The hockey X-Men snapped the Huskies six game winning streak and handed them a 6-1 loss at the StFX Keating Centre on Saturday night. Danny Battochio played solid for X in nets, garnering 33 saves and six separate X-Men snipers hit the back of the net.

Brett Liscomb opened the scoring in the game for StFX with a power play goal at the 3:54 mark of the first period, and their second goal came less then two minutes later courtesy of Matthew Bragg. The X-Men continued their scoring barrage in the second period with three more goals off the sticks of Kevin Undershute, Brett Robertson and Phil Mangan.

After Mangan’s goal put the X-Men up 5-0 with eight minutes left to go in the second period, Huskies starting netminder Brandon Verge was pulled for Cory Chipman. The Huskies scored a single goal in the third period (Tyler Hawes) and Bryce Swan rounded out the scoring for StFX.

Chris Hulit and Sean Flinn each had two assists a piece for the X-Men who were out shot in the game by the Huskies 36 to 31.

With the win, the X-Men improve their record to 7-5-2 and currently sit in sixth place with 16 points in a close AUS division that sees only four points separating first through sixth places. Saint Mary’s, UNB and Moncton are all tied for first place with 20 points a piece, followed by UPEI (18), Acadia (17) and StFX (16). St. Thomas (7) and Dalhousie (6) round out the basement.

Saturday’s game marks the final league game for the X-Men prior to the holiday break. They will travel to Acadia on Tuesday, Dec. 30 for the first game of this year’s Keating Cup Challenge. Acadia will be at the StFX Keating Centre on Friday, Jan. 2 at 7pm for the second and final game of the Challenge. Should each team win a game, a ten minute sudden death overtime period (followed by a shootout if necessary) will be played immediately following Game 2 to determine this year’s Keating Cup Challenge winner.