Aigles Bleus beat X-Men in shootout

ANTIGONISH, NS - Les Moncton Aigles Bleus defeated the STFX X-Men with a tough 3-2 shootout win Saturday night at the Charles V Keating Centre in the X-Men's home opening game of the 2025-26 season.

Moncton's Jeremy D'Astous scored the only goal of the shootout, after the teams battled to a tie through regulation and overtime.   

Olivier Luc Hache opened the scoring for the visitors 36 seconds into the game, depositing a behind the net pass from Jacob Boilard. 

STFX's Ryan McGuire tied things up two minutes later, getting the last stick on a nifty passing play from Cole Stewart and Ryan Struthers.  

The intensity picked up in the second period, with both teams throwing the body around. STFX goalie Patrick Leaver and Moncton's Nathan Darveau stayed strong through the middle 20 minutes, and the period ended with the game still tied.  

D'Astous struck again for the visitors with six minutes left in the game, but Antonio Pugliese pulled X even under a minute later, wristing one low after winning the puck in the central zone. 

The rest of the period and overtime solved nothing, leading to the game winner from D'Astous.  

Darveau was named first star for his 32 save performance, while McGuire was second star and STFX Gabriel Pizza player of the game for his goal, and Leaver picked up third star honors, with 34 stops on the night.  

The X-Men return to home ice on Wednesday, October 15, when they host the Saint Mary's Huskies at 7 p.m.     

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper