The UNB Reds and Alberta Golden Bears both earned spots in Sunday's national final with semifinal victories on Saturday at Charlottetown's Eastlink Centre. The two hockey powers have met a number of times in the University Cup final, most recently in 2019 when the Reds edged the Golden Bears 4-2 in Lethbridge.
UNB advanced with a 6-3 victory over Julien Tessier and the UQTR Patriotes - the defending national champions. It was a strong, commanding performance by UNB, who led by multiple goals for much of the game. The Reds were leading 5-1 at one point in the third period and held UQTR to just 10 shots in the first 40 minutes.
The Golden Bears defeated the host UPEI Panthers 4-1 in Saturday night's spicy semi. Alberta goaltender Ethan Kruger left the game injured after being run over and then punched by UPEI's Zachary Beauregard. The Golden Bears immediately left the ice after the game, refusing the shake hands with the Panthers.
Alberta Golden Bears head coach Ian Herbers says his team didn’t shake hands because they were worried UPEI posed a risk.
— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) March 19, 2023
“Didn’t feel safe for our players, we thought something else would happen… I didn’t want that opportunity to happen.”#USPORTS pic.twitter.com/sS0J8F7QD3
The Panthers, who feature Ian Smallwood on defense, pulled off a stunning 4-2 win over the No. 1 ranked Calgary Dinos on Friday. UPEI will now play UQTR for bronze on Sunday afternoon.
The Reds are, of course, coached by Gardiner MacDougall, who led the Saint John Sea Dogs to a Memorial Cup championship last June. The Reds also feature former Sea Dogs Kale McCallum and Nick Blagden - both of whom have been out of the lineup in Charlottetown. McCallum was injured in the playoffs.
UNB advanced to the semifinals with a 2-1 quarterfinal victory over the Concordia Stingers on Thursday. Alberta, meanwhile, dominated Robbie Burt and the Windsor Lancers in the quarterfinals, earning a 7-0 win.
The Reds are, of course, coached by Gardiner MacDougall, who led the Saint John Sea Dogs to a Memorial Cup championship last June. The Reds also feature former Sea Dogs Kale McCallum and Nick Blagden - both of whom have been out of the lineup in Charlottetown. McCallum was injured in the playoffs.
UNB advanced to the semifinals with a 2-1 quarterfinal victory over the Concordia Stingers on Thursday. Alberta, meanwhile, dominated Robbie Burt and the Windsor Lancers in the quarterfinals, earning a 7-0 win.
Sunday's final is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Eastlink Centre. The game can be streamed on CBC Sports.
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