UNB Reds punch ticket to U Sports men's hockey final with win over Patriotes

CHARLOTTETOWN — The University of New Brunswick Reds will be playing the Alberta Golden Bears for a national title after defeating the defending champion University of Quebec in Trois-Rivières Patriotes 6-3 on Saturday at the U Sports men's hockey championship tournament in Charlottetown.

Isaac Nurse led the Reds with two goals, while Jason Williams, Benjamin Corbeil, Cole Mackay and Emmett Sproule netted singles.

Simon Lafrance, Justin Bergeron and Felix Lafrance scored for the Patriotes, who trailed 2-0 after the first period and 4-1 heading into the third.

The Reds outshot the Patriotes 34-19.

The Reds advanced to the semifinal with a 2-1 win over the Concordia Stingers on Thursday, while the Patriotes defeated Saint Mary's Huskies 4-1.

The fifth-ranked Golden Bears defeated the host UPEI Panthers 4-1 in the second semifinal of the day at Eastlink Centre.

Tyler Preziuso, Eric Florchuk, Matt Fonteyne and Nolan Volcan scored for the Golden Bears, who outshot the Panthers 24-23.

Conor Maceachern scored for the Panthers, who trailed 1-0 after the first period and 3-0 heading into the third.

Alberta opened the tournament with a 7-0 win over the Windsor Lancers, while UPEI upset the top-seeded Calgary Dinos 4-2.

The Panthers and Patriotes will play in Sunday's bronze-medal final of the 60th University Cup national championship.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 18, 2023.