North Sydney, NS – The X-Men hockey team faced off against the Saint Mary's Huskies Friday night at the Emera Centre in pre-season exhibition action, playing to a 4-1 victory in front of over 500 Cape Breton fans.

Cole Grbavac (Calgary, AB) got the X-Men off to an early lead with a power play goal just over two minutes into the first period from Ted Stephens (Whitehorse, YT) and Jarrad Struthers (Glace Bay, NS). Struthers was one of four Cape Breton natives in the StFX line-up. Other included Glace Bay native Brad Cuzner and playing in their hometown of North Sydney, Michael Kirkpatrick and Cory MacIntosh. Captain Rob Slaney (Portugal Cove, NF) also spent time in Sydney as a member of the Cape Breton screaming Eagles during his QMJHL days.

Stephens then gave the X-Men a two-goal lead when he notched their second goal of the game just over a minute later, also on the power play. Nathan Chiarlitti (Maple, ON) and Gabe O'Connor (Beloeil, QC ) assisted on the play.  

Saint Mary's forward Gerrad Grant (Halifax, NS) got the Huskies on the board at 7:29 of the first period, assisted by Francis Menard (Embrun, ON) as the visitors outshot the X-Men 13-5 in the opening frame.

A scoreless second period saw the X-Men hold a 10-5 shot advantage despite being held off the scoreboard.

Cuzner re-established the X-Men's two goal lead with a third period unassisted goal at 5:28. Struthers rounded out the scoring at 12:23 from Cuzner and MacIntosh.

The Huskies outshot the X-Men 31-21 including 13-6 in the third period.

Drew Owsley (Lethbridge, AB) earned the win in nets for the X-Men with 30 saves on the night. Anthony Peters (Blyth, ON) and Cole Cheveldave (Calgary, AB) shared the netminding duties for the Huskies.   

Saint Mary's will head to Cap Pele, NB for an exhibition game against Moncton on October 4^th for their next on-ice action, while the X-Men are heading south of the border for a pair of exhibition games against NCAA opponents. On October 4^th they will play the University of New Hampshire, followed by a game on the 5^th with Merrimack College.