X-Men knock off #2 ranked UNB

The X-Men hockey team knocked off the CIS ranked #2 UNB Varsity Reds Saturday night in Fredericton by a 3-2 score, and defeated UPEI Sunday night 5-2 to leap ahead two spots in the AUS standings to fourth spot heading into the final week of regular season competition.

The X-Men came out firing Saturday night, scoring three first period goals on Varsity Reds netminder Travis Fullerton. Chris Hulit opening the scoring in the game with a goal just a minute and 28 seconds into the game, from a Ryan Desrosiers pass.

UNB evened the score just a couple minutes later on a goal by Hunter Tremblay, but defensemen Jeff Caron gave the X-Men a one goal edge with a goal scored at 7:13 of the first period. Hulit and Brett Robertson assisted on the play. Kurt Jerrett increased the X lead to 3-1 before the first period was over with his first goal of the season, assisted by Caron.

The three first period goals were all the X-Men needed, as they held off the Varsity Reds attack throughout the second and third periods, save for a Lachlan MacIntosh goal for UNB midway through the third period. Danny Battochio played stellar between the pipes for StFX, recording 41 saves in the game.

On Sunday night in Charlottetown, Battochio again played solid for the X-Men, and forward Bryce Swan scored 4 goals in a 5-2 win over the UPEI Panthers. Battochio had 21 saves in that game and improved his win-loss record to 14-11 for the season.

Both teams were held scoreless through the first period of play then the X-Men posted a 3-2 lead after the second period. Swan scored all three goals, all even strength markers. Brett Morrison assisted on all three goals and Phil Mangan chipped in with 2 assists. Matthew Carter and Cory Vitarelli replied for the Panthers.

Swan notched his fourth goal of the game on the powerplay, 10:08 into the third period. Jeff Caron and Brett Liscomb provided the assists. Robertson rounded out the scoring for the X-Men with their final goal at 14:13.

With the two big wins on the road, the X-Men improve their league record to 14-10-2 and currently sit in fourth place with 30 points, one ahead of both Acadia and UPEI. They have two regular season games remaining this week as teams battle for playoff positions and home ice advantage.

The X-Men host Dalhousie (4-21-1) on Wednesday night, 7:00 pm at the StFX Keating Centre, and wrap up the season on the road Saturday night at Acadia.