Patriotes erupt early, down UNB to reach national final
Team Stats
| Game Statistics | UQTR | UNB |
|---|---|---|
| PowerPlays | 3 for 5 | 0 for 2 |
| Shorthanded Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties (min) | 3 (6) | 7 (22) |
| Shots on Goal | 23 | 27 |
| Face Offs Won | 39 | 28 |
Conor Frenette recorded a hat trick and added three assists as the UQTR Patriotes stormed past UNB 7-4 in the opening quarterfinal of the 2026 U SPORTS Men’s Hockey Championship on Saturday at the Scotiabank Centre.
UQTR wasted no time asserting control, opening the scoring just 12 seconds into the game and never looking back. The Patriotes struck four times in a dominant first period, including a pair of power-play goals, to seize a commanding 4-0 lead after 20 minutes. Frenette was at the centre of it all, factoring in multiple early tallies as UQTR capitalized on its chances.
UNB pushed back in the second period, getting goals from Thomas Larouche and Cody Morgan to cut into the deficit. However, UQTR continued to answer, with Frenette scoring twice more in the middle frame to restore a comfortable cushion and extend the lead to 6-2.
The Patriotes added another power-play marker early in the third to make it 7-2 before UNB mounted a late push. Braeden MacPhee scored twice in the final period, but UNB was unable to close the gap as UQTR tightened defensively down the stretch.
Frenette finished with six points in a dominant offensive performance, while Félix Lafrance and Charles Beaudoin each contributed multi-point efforts for the Patriotes. Cody Morgan earned player of the game honours for UNB with a goal and a steady presence up front.
UNB will close their season out on Sunday at 9 a.m. Atlantic (8 a.m. Eastern) in the bronze medal game against the Windsor Lancers. UQTR will play for the David Johnston University Cup on Sunday at 1 p.m. Atlantic (noon Eastern), in a game that will be telecast live on CBC and TVA Sports 2.
NIKE TEAM PLAYERS OF THE GAME
UNB: Cody Morgan
UQTR: Conor Frenette