Photoblog: University Cup - Day 1

FREDERICTON – Besides almost getting killed by a t-shirt, being stuck in traffic for 40 minutes, and seeing Hugo Laporte get an assist, the opening day of the 2012 University Cup in Fredericton was quite awesome.

Here’s a recap of Thursday’s events in Freddy Beach.

Parking was basically a nightmare for the afternoon game. Parking in the afternoon is a nightmare at UNB without a national hockey tournament, so this was basically parkingmageddon. Some people parked at DOT/Service New Brunswick down the street and walked.

Pretty solid crowd for this one considering it was a Thursday afternoon with unreal weather. It was announced a sellout but there plenty of empty seats.

The first period was an entertaining one. Charles Bergeron took a butt-ending penalty and McGill would score twice during a 5-on-3 with former Sea Dog Alexandre Picard-Hooper getting one of them. Our old pal Hugo Laporte had at least one assist in the fame. McGill went on to beat Moncton 6-3. The Redmen earn a trip to Saturday’s 11:30am game. Ugh.

Biggest story of the game was Dave nearly killing me with the t-shirt cannon. I feel as though over time Dave has become a bit bored with the cannon, so he regularly just fires into the rafters to see where it lands. One hit a beam and nearly nailed me. Man.

Thinking we could get back to home base at 4:30pm was probably the biggest mistake of our lives. Waited in traffic for 40 minutes. Apparently CTV’s Andy Campbell got stuck in it and had to run up the hill to make his ‘Live At 5’ appearance. Bad times all around.

Travis Fullerton is on the cover of this year’s program.

Game 2 featured some celebrities. I saw the Sea Dogs’ Mike Kelly outside before the game. Sportsnet RJ Broadhead, Sam Cosentino, and the great Rob Faulds were all there as well.

It was hot inside – but not Moncton Coliseum hot.

In Section 7, these were placed on seats. Yikes.

The always awesome Red Brigade was out in full force. Their chants included “up by four” and “start the bus.”

Opening ceremonies.

Nick MacNeil nation.

That's game. UNB beat UQTR 6-1. Travis Fullerton came up huge during a five-on-three penalty kill. The PK got a standing ovation. What a moment.

Two more games today as Saskatchewan takes on UdeM at 2pm and UQTR faces Western at 7pm. UNB doesn’t play again until Saturday afternoon, a game that will air nationally on Sportsnet.  Check out UNB Hockey Fans for much more coverage.