(MONCTON, NB) Ashley Stratton (Mount Pearl, NL) scored a program record-tying goal early in the first period as the UNB REDS beat l'Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues 4-0, on Tuesday, in Atlantic University Sport play.
The game was originally scheduled to be played last Friday, but was postponed.
Stratton tied the UNB women's hockey career points mark with a goal at 7:58 of the first period.
She broke in alone on Moncton goaltender Audrey Berthiaume (St-Bruno, QC) and scored on a second chance effort.
The goal, the 26th of her career, and 33 career assists, give Stratton 59 points.
That ties the mark set by Amanda Wuerth between 2003-04 and 2006-07.
"It's pretty special," she said. "There's so many talented, good people in this program and just to be among some of the best, it means a lot. Just to be able to go out there and put that REDS jersey on, it's pretty special and there's so many good people that have come before me and that are here now, so it's big."
Lily George (Nipissing First Nation) and Jenna MacLean (Wilcox, SK) assisted on the goal.
The REDS would take that 1-0 advantage to the first intermission.
UNB added to their lead early in the second period, working on the power-play.
Tamina Kehler (Chilliwack, BC) fired a wrist shot from the right face-off circle that beat Berthiaume high to the blocker side at 5:43, and struck again at the 17:58 mark, another power-play goal.
"I've been trying to focus on getting pucks to the net, so that's what I was thinking," said Kehler. "We had traffic in front, we had a good screen, that's what happened."
In the third period, Payton Hargreaves (Whitby, ON) shovelled a rebound past Annick Boudreau (Memramcook, NB), who'd come on in relief of Berthiaume. The goal, at 10:20 of the third, was the REDS' third on the power-play.
"We're feeling good," said Kehler, after the game. "We really needed this win, I think, to end off this year, so we got a really good push and this win just kind of solidifies our spot for the season so far."
Kehler finished with a three-point night and was named the Subway Player of the Game, but was all smiles when asked about Stratton's record-tying night.
"Stratt's one of those players that everybody looks to emulate on and off the ice, so for her to get this achievement, it's huge. It's huge for our program too, for everyone watching us, start to finish. Obviously, we've been here since the jump, so it's good. It's a good one for her to hit."
"It's kind of mind-blowing when you think about it, because every day, I just try to go out there and do my best and whatever happens happens," said Stratton.
George assisted on three of UNB's four goals and first-year netminder Cassie McCallum (Rothesay, NB) made 21 saves for her second shut-out of the season.
The REDS finish the 2021 portion of their AUS schedule with a 12-3-0-1 record, good for 25 points and 2ndplace in the conference standings.
With the loss, Moncton is now 6-9-0-1 and sitting 6th.
"It's a pretty special win tonight," said Stratton. "We're going into the break here now and I think this is going to be good momentum going into the second half. The place we're sitting in now is pretty good, but you know that we'll get going from here and everyone's feeling pretty good."
The REDS return to action on Wednesday, January 5th, 2022, when visit Mount Allison.
Moncton is off until January 7th, when they host UPEI.
RECAP AND PHOTOS BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics