REDS take Game 1 of AUS semifinal series

FREDERICTON — The UNB Reds defeated the Acadia Axemen 5-2 on Thursday in Game 1 of their AUS semifinal series.

Cody Morgan led the way for UNB with a hat trick, including a power-play goal and the game-winner. Sean McGurn and Oliver Peer each added a goal and an assist, while Kale McCallum finished with a plus-three rating. Goaltender Samuel Richard made 15 saves in the win.

Cam MacDonald had a goal and an assist for Acadia, scoring on the power play. Marc Boudreau netted the other Axemen goal, while Brady Burns recorded two assists. Thomas Couture made 56 saves in a strong performance despite the loss.

UNB opened the scoring just 1:06 into the game on McGurn's goal, but MacDonald responded for Acadia at 2:11 on the power play. Morgan then struck twice for the Reds, scoring at 5:47 and again at 10:22 with the man advantage to give UNB a 3-1 lead after the first period.

Boudreau cut the deficit to one at 7:06 of the second, but Morgan completed his hat trick at 13:02 to restore UNB's two-goal advantage. The Axemen had chances on the power play in the third but couldn't break through, and Peer sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 17:55.

Game 2 is set for Friday night in Fredericton, with puck drop at 7 p.m.