Reds sweep X-Men to claim AUS championship
The University of New Brunswick Reds are back-to-back Atlantic University Sport champions after defeating the St. Francis Xavier X-Men.
The Reds took both games of the best-of-three series, including Thursday’s 7-1 win in which forward Tyler Boland, who suited up for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Rimouski Oceanic from 2013 to 2017, led the way with a hat-trick, counting the eventual game winner that was notched with just over two minutes remaining in the opening frame.
Cameron Brace (Belleville Bulls), Olivier Leblanc (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles), Oliver Cooper (Charlottetown Islanders), and Kris Bennett (Saginaw Spirit) also scored for the Reds, while forward Mark Tremaine (Saint John Sea Dogs) picked up the lone tally for the X-Men. Following the game, Bennett was recognized as the AUS playoff MVP after he recorded five goals and four assists for nine points in five games.
The win marked the Reds’ third time claiming the AUS championship in the past five years, and sixth in the last nine seasons. It was also the fifth year running in which the Reds and X-Men competed in the final round. St. Francis Xavier won it all in back-to-back years in 2016 and 2017.
Both squads now move on to represent AUS at the 2019 University Cup. This year’s tournament will be hosted by the University of Lethbridge and begins March 15.
University of New Brunswick Reds roster
Goaltenders
Alex Dubeau, Moncton Wildcats
Luke Lee-Knight, Tri-City Americans
Rylan Parenteau, Tri-City Americans
Defencemen
Noah Carroll, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Joe Gatenby, Kamloops Blazers
Randy Gazzola, Val d’Or Foreurs
Olivier Leblanc, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
Marcus McIvor, North Bay Battalion
Matt Murphy, Saint John Sea Dogs
Tristan Pomerleau, Victoriaville Tigres
Forwards
Stephen Anderson, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
Kris Bennett, Saginaw Spirit
Tyler Boland, Rimouski Oceanic
Matthew Boucher, Quebec Remparts
Matt Boudens, Drummondville Voltigeurs
Cameron Brace, Belleville Bulls
Christopher Clapperton, Rimouski Oceanic
Oliver Cooper, Charlottetown Islanders
Samuel Dove-McFalls, Rimouski Oceanic
Alexandre Goulet, Victoriaville Tigres
James McEwan, Guelph Storm
Mark Rassell, Medicine Hat Tigers
Mark Simpson, Acadie-Bathurst Titan
Patrick Watling, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
St. Francis Xavier X-Men roster
Goaltenders
Blade Mann-Dixon, Halifax Mooseheads
Chase Marchand, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
Defencemen
Santino Centorame, Owen Sound Attack
Adam Holwell, Acadie-Bathurst Titan
Aaron Hoyles, Sherbrooke Phoenix
Cole MacDonald, Everett Silvertips
Daniel Robertson, Windsor Spitfires
William Thompson, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
Bailey Webster, Saint John Sea Dogs
Mitchell Wheaton, Brandon Wheat Kings
Forwards
William Bower, Charlottetown Islanders
Bryson Cianfrone, Owen Sound Attack
Holden Cook, Owen Sound Attack
Lane Cormier, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
Marcus Cuomo, Quebec Remparts
Anthony Difruscia, Niagara IceDogs
Adam Laishram, Windsor Spitfires
Matt Needham, Kamloops Blazers
Nathan Pancel, Peterborough Petes
Adam Stevens, Gatineau Olympiques
Sam Studnicka, Sarnia Sting
Mark Tremaine, Saint John Sea Dogs
