X-Men good on home ice

The X-Men hockey team earned three of a possible four points over the weekend, earning a win and an overtime loss to two of the top teams in the AUS right now.

StFX was able to grab a big 5-2 win over the UNB Varsity Reds, while suffering a 3-2 overtime loss to the UPEI Panthers.

On Saturday, the X-Men were able to answer an early power play goal by UNB with two power play goals of their own. Brett Morrison led StFX with two goals and an assist with Bryce Swan and Chris Hulit each adding a goal and an assist. Danny Battochio had a big game for X, making 36 saves in a game that saw UNB out shoot the hometown X-Men 38-16.

On Sunday, UPEI capitalized on a power play opportunity in overtime after StFX couldn’t convert on their own man advantage in the extra frame. Matt Bragg and Brett Liscomb were the goal scorers for the X-Men.

The big story for StFX in this game was goaltender Ryan Aschaber going down early in the first period. Aschaber lasted just ten minutes in the X net before leaving the game with a groin injury. Battochio replaced Aschaber and made 25 saves in the loss.

Early season highlights for the X-Men include Chris Hulit who has scored four goals in four games so far this season. Hulit had to sit out the first three games of the regular season from a suspension that carried over from last season. He is tied for sixth in goals scored in the conference.

Battochio has also been solid for StFX. So far in the AUS, he is second in minutes played, second in number of saves and has a .897 save percentage.

StFX will hit the road for two rematches this weekend. They’ll be in Fredericton on Friday to take on UNB and will head across the bridge to play UPEI on Saturday.