Coach Kelly Coach Kelly

Richard Clark Richard Clark

David Inch David Inch

Darrell Lebanc Darrell Lebanc

Dave Peterson Dave Peterson

For the first time, UNB and STU were now part of a league that took in all eight Maritime universities, so that they woudl now play league games against St. F.X., St. Mary's, Dalhousie and Nova Scotia Tech for the first time. Since St. Mary's had been without a rink for a few years, this would mark the first time that the Huskies would every play in Fredericton.

Pete Kelly had most of his Championship team back and added strong newcomers in Claude McKinnon, Darrell Leblanc, Boyd Legallis, Pete Violette, Dave Peterson, Jeff Leach and Al Furlong. Only Peterson, Dave Inch and Richard Clark were from Fredericton, as recruiting was becoming an art form.

The teams played a 12 game schedule with only the top two teams meeting in the playoffs. As one might expext, UNB (9-0-2) and St. F.X. (9-2-1) battled for top spot, whlile St. Thomas were (6-3-2) were only slightly behind.

UNB got off to a great start, going 6-0-2 in their first eight games, but when they met St. Thomas in Chatham on February 23rd there was still a chance the Tommies could overtake them for a playoff spot. It was a defensive struggle, but the Red Devils outshot STU 30-17 in a 3-0 shutout win for Dave Inch. Richard Clark got the winner, while Frank Barteaux and Joel Violette also scored. Inch was selected the First All-Star goalie, joining team-mates Don Wells and Frank Barteaux on the dream team. Richard Clark was a second team selectio, along with Ed Hospodar of St. Thomas.

The final that year was a best of three with the first game held in Fredericton. UNB continued its fine defensive play to earn a 5-0 shutout for Dave Inch and grab a 1-0 lead. Boyd Legallis, who was just back from the injured list, had the winning goal and an assist, while Dave Peterson scored for the third straight game.

Back in Antigonish, UNB suffered their first losses of the season, falling 7-4 and 5-4 to St. F.X. The Devils were badly outplayed in these two games, with the shots being 46-29 and 50-26. St. F.X. led 4-0 at one point, but goals by Darrell Leblanc (2), Richard Clark and David-Peterson/P010] made it close. Leblanchad two goals in each game and Richard Clark with one in each tilt. Clark led playoff scorers with 2-6-8 in three games, while Leblanc led in goals with 4-2-6. X went to the Nationals finishing 3-1 but losing to McMaster.