The CIS No. 10 X-Men hockey team dropped their second game in as many days, this time a 3-2 loss at to the UPEI Panthers Saturday evening in Antigonish. The game was high intensity and high emotionally, as both teams battled for the win.

Chris Desousa’s goal at 9:12 of the third period would prove to be the differentiator in the game. The goal was in question for a brief period of time as the referee’s whistle had blown for a penalty, but the officials ruled that the puck went into the net just prior to the whistle and was good. Matthew Brenton and Travis McIsaac picked up assists on the goal which gave the Panthers a 3-1 lead at that point in the game. Desousa’s goal was the only one of the game scored while on even strength.

Cory MacIntosh scored for the X-Men on the power play at 15:18 of the third period to put them back within reach as he batted in a bouncing puck in front of the UPEI net. Cole Grbavac and Josh Day assisted. MacIntosh nearly scored the tying goal as he rung one off the post with two minutes to play.

Just when the X-Men were looking to pull goaltender Joey Perricone and go for the equalizer, forward Josh Day was called for a late third period cross checking penalty, and the Panthers were able to hang on for the 3-2 victory.
The visitors had opened the scoring in the game with a 7:40 first period power play goal by Jordan Knox. Matthew Maione and Reggis Traccitto assisted on the redirected shot. The 1-0 Panthers lead held after twenty minutes as shots were fairly even at 11-10 for the X-Men in the opening frame.

Subway player of the game Traccitto scored the Panthers second goal, also on the power play, at 16:26 of the second period. His screen shot from the point beat Perricone as Dana Fraser and Maione picked up the assists.

Brennen Wray brought the X-Men back to within one goal as he replied with a power play marker at 18:53. Day and Michael Kirkpatrick assisted as Wray’s snap shot beat Panthers netminder Wayne Savage up high. The goal came as consecutive Panther penalties were being called.

Shots were 18-10 in favor of the X-Men in the second period as they found themselves down 2-1 after two periods of play. Desousa’s goal then gave the Panthers a 3-1 edge and eventually the 3-2 victory.

Shots ended 38-29 for the X-Men as Perricone posted 26 saves in the losing effort. Savage picked up the win in the Panthers net with 36 saves.

UPEI capped off a two-win weekend and improve to 10-9-1 on the season. They sit in fourth place in the AUS conference with 24 points, three back of the fourth place X-Men who fell to 11-7-2 with two weekend losses. StFX will travel to Wolfville, NS on Wednesday night, January 16th to take on the third place Acadia Axemen (13-6-1). UPEI will host Moncton (8-9-3) also on Wednesday night.