X-Men hockey split weekend games; ranked 9th in CIS

The X-Men hockey team is coming off a weekend that saw them be ranked nationally for the first time this season, a 6-3 win in Halifax over Dalhousie and a tough 3-2 loss at home to Acadia.

The weekly CIS rankings came out on Thursday and StFX was in the number nine spot. This came after the X-Men won their first three games of the new year over Saint Mary’s, Moncton and St. Thomas. StFX was also on a six-game winning streak dating back to before the Christmas break.

The streak was extended to seven games on Friday night when the X-Men traveled to Halifax and beat the Dalhousie Tigers 6-3. It was all about the Brett’s as Brett Morrison scored two goals, Brett Robertson had a goal and two assists and Brett Liscomb added two helpers. Kevin Undershute notched a goal and an assist while Chris Hulit also had two assists. Bryce Swan and Robbie Lawrance had the other goals for X and Danny Battochio made 26 saves for the victory.

Acadia has had StFX’s number all season and a hard fought game on Saturday night at the Keating Centre proved no different as X fell 3-2. Liscomb scored early in the first period on a powerplay to give the X-Men an early lead. Acadia would respond in the second with two goals of their own.

Sean Flinn would tie things up on the powerplay only 26 seconds into the third frame as he banged home the puck in front of the net. Acadia would take the lead again six minutes later and never look back.

Undershute had another two point night with two assists in a chippy affair that saw 52 minutes in penalties handed out.

The X-Men (11-6-2) now sit tied for third spot in the AUS with Moncton (11-5-2). StFX will travel to New Brunswick next weekend to take on the Aigles Bleues for third place. They will stay in Fredericton to take on last place St. Thomas (2-14-3) on Saturday night.