Leaver stands tall in X net as X-Men shutout top-ranked Reds

X-Men take home thrilling 1-0 win over UNB REDS on Saturday night on home ice

Photo credit Bryan Kennedy
Photo credit Bryan Kennedy
November 16, 2024

ANTIGONISH, NS - The STFX X-Men took home a thrilling 1-0 win over the UNB REDS on Saturday night at the Charles V Keating Centre. Second star of the game Alex Christopoulos (Richmond Hill, ON) scored the only goal of the game with 34 seconds to go, firing one home after Jacob Maillet (Dundas, ON) won a draw in the UNB end.

The victory marks the second time this season the X-Men defeated the REDS, the top ranked club in U SPORTS men's hockey. It's also the first regulation loss for UNB since February 4, 2023, and the first time someone held UNB off the scoreboard since October, 2022. 

The game started quick, and a couple of big saves from STFX goalie and Gabriel Pizza Player of the game Patrick Leaver (Perth, ON) kept the game even.

UNB goalie Samuel Richard (Ste. Catherine, QC) also had a busy period and was solid when needed.

STFX had a pair of powerplays but the REDS, who own the best penalty kill in the AUS, were up to the task. The UNB powerplay, also ranked first in the AUS, went to work late in the first period, but the best chance of the two minutes came off a great individual effort from STFX's Zack Trott (Mulmur, ON). 

Shots at the end of 20 minutes were 9-9.     

There was a bit of a dust-up three minutes into the second period, leading to another UNB powerplay. The teams continued to go beak to beak, though the REDS started to pull away in terms of shots while limiting chances for the home team.

The hard hits kept coming from both squads, and the score remained 0-0 after 40 minutes. 

The rough stuff continued in the third period, with UNB still outshooting STFX. The REDS pressed to take the lead but Leaver, who made 34 saves on the night, kept a clean sheet.

Richard had 17 stops for UNB. 

The X-Men return to home ice next weekend with a Friday, November 22, matchup with the Acadia Axemen at 7 p.m. The REDS continue their road swing with a game in Charlottetown against the UPEI Panthers on Wednesday, November 20. 

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics