The X-Men hockey team opened pre-season exhibition play Wednesday evening in Halifax against the Saint Mary's Huskies. After the game ended with a 4-4 tie, the teams played a shootout to decide the winner and Huskies forward Stephen Johnston scored the game winner as Saint Mary's won 5-4.
The Huskies held a 1-0 lead after the first period as Michael Curtis opened the scoring in the game with a power play goal at 16:59.
The X-Men responded with a second period marker by Zack MacQueen just 40 seconds in, as Gabe O'Connor was tagged with the assist. The 1-1 score held until the second intermission.
The teams then exploded for three goals apiece in the third and final frame. Michael Kirkpatrick scored an early power play goal for StFX 37 seconds into the period, from Cole Grbavac and Eric Locke. Alex Cord tied it at 2-2 with a goal at 7:25 for SMU.
The X-Men took a two-goal lead on consecutive power play markers from Nathan Chiarlitti (Blake Gal) and unassisted from Ryan Fortune at 11:18 and 11:47.
The Huskies responded with goals by Bradley Greene (14:34) and Gerrad Grant (17:56) to deadlock the game at 4-4 after 60 minutes of play.
After foregoing an overtime period due to exhibition play, Johnston prevailed with the shootout winner for Saint Mary's, who were outshot 43-31 by the X-Men.
Anthony Peters (24 saves) and Cole Cheveldave (15 saves) shared the goaltending duties for Saint Mary's while Drew Owsley minding the net for StFX with 27 saves on the night.
The X-Men will play another pre-season game on Friday, Sept. 19th when they host fellow AUS opponent Universite de Moncton at 7:00 pm at the Antigonish Arena.