By Glenn MacDonald, The Chronicle-Herald

Feb 21, 2008 - The St. Francis Xavier X-Women enjoyed a regular season like no other in AUS women’s hockey.

But a perfect 21-0 mark and numerous statistical accomplishments are now filed away in the record book as the conference playoffs are set to roll.

And despite the successes in the regular season, it would be deemed meaningless if it’s not culminated with a title. StFX coach David Synishin could use the New England Patriots as an example where the quest of perfection came to an abrupt end in the championship.

"We use it as motivation," Synishin said of the Patriots’ Super Bowl loss. "That’s what can happen in a one-game elimination series. That’s a lesson to be learned.

"But we are prepared. We haven’t looked beyond any team this season. We have to be playing our best hockey regardless of who we are playing this weekend. Whoever we play, we will be in tough."

The X-Women’s win total established a new conference record. They became only the third Atlantic conference team to post an undefeated season, joining the 2002-03 Saint Mary’s Huskies (14-0-0) and the 2003-04 St. F.X. squad (13-0-1-0).

StFX, in search of its sixth conference banner, scored a league-high 126 goals and allowed just 18 goals against.

The goaltending tandem of Katie Harvieux and Crystal Stewart combined for 10 shutouts. Forward and captain Brayden Ferguson led the CIS in scoring with 50 points and became the first AUS player to break the 50-point plateau twice in her career. And Sheila Kelly concluded her university career as the AUS’s all-time leading scorer among blue-liners with 12 goals, 65 assists and 79 points in five seasons.

"They really set the example for us this season," Synishin said. "I look at Brayden and to be able to play at the level she does, game in and game out, it was outstanding.