Panthers top X-Men 4-1 in Saturday afternoon action

(Charlottetown, P.E.I.) – The UPEI Panthers made it a clean sweep for the weekend, defeating the StFX X-Men 4-1 on Saturday afternoon at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown.

UPEI jumped out an early lead with two goals in the first period before the midway point of the frame. 

The first goal came off the stick of the Panthers' Darcy Ashley (Brooklyn, P.E.I.), just three minutes into the game.

UPEI's captain, Mason Wilgosh (Winnipeg, Man.) capitalized on a StFX interference penalty eight minutes into the period to extend the Panthers' lead to two goals.

Nelson Armstrong (Peterborough, Ont.) picked up a helper on Ashley's goal while Reggie Traccitto (Oakville, Ont.) assisted on both Panthers goals.

The X-Men were able to chip into UPEI's early lead thanks to their own power-play goal scored by fourth-year forward Jarrad Struthers (Glace Bay, N.S.) off an assist from Jagger Dirk (Penticton, B.C.) and Bronson Maschmeyer (Bruderheim, Alta.). 

Heading into the second period, StFX trailed UPEI 2-1.

In an evenly played second period, UPEI was able to push their lead back to two thanks to their second power-play goal of the game. This time it was UPEI's Travis McIsaac (Uigg, P.E.I.) finding the net. Assisting on the goal were Chris Desousa (Mississauga, Ont.) and Tyler Brown (Detroit, Michigan).

UPEI took their 3-1 lead into the third period and coasted to a victory thanks to the goaltending of rookie Connor Wilkinson (Ajax, Ont.). Wilkinson faced 26 shots in the game, turning away all but one in his regular season debut.

Brock Beukeboom (Port Perry, Ont.), assisted by Brent Andrews (Hunter River, P.E.I.) put the game away for good scoring at the 12:38 mark in the third period to extend Panthers' lead 4-1, which proved to be the final score.

The UPEI Panthers (3-2-1) look to extend their home win streak next weekend when they host the Saint Mary's Huskies, Halloween night at 7 p.m.

StFX will be in action on Halloween as well when they host the UNB Varsity Reds in Antigonish, also at 7 p.m.

Source: UPEI Sports Information