The University of New Brunswick Reds had one more impressive performance to end a perfect season and successfully retain their University Cup title.
Austen Keating’s goal and two assists helped the Reds win 4-0 against the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières Patriotes on Sunday for the Fredericton school’s 10th national championship, ninth under legendary head coach Gardiner MacDougall.
After the gold medals were given out, the University Cup was passed around, and the positive feelings of a championship were shared on the ice with family and friends. The Reds returned to their dressing room for one of their post-game traditions: breaking a figurine painted in the opposition’s team colors.
“It’s a tradition that started well before I got here,” said third-year captain Jason Willms of Kitchener, Ont. “It’s important to celebrate, and we like to have fun when it’s all said and done.
“But our most important tradition with this program is winning, and we accomplished that again.”
MHKY: @UNBMHockey celebrated on the ice. They celebrated in the dressing room. They celebrated after they left the rink.
Another @USPORTS_Hockey championship is worth celebrating.
📸by: Shelby MacIsaac#goredsgo pic.twitter.com/VyYTA1MFpi— UNB Reds (@UNBAthletics) March 18, 2024
When the Reds arrived in Toronto on Monday, they brought a small treasure chest with them. Inside were seven figurines. When they pull the proper one after a win, the player of the game takes two cautious swings with his stick, coming close to the figurine, and his teammates yell, “Fake.”
With the third swat, the figurine is smashed, and the team goes wild.
The Reds cruised through 2023-24 with a combined exhibition, regular and post-season record of 43-0, and have gone 47-0 dating back to last year’s playoff run and national championship.
In the eight-team University Cup tournament at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, the Reds easily won the school’s 10th title with shutout victories against Brock, the host Toronto Metropolitan University and the Patriotes, with a total score of 15-0.
It was the first time a team did not concede a goal in tournament history.
Samuel Richard was in goal for the three shutouts. Combined with his backup, Griffen Outhouse, the UNB goalies ended the season with four consecutive shutouts. They did not let in a goal in the final 298 minutes and two seconds. The Reds outshot their opponents 33-23.
Not only has he won consecutive Canadian championships, but MacDougall was tempted 75 minutes south in May 2022 to take over the Saint John Sea Dogs on an interim basis and guided the junior team to a Memorial Cup title.
“He recruits people first instead of players,” said UNB defenceman Kale McCallum of Quispamsis, N.B. “There’s not a single guy on this team who isn’t a great guy. They are character people, and they do everything they have to to get the job done.
“This is the best group of guys I’ve ever played with. Everybody is so focused on winning, and it’s an honor to be a part of this team.”
McCallum was named to the tournament all-star team with Keating, UNB forward Brady Gilmour, Patriotes forward Simon Lafrance, McGill defenceman Scott Walford and Richard.
Richard’s closest call was a chance from Patroites centre Conor Frenette in front with 6:37 left in the second period. But his shot hit Richard in the stomach.
The fast and skilled Reds got a strong effort from all four lines and three defense pairings in the final game.
However, Keating, along with Gilmour and Cody Morgan, were the ones to provide the offense. Gilmour and Morgan scored goals in the first period, giving the team a 2-0 lead.
Keating, a 25-year-old from Guelph, Ont. and a former standout for the Ottawa 67’s, grabbed a rebound off the end boards early in the final period, giving the team a three-goal lead. Keating had just finished an exceptional season as the Atlantic MVP.
Isaac Nurse, the brother of Sarah Nurse, scored a goal into an empty net before the celebration in front of the pro-UNB crowd started.
McGILL FINISHES THIRD
Brandon Frattaroli scored two goals in the last six minutes to lead McGill to a 3-2 comeback victory against Toronto Metropolitan University in the third-place game.
Jackson Doherty put the host team ahead 2-1 at the 7:52 mark of the final period, but Frattaroli, a third-year centre, tied the game and then scored the winning goal with 1:21 remaining.
This report by The Canadian Press was originally published on March 17, 2024.
