Panthers skate to 4-1 win over X-Men

(ANTIGONISH, N.S.) - The UPEI Panthers skated to a 4-1 win over the StFX X-Men Saturday night in AUS hockey action.

The loss snapped a five-game win streak for the X-Men in their final home game of the regular season in front of more than 600 fans at the Keating Centre.

The Panthers jumped to a 1-0 lead with the lone goal of the first period. At 8:54, Nick Parker (Windsor, Ont.) deposited a rebound behind X-Men goaltender Drew Owsley (Lethbridge, Alta.). Brent Andrews (Hunter River, P.E.I.) and Marcus Power (St. John's, N.L.) garnered the assists.

UPEI extended to a 3-0 advantage after 40 minutes with a pair of second period goals.

At 5:17, Chris Desousa (Mississauga, Ont.), camped by the side of the X-Men net, deflected a waist-high point shot from Nelson Armstrong (Peterborough, Ont.) behind Owsley.

Parker tallied his second of the game, on an assist from Armstrong, at 16:16.

In the third period, the X-Men cut the lead to 3-1 on a power play goal from Blake Gal (Lethbridge, Alta.), who blasted a one-timer off a pass from freshman defenceman Jagger Dirk (Penticton, B.C.). Michael Kirkpatrick (North Sydney, N.S.) collected the other assist.

The X-Men outshot the Panthers 15-3 in the third period, but could get no closer on the scoreboard.

Reginaldo Traccitto (Oakville, Ont.) wrapped up the scoring for the Panthers with an empty-net goal at the 18:44 mark.

Matt Mahalak (Monroe, Louisiana) made 28 saves for the win, while Owsley turned aside 13 shots in the loss.

The three stars of the game were Mahalak, Parker and X-Men forward Brad Cuzner (Glace Bay, N.S.).

The final X-Men home game of the regular season also served as Senior Night, with six StFX players honoured for their contributions to the program prior to the opening face-off. Ryan Fortune (Cole Harbour, N.S.), Rob Slaney (Portugal Cove, N.L.), Ted Stephens (Whitehorse, Yukon), Michael Kirkpatrick (North Sydney, N.S.), Gabriel O'Connor (Beloeil, Que.) and Mitchell Taylor (Newmarket, Ont.) received framed action photos from X-Men head coach Brad Peddle.

With the win, the Panthers improve to 11-13-2, while the X-Men drop to 17-8-1.

"We have been playing well of late and we want to continue that, building momentum heading into the playoffs," X-Men assistant coach Erin King said after the game.

The Panthers return to action Friday, Feb. 6, when they host the UNB Varsity Reds in Charlottetown.

On the same night, the X-Men will visit Halifax to face the Saint Mary's Huskies.

Puck drop for both games is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Source: StFX Sports Communications