REDS Sweep To Sixth Straight AUS Title

(MONCTON, NB) The UNB REDS are Atlantic University Sport champions for the twentieth time in program history after defeating l'Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues 3-0 on Tuesday night at Moncton's Jean-Louis Lévesque Arena.

Brady Glimour (Grafton, ON), Jason Willms (Kitchener, ON), and Isaac Nurse (Hamilton, ON) scored for the REDS, while Griffen Outhouse (Williams Lake, BC) made 12 saves for the shutout in UNB's sixth consecutive AUS title.

"It definitely never gets old," said Willms. "It was a really hard-fought game. Obviously, we were up one when Gilly got a big one for us at the end of the second. We just used our experience, knowing that those third periods are a massive period for a team trying to win a championship. We knew if we won the third period, we'd put ourselves in a position to win the game and ultimately that championship, and luckily for us, we were able to do that tonight."

It was a tight game to start, with both sides having chances early on.

The REDS finally broke the deadlock at 18:02 of the second period. Austen Keating (Guelph, ON) centered a puck from behind, one that squirted loose to Glimour, who was able to put it home, giving UNB the 1-0 lead heading into the third period.

Willms added to the UNB lead on the powerplay at 7:23 of the third period.

Keating put a shot on net, and the rebound popped loose to Willms who made no mistake, putting the puck into the open net to make it 2-0.

"It was a great play by Gilly to drag the defender up to the point with him and send a good pass to me," said Willms. "I was able to find Keating in front, and luckily, that puck was sitting there, and I was able to put it in."

Nurse added an empty net goal late to give UNB a 3-0 lead as the REDS closed out the game.

Keating was named AUS Playoff MVP, finishing with two assists on the evening.

"We were in tough against a great team," said Willms. "There's a reason why they're the second-best team in the league. I think it was a fast and physical game. It's a little smaller ice surface here, so things happen quickly. I think it was just sticking with it. Having that experience from nationals last year and knowing sometimes that puck is going to bounce the wrong way. You just have to persevere and stick with it, and eventually, your chances will come. You just have to be ready for them and put them in the back of the net."

UNB will now set their sights on Toronto and the U SPORTS Championship.

"We haven't won anything yet," said Willms. "We have to approach every day as if we're zero-zero and we have an opportunity to win each day."

The national championship tournament gets underway March 14 at the Toronto Metropolitan University's Mattamy Athletic Centre.

RECAP AND PHOTOS BY: Evan Richtsfeld