V-Reds defeat X-Men in overtime thriller

Fredericton, NB - Philippe Halley was the hero Friday night at the Aitken Centre, bringing the 1900 fans to their feet as he scored the OT winning goal, giving UNB a 3-2 win over StFX in AUS men's hockey action.

The rookie from Quebec City went inside-out on the StFX defence through the slot, before backhanding his third goal of the year top shelf for the game winner, 49 seconds into overtime.

StFX had drawn first blood in the game late in the first period, with Brandon Hynes feeding Jason Bast wide open in the high slot, who fired his seventh of the year, and his team-leading 24th point.

The V-Reds knotted it up midway through the second period as they got a three-on-two rush up ice. Nick MacNeil left the puck for Matt Petgrave who made no mistake ripping his third of the year top corner over goaltender Drew Owsley.

Two minutes into the third Maillet gave UNB its first lead of the game, fighting off an X-Men defender in the slot and backhanding his 12th goal of the year.

But UNB fell into penalty trouble midway through the period, and after Petgrave got called for interference and Keevin Cutting for tripping 30 seconds later, StFX capitalized 21 seconds into the five-on-three with Rob Slaney scoring an identical goal to Bast's, as the X-Men tied it at 2-2 to force overtime.

Joel Vienneau got his second straight start in nets for UNB, stopping 22 shots to remain undefeated and pick up his third straight win.

Owsley had 26 saves for the X-Men who were outshot 29-26 by the V-Reds.

The Varsity Reds are back on the ice Saturday night against the Saint Mary's Huskies. The X-Men travel to Moncton for a game against the Aiges Bleus. Puck drop for both games is 7:00 pm.

Courtesy Nick Murray, UNB Sports Information