UNB REDS capture back-to-back women's hockey banners with 3-2 double OT win over STFX

(FREDERICTON, N.B.) The UNB REDS are AUS women's hockey champions after defeating the STFX X-Women 3-2 in a thrilling double-overtime game in front of a packed Aitken Centre crowd. 

Frederike Cyr (Candiac, Que.) scored the game winner for UNB to give the REDS their second consecutive AUS title in the third and deciding game of the Subway AUS Championship Series. Cyr was named Subway Player of the Game. 

"Honestly it was a hard-fought battle between both teams," said Cyr. "I got to give it to X. At the end of the day, it came down to who wanted it more and we pulled through with it." 

The X-Women opened the scoring, at the 3:40 mark of the first period, on the power-play, when Kamdyn Switzer (Stittsville, Ont.) beat REDS goalie Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, B.C.). 

Just 67 seconds later though the REDS were able to tie the game when Lauren Carter (Milton, Ont.) fired a shot that caromed off a leg and past X goalie Jamie Johnson (Victoria, B.C.). 

"I'm just so proud of our girls and the effort they had today, just didn't let off the gas at all," said UNB head coach Sarah Hilworth. "That first goal went in, and it was an immediate response from our group."  

The teams went to the first intermission even at 1-1. 

The REDS were able to break the deadlock as 6:39 of the second period, on the power-play, when Ashley Stratton (Mount Pearl, N.L.) snuck one past Johnson off a wraparound to give UNB their first lead of the game. 

STFX responded later in the period as Chloe Vukosa (Mississauga, Ont.) tipped home a shot from the point by Lauren Dabrowski (Tiny, Ont.) to tie the game. 

The teams stayed locked 2-2 heading into the third period. 

Both teams had chances to take the lead in the third but neither goalie gave an inch, and overtime was needed to decide a winner. 

Nothing was solved in the first overtime frame. 

The biggest chance came for UNB when Lillian George (Nipissing First Nation) came into the X zone on a 1 on 1 and got a shot on net that Johnson bobbled but the REDS were unable to put home the loose puck.  

Then, at 3:07 of the second overtime, while on the penalty-kill, George was able to get out on a 2-on-1 break and find a wide-open Cyr in the slot. She fired the winner past Johnson, sending the REDS and the large Aitken Centre crowd into a celebration. 

"I didn't realize Lily was going on the one on one there and I decided to put the jets on," said Cyr. "It was a good pass from her to see me and with the teams being so tired I just decided to put the shot on net, and it went in. With this being my last year with the REDS it was an unreal feeling to end it this way." 

Woodland was named Most Valuable Player of the AUS playoffs. She stopped 33 of 35 shots in the victory for the REDS. 

"It's all a team effort," said Woodland. "As long as the job ia getting done it doesn't really matter who's getting recognition. I'm really proud to be a part of this group." 

Wednesday's victory came in front of a record-breaking crowd of 1,658 fans at the Aitken Centre. That's the largest crowd in REDS' women's hockey history. 

Both the REDS and X-Women now prepare for the U SPORTS women's hockey championship, March 16 to 19, at l'Université de Montreal. 

Source: Evan Richtsfeld for UNB Athletics