Championships Men’s Hockey

WOLFVILLE, N.S. (U SPORTS) – Domenico Commisso’s power-play goal at 1:40 into the second period proved to be the difference as the Rams defeated the UNB REDS 2-1 in a nail-biter quarterfinal matchup at the 2022 U SPORTS Cavendish Farms University Cup on April 1 at the Andrew H. McCain Arena.

The Rams stunned the crowd with a goal 17 seconds into the game coming off a strange bounce that handcuffed UNB goaltender Rylan Parenteau. The Rams dumped the puck in behind the UNB net and it came out front to Kevin Gursoy who tossed it into the open net for the 1-0 lead.

UNB remained off the score sheet for the first two frames, despite numerous scoring opportunities.

Samuel Dove-Mcfalls’ goal 7:35 into the third frame gave the REDS hope, but they were unable to complete the comeback.

Despite winning the game, the Rams were outshot by the REDS 37-18. Rams goaltender Garret Forrest was outstanding for his team and helped them seal their upset victory over the REDS.

Forrest turned aside 36 shots in the contest and was named the Nike Player of the Game for the Rams, while Parenteau made 16 saves in the losing effort for UNB.

“I did best to stay composed. I know that the boys feed off that, so as long as I am calm in there, making the saves, covering all the rebounds, they can feed off that. We battled tooth and nail and that’s a hell of a hockey team,” said Forrest after the game.

This is a major upset in the bracket for the University Cup, as the UNB REDS have won three of the past four University Cup finals.

With the win, the Rams advance to play the winner of the Canada West semifinalist UBC Thunderbirds and the reigning OUA Champions UQTR Patriotes in the semifinals, while UNB is eliminated from the University Cup. The REDS end their season with an overall record of 24-4-0 in regular season, conference playoff and U SPORTS championship action.

Boxscore

Nike Top Performers

  • Rams: Garrett Forrest
  • UNB REDS: James MacEwen