X-Men Top Reds, Force Deciding Game in AUS Finals

Courtesy Brian Freeman, The Chronicle Herald

The St. Francis Xavier X-Men doubled the UNB Varsity Reds 6-3 on Wednesday night to force a fifth and deciding game in their Atlantic University Hockey Conference final.

In Antigonish, Chris Hulit, R.D. Chisholm, Brennen Wray, Spencer McAvoy, Kevin Undershute and Bryce Swan tallied for the X-Men, who erased a 3-2 deficit with four goals in the first nine minutes of the third period.

Nick MacNeil, Jordan Clendenning and Daine Todd countered for the Varsity Reds, who had a 33-21 edge in shots on goal.

UNB started the third frame on the power play but Varsity Reds netminder Travis Fullerton mishandled the puck behind his own net and Wray buried a wrap-around 11 seconds in to tie the contest at 3-3.

Less than two minutes later, Fullerton was penalized for delay of game when his clearing attempt went over the glass and McAvoy’s shot from the top of the faceoff circle 34 seconds later gave St. F.X. its first lead.

Undershute punched in a rebound at 8:24 when Fullerton couldn’t hold on to Derek Claffey’s point shot, and Swan converted a pass from Wray 27 seconds later to end Fullerton’s night.

Derek Yeomans finished up for UNB, stopping the only two shots directed his way.

Joseph Perricone made 27 saves for the X-Men, including 14 in a scoreless first period during which the Varsity Reds had a 14-4 advantage in shots.

UNB will host Game 5 on Friday night in Fredericton.