed) remain out of the STU lineup while defenceman Andrew Andricopoulos is questionable.

After tonight's game, the Tommies close out their season with a pair of home games. They take on Saint Mary's on Friday and St. Francis Xavier on Saturday, both 7 p.m. starts at the LBR.

The V-Reds wrap up the regular season on the road, facing Acadia in Wolfville on Friday and Dalhousie in Halifax on Saturday.

Saint Mary's has moved from sixth to fifth in the latest national rankings, switching spots with Saskatchewan. UNB is followed by McGill in second, Alberta third and Western Ontario fourth. St. FX is seventh, with newcomers Carleton, Calgary and Acadia rounding out the top 10.