Callaghan hattrick helps propel X-Men to 7-1 win over Tigers

ANTIGONISH, NS - A four-goal explosion in the second period, including a natural hattrick in under three minutes from second year defender and Gabriel Pizza Player of the Game Charlie Callaghan (Toronto, ON) drove the STFX X-Men to a 7-1 win over the visiting Dalhousie Tigers on Wednesday night at the Charles V Keating Centre. 

Rookie STFX forward and second star of the night Alex Christopoulos (Richmond Hill, ON) kicked off the scoring four minutes into the game, knocking home a saucer pass from Logan Chisholm (Antigonish, NS) on a two-on-one. Shawn Spearing (Toronto, ON) had the second assist. 

Connor Roberts (Owen Sound, ON) made it a two-goal game under three minutes later, firing a high backhand after getting the puck alone in front off a pass from Callaghan, and Simon Motew (Highland Park, IL). 

STFX continued to carry much of the play for the rest of the period. A late powerplay for the Tigers spelled trouble for the X-Men, but Lucas Pfeil (Owen Sound, ON) came up with a couple of big saves. Chisholm came close to adding another, but Dalhousie goalie Robbie Forbes (Oakville, ON) barred the door on a breakaway.  

The X-Men went on a five-minute powerplay midway through the second period, though a STFX penalty shortly thereafter made for some exciting four-on-four action. Callaghan capitalized on the open ice, skating in from his own blueline after collecting a pass from Christopoulos, blowing by a defender, and shooting high to make it a 3-0 game.

Callaghan sniped another from the faceoff dot just over a minute later, with Cole Stewart (Moncton, NB) and Ethan Burroughs (Georgetown, ON) assisting, and picked up the natural hattrick a minute later, shooting from the same spot while still on the powerplay. Zack Trott (Mulmur, ON) and Christopoulos had the helpers on the second goal. 

Christopoulos made it four goals in the period with about six minutes to go, one-timing a pass from Burroughs while on the man-advantage, with Callaghan also picking up a helper. Shots at the end of the second period were 37-18 in favor of the home team. 

The Tigers pressed early in the final period, trying to break the shutout, but it was Chisholm notching another marker for STFX with seven minutes to play, redirecting a pass from Raegan Wiles (Calgary, AB).

Dalhousie broke the goose egg with five minutes to go, with Colin MacDougall (Carlisle, ON) taking a pass from Ethan Martini (Trail, BC) and knocking one home from in close. 

Forbes and Alexander MacDonald (Truro, NS) made a combined 48 saves for the Tigers, while Pfeil made 29 while picking up the win and third star honors. 

The X-Men return to action on Friday, October 18, when they host the UPEI Panthers at 7 p.m. The Tigers next play on Saturday, October 19, when they host the same Panthers squad, also at 7 p.m.

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics