Underdog X-Men take 2-0 series lead over V-Reds

Call them underdogs, call them the Cinderella team of the AUS, or just call them flat out determined. The AUS fifth seeded StFX X-Men lead the CIS ranked No. 1 UNB Varsity Reds 2-0 in their best-of-5 semi-finals series after stealing a 3-2 win in Fredericton Friday night.

Game 3 is slated for Tuesday night back in Antigonish.

The victory marked the third consecutive win for the X-Men at the Aitken Centre and the third loss of the AUS season for the top seeded Varsity Reds who are left scratching their heads after outshooting StFX 31-6 in the game. The X-Men did not register a shot on net in the third period.

X-Men second year forward Phil Mangan scored two goals and rookie goaltender Bryan Gillis earned his fourth consecutive playoff win and was named the Player of the Game as the X-Men opened up a 3-0 lead in the game over the Varsity Reds.

Mangan scored the first X-Men goal 8:38 into the first period, with the assist going to Josh Day as StFX held a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play, despite being outshot 16-3. 

Veteran fifth year forward Ryan Desrosiers notched a shorthanded marker for the X-Men just 2:08 into the second period. Sean Donovan and Murdock MacLellan earned the helpers. Derek Yeomans started in nets for the Varsity Reds but was replaced for Game 1 goaltender Travid Fullerton after the Desrosiers goal.

Mangan increased the StFX lead to 3-0 as he scored a power play goal at 8:26, his second of the game. Josh Day tallied his second point of the evening on the assist.

The Varsity Reds would finally solve Bryan Gillis as Ben Shutron found the back of the net at the 16:40 mark of the second period. Lachlan MacIntosh and Chris Culligan assisted. UNB manages just 5 shots in the second frame and the X-Men 3 shots.

UNB pulled to within a goal late in the third period as Daine Todd scored at 13:50 to make it a 3-2 game. Ben Shutron and Jonathan Harty earned the assists. The X-Men would continue their strong defensive play from Game 1, however and were able to hold onto the win.

The Varsity Reds were 0 for 6 in power play opportunities while the X-Men were 1 for 3.

All four of the X-Men playoff victories were won by a 3-2 score. With the 2-0 series lead, the X-Men are looking to close out the best 3-of-5 series at home at the StFX Keating Centre. Game 3 is scheduled for Tuesday, March 2nd at 7:00 pm while Game 4, if necessary, will follow on Wednesday night. The Varsity Reds need to win two on the road to force a Game 5 back in Fredericton on Saturday night.

The Varsity Reds are the defending CIS champions while the X-Men are looking to advance to the AUS championship for the first time since 2004. The winner of the semi-final series will advance to play the winner of the Acadia-Saint Mary’s series which is currently deadlocked at 1-1.

StFX Sports Information