Halifax, NS - The Saint Mary's Huskies edged out the StFX X-Men with a late goal to keep their record at a perfect 4-0 in AUS men's hockey action at the Halifax Forum on Friday night.
The Huskies took an early lead thanks to a shorthanded goal from Bronson Beaton (Springhill, NS) less than two minutes into the game. On a two-on-one, his wrist shot hit the pads of goalie Chase Marchand (Halifax, NS) and he stuffed his own rebound into the net.
Halfway through the period, SMU struck again with a nice goal from Jake Coughler (St. Catherines, ON) that went top corner. Jacob Friend (Bowmanville, ON) assisted. Playing a dump and chase game, Saint Mary's limited StFX's scoring chances and the period ended with the Huskies in the lead 2-0.
StFX battled back in the second frame, adding their own two goals to even the score. The first came three minutes into the period, after a stretch pass to Daniel Robertson (Windsor, ON). His backhand shot was initially saved by Huskies netminder Eric Brassard (St. Hubert, QC), but Nathan Pancel (Ottawa, ON) was right on the doorstep to tap in the rebound.
The X-Men had a few odd man rushes but were unable to generate scoring opportunities until they were on the power play with five minutes to go. Adam Stevens (Bedford, NS) deflected a cross ice pass from Matt Needham (Penticton, BC) to tie the game 2-2. Bryson Cianfrone (Stoney Creek, ON) also assisted on the play.
In the third period, both teams had chances to pull ahead. Mark Tremaine (Dartmouth, NS) missed on a breakaway for the X-Men, while the Huskies had another shorthanded chance from Calder Brooks (Emerald Park, SK), who beat Marchand but hit the post.
With six minutes to go, Anthony Repaci (Toronto, ON) danced around two X-Men defenders, circled in the corner, and patiently walked back out front. Aaron Berisha (Mississauga, ON) provided a screen in front of the net and tipped Recapi's shot in to give the Huskies the lead.
StFX kept pressing right to the end, pulling Marchand for the extra attacker, but time trickled out and the Huskies took the game 3-2.
The Subway Player of the Game, scoring his first goal of the season, was Bronson Beaton.
Next up, SMU plays host to the Dalhousie Tigers at the Forum on October 13, while StFX travels to Moncton for a game on October 19th.
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Courtesy SMU Sports Information