Smith ends 4OT marathon to send X-Men to semifinals

(Feb. 17, 2024) - Declan Smith (Antigonish, NS) scored the game-winning goal on Saturday night in Wolfville to clinch the quarter-final series for the StFX X-Men over the Acadia Axemen in the fourth overtime at Andrew H McCain Arena.  

Smith's goal gave StFX the 3-2 victory in the second longest game in U SPORTS men's hockey history. The current record is 121:53 of total time, set by UNB and Acadia on Feb. 27, 2011 in Game 2 of their AUS semifinal series in Fredericton. Tonight's final playing time was 118:19, just under three minutes short of the all-time record. 

This all comes on the heels of Game 1 played on Feb. 14 - a game that saw the X-Men end it in triple-overtime. 

Coming in clutch when needed, Smith scored his first of the night, the game-tying goal, to send the game to overtime with just 1:13 remaining in regulation.  

For StFX, it was Clark Webster (Kensington, PE) that opened the scoring in the game, 11:32 into the second period.  

Acadia answered with two goals in the third from Ethan Ernst (Weyburn, SK) at 2:09 and Nick Deakin-Poot (Georgetown, ON) at 10:24 to take a 2-1 lead. 

Thomas Couture (Levis, QC) made 76 saves in the loss for the Axemen, while Joseph Raaymakers (Chatham, ON) made 61 saves in the victory.  

StFX will now play Moncton in the AUS semifinal round, while Saint Mary's will face UNB. Dates for the next round are still to be announced.  

- Recap by Acadia Athletics