(FREDERICTON, NB) A 579-day layoff might've done a little to slow the UNB Reds, but not much.
Playing their first regular season game since February of 2020, the REDS scored a 3-0 win over the visiting l'Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus.
"In the last year and a half, we haven't been able to play a game when there's been fans in the stands, so tonight, to see the place bumpin' and a lot of people happy to be here was really exciting for the whole team," said REDS forward Isaac Nurse (Hamilton, ON), who was among a handful of players making their Atlantic University Sport debuts.
The 2020-21 AUS season was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Nurse scored twice to lead the REDS, including the first goal of the new U SPORTS hockey season.
It came at the 7:28 mark of the first period, on a nifty tick-tack-toe play from line-mates Austen Keating (Guelph, ON) and Brady Gilmour (Grafton, ON).
Less than a minute later, the Aigles Bleus managed their first shot on goal, on a two-on-one break, that was stopped by REDS goalie Rylan Parenteau (Saskatoon, SK).
With about three minutes to play in the first, Moncton's Vincent Millette (Blainville, QC) broke in alone on the UNB net, but his shot was turned aside by Parenteau.
The teams settled into a bit of a defensive struggle in the second period.
Just past the 9:00 mark, the REDS sprung Nurse on a breakaway, but Moncton netminder Emile Samson (Levis, QC) turned aside his backhand attempt, holding the UNB lead to just a goal.
But the REDS kept pressing, and James Phelan (Laval, QC) extended the UNB lead at 12:45 of the period, snapping a shot past Samson from the slot to put the home team up 2-0.
About five minutes into the third period, the REDS successfully killed off a minute long two-man advantage for Moncton.
Nurse scored his second of the game, into an empty net, with 1:20 to play.
"It feels great to get the first one early in the season, to get the blood going," said Nurse. "For the team, it was just good to start it. Now that we've got one, it'll be easy for the rest of us to get shots and get another win."
Disappointed with the result, Aigles Bleus defenceman Denis Toner (Saint André, NB) was pleased with his team's effort.
"We're a little bit short on guys, so that kind of caught up to us, but I think our intensity was high," he said. "We took a few penalties to start the game, and that kind of put us on our heels, but once we got our momentum going and our legs under us, I thought we had some speed and we created a lot of chances."
The REDS outshot Moncton 35-31 and have yet to allow a goal, in regular season or exhibition play in 2021.
"From a goalie's standpoint and a defensive standpoint, that's how you want to draw it up," said Parenteau, named the Subway Player of the Game. "It's been a long time coming, a whole year of just practicing and waiting for this moment, so we're going to enjoy this, enjoy this win until midnight, that's for sure."
"I thought he was outstanding. It was terrific to see and he's off to a terrific start," said REDS head coach Gardiner MacDougall, of Parenteau's game. "He works on every part of his performance. He made key saves when it counted, especially on the penalty kill."
1743 fully vaccinated and masked fans attended the game. Most appeared to enjoy it.
"I'm really ecstatic to be back, playing hockey, and to be coaching hockey, and for our faithful fans to be coming to watch AUS hockey, U SPORTS hockey, because it's the first game nationally," said MacDougall. "I think the guys were excited about the opportunity, both teams."
Up next for the REDS, a Friday evening visit to Charlottetown to take on the UPEI Panthers. That game starts at 7:00pm.
Moncton will play host to those same Panthers on Saturday.
RECAP: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS: James West/for UNB Athletics