TORONTO, ON – Perched in media row, breaking down video in the final hour before puck drop of the U SPORTS Men’s Hockey Championship, UNB Reds head coach Gardiner MacDougall was dialed in—his whole group was.
The veteran coach has instilled that mentality within his program since taking over in 2000. Every season, the Bedeque, PEI native, has brought that intensity and meticulous attention. A joyous and calming presence most of the time, there are few more intense and laser-focused than MacDougall on gameday.
His focus on the small details and elements of the game is evident in the players he brings in and the level the team hits when they skate out onto the U CUP ice in the first round, as they did on Thursday in Toronto.
On the national stage, they take it game-by-game. While many predict them to win every time they hit the ice, this is no expectation on themselves outside of a focused process that needs constant refining to maintain, all with the aim of adding another notch to the banners hanging at the Aitken University Centre.
While the Reds have had their share of disappointments, including being eliminated in the 2022 U CUP quarterfinals by the team hosting this year’s tournament, TMU, their focus is unmatched, often resulting in confident and well-planned victories, as they did with a 4-0 win over the OUA West regular season-leading Brock Badgers.
“We don’t bring guys in to be underdogs, so it goes with the tradition of winning and the legacy of this special group,” MacDougall said post-game. “[At nationals] it’s a different environment. It’s a new rink, a new opponent, and I thought we had a good start… it was actually good for our team to play a third period where every shift counted.”
Despite a troubling netminder in Brock’s Connor Ungar, who made 41 saves in the matchup, the Reds stuck to their game plan and didn’t look fazed at any points. They were only focused on getting the most out of their opening-round matchup and not concerned about the road ahead.
The Reds showcased their composure on the puck and their ability to slow the game down to a point where Brock could not work their way into the matchup or force a back-and-forth battle despite a lone chance from Jacob Roach.
“Getting past that first game is such a key, especially with a new rink, new plan, different referees, all that type of thing,” MacDougall said. “It’s a good confidence boost to get through like we did today.”
When Brock pushed, UNB didn’t falter, with 2023 U SPORTS tournament MVP goaltender Samuel Richard staying alert, making consistent stops despite not seeing much of the puck.
It’s no surprise that UNB made such an effort. They put a similar foot forward as the No. 2 seed against the Concordia Stingers at the 2023 tournament and didn’t share as much as a goal celebration until the final buzzer went against the Alberta Golden Bears, clinching their ninth U CUP title.
With most of the roster back from last season’s victory, the Reds are all business when it comes to the University Cup tournament. Outside of a handful of rookies, the Reds know what it takes to land on the national podium.
For MacDougall and many successful coaches in U SPORTS’ single-elimination national championships, it’s never about playing the best game or having the best performance at a tournament- the lone focus is surviving and advancing.
With the win, the Reds advance to play either the Calgary Dinos or TMU Bold in the next round on Saturday. Instead of having to win three games in as many days, they get the chance to hit the ice for a Friday practice while also resting.
“Now we get to prepare for another top-notch opponent, probably even a better opponent and the second round,” MacDougall added. “We’ll get one day of practice and then get ready to go at the same time again against another tough opponent.”
Playing in Toronto critical for Ontario-born Reds
While the Reds’ mentality and approach to the game are what make them a contending team each year, playing in Toronto is another critical element to their drive this season, with several players hailing from the GTA and surrounding areas in Ontario.
At the same time, finding success under the historic roof of Maple Leaf Gardens just adds a certain magic to this year’s tournament.
“We’ve just been fully focused from the start, making it our focus every day,” assistant captain Kade Landry said, having played his junior hockey in the OHL. “Maple Leaf Gardens is the Mecca of hockey, and this has been circled on our calendar, but we’re taking it day by day and enjoying the process.”
Despite playing away from their home rink and not having much experience with the Mattamy Athletic Centre, UNB has a slight advantage as well, having played preseason games on the rink in 2022.
“The yellow part of the boards is a bit dead in this rink, so being able to play here a couple of years ago, we knew that going into this game,” Landry added. “The ice can also get pretty crappy, so you have to simplify your game and work harder than the other team.”
Whether hard work or a focus on details, the UNB Reds always come to the U CUP with nothing but eyes for their next game, and with the quarterfinal now taken care of, they look towards a semifinal and a potential golden matchup on Sunday night.