FREDERICTON, N.B. - The Providence College men's hockey team shutout the University of New Brunswick, 1-0, on Sunday, January 2 in an exhibition game played at the UNB-Aitken Centre in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. Junior goalie Justin Gates (Cranston, R.I.) stopped all 25 shots to lead the way for PC. The game was the second of a two-game series that made up the Pete Kelly Challenge Cup. New Brunswick won the Cup based on goal differential as it posted a 3-1 win last night.
New Brunswick nearly took the lead at 10:50 of the first period when Hunter Trembley skated into the PC zone and fired a shot from the slot that was turned aside with the right pad by Gates. The Friars responded moments later when senior Ben Farrer (Calgary, Alberta) rifled a shot from the slot that went off the glove of UNB goalie Derek Yeomans. The Friars jumped on the rebound and took several shots at the puck, but Yeomans was able to keep the puck out of the net at 13:23. The Friars then had a power-play just over one minute later and again pounced on a loose puck in front but Yeomans made several stops. PC finished the first 20 minutes with an 8-6 advantage in shots.
It appeared that the Friars had taken a 1-0 lead at 4:49 of the second period, but the goal was negated because of a goaltender interference penalty. On the ensuing UNB power play, it was the Friars who nearly scored when senior Matt Germain (Rockland, Mass.) had a partial breakaway, but his shot missed high.
Providence broke through at 14:54 and took a 1-0 lead on a goal by senior Jordan Kremyr (Cloverdale, B.C.). The Friars cleared the puck to the UNB zone and Kremyr raced to the puck and caught up to a UNB defenseman behind the net. Kremyr gained possession of the puck before playing it back to freshman Derek Army (North Kingstown, R.I.) who fired a shot that was saved. Germain followed up with another shot that was stopped, but Kremyr was right in front of the crease as he lifted the puck into the net.
The Varsity Reds, who were averaging 38 shots per game, were held to 25 as they suffered their first home defeat.
The Friars (7-6-5, 3-4-4 Hockey East) are back in action on Friday, January 6 at 7:30 p.m. when they face No. 4/5 Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass. The game will be televised live on NESN.
All-Tournament Team
Eric Baier - PC
Bretton Stamler - UNB
Nick MacNeil - UNB
Kyle MacKinnon - PC
Lachlan MacIntosh - UNB
Justin Gates - PC