X-Men hockey looking forward to second half of season

The CIS ranked No. 6 X-Men hockey team look to continue their winning ways heading into the second half of the AUS season.

Posting an 11-2-2 record in regular season play during the opening half of the season, the X-Men currently sit alone in second place with 24 points in the competitive AUS standings. They are one point behind first place Acadia (12-2-1), ranked No. 1 in the CIS, and two points up on CIS No. 7 UNB who have a 10-3-2 record.

UPEI (8-6-1, 17 points), Saint Mary's (7-6-2, 16 points) and Moncton (7-6-2, 16 points) round out the top six while Dalhousie (4-9-2, 10 points) and St. Thomas (1-13-1, 3 points) bring up the rear.

Lead by head coach Brad Peddle, in his 11th season behind the helm, the X-Men were 5-2 at home and 6-2 on the road, scoring 58 goals for (third in AUS) and allowing 40 goals against, also third overall in the AUS.

Coach Peddle attributes the good start to the season to his team "buying into playing our system and accepting of the roles within our team."

"We rely on a team first approach in our locker room and we were fortunate to get scoring throughout our lineup backed by strong goaltending and a solid team defense." 

Scoring-wise the X-Men are led by second year forward Eric Locke from Toronto, ON, who recently competed in a pair of games against the Canadian Junior Team with a team made up of CIS all-stars. In his 15 AUS games played to date, Locke currently has 23 points, one point back of the AUS scoring leader Cam Brace from UNB. Locke has netted 11 goals and 12 assists.

His linemate, second year forward Kristoff Kontos (Penetanguishene, ON) is ninth in AUS scoring with four goals and 12 assists, while rookie forward Holden Cook (Oshawa, ON) rounds out the StFX top three with 13 points (five goals and eight assists).

Third year defenseman Nathan Chiarlitti (Maple, ON) leads the X-Men blueliners with nine points (one goal and eight assists). Fourth year veteran goalie Drew Owsley (Lethbridge, AB) has maintained his AUS all-star play from last season, posting a 10-3-0 record in the StFX net with a .920 save percentage and 2.43 goals against average.

The X-Men have added defenseman Max Iafrate to their roster for January. A native of Livonia, Michigan and son of former NHLer Al Iafrate, Max joins the X-Men after playing five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, the last four with the Kitchener Rangers. At six-foot-two and 220 pounds, Iafrate was first NHL draft eligible in 2012 but was passed over. He signed with the Providence Bruins of the AHL this season but only appeared in two games before he was released.

"He's a big strong defenceman who will join a solid D core and give us more depth for the second half," comments Peddle. "He has a big shot, plays the game hard and will fit in well with our team and identity of our defence."

Looking ahead to the second half of the AUS season, Coach Peddle comments, "We must continue to do the little things well and take pride in playing a complete 200 foot game. The league takes another step as every team takes their game to a new level. With only 13 games remaining every one becomes a playoff game where each point is crucial. We must prepare for each game with a playoff mentality and continue to improve as we go."

The X-Men resume AUS action with two big games on the road as they visit UPEI on Friday, January 8thand UNB on Saturday, January 9th. They will then host the same two opponents at the StFX Keating Centre on January 15th and 16th.

X-Men fans are reminded that tickets for all home games can be purchased at any time at the StFX Keating Centre box office or online through www.ticketatlantic.ca. Advance ticket rates are available up to two hours prior to game time and will save fans money at the door.

For the complete X-Men schedule, visit  http://www.goxgo.ca/sports/mice/2015-16/schedule.