X-Men fall to V-Reds in Fredericton

(FREDERICTON, NB) - The UNB Varsity Reds secured their hold on first place in the Atlantic University Sport standings with a 5-3 win over the second place StFX X-Men on Friday night. The game was played at UNB's sold out Aitken Centre.

Chris Caissy (Campbellton, NB) had a goal and an assist to lead the V-Reds, while Cam Brace (Etobicoke, ON) had a pair of assists.

Bryson Cianfrone (Stoney Creek, ON) scored once and assisted on another goal for the X-Men, and Michael Clarke (London, ON) had two assists. Kristoff Kontos (Penetanguishene, ON) and Adam Stevens(Bedford, NS) had the other goals for the X-Men.

Dylan Willick (Prince George, BC), Oliver Cooper (Fredericton, NB), Kris Bennett (Brampton, ON), and Peter Trainor (Fredericton, NB) also scored for UNB.

"That's a huge win," said Trainor. "There's been a lot of talk about how good that team is and we knew they were going to come in here strong. For us to come out on top is a huge game for us."

Trainor's goal was his first of the season. "I've been waiting on that one for a while," he said. "It felt good. We've had chances all year and finally for it go in, especially in a game like this, was awesome."

Alex Dubeau (Mascouche, QC) made 19 saves on 22 shots for the win. One of his biggest saves of the night came on a point-blank opportunity for Kontos. Dubeau flashed across the crease to preserve a 4-3 UNB lead.

"I wanted to redeem myself for allowing the third goal," said Dubeau. "We were contesting a bit that there was maybe an off-side, but I should've stayed focused. I just wanted to redeem myself with a big, key save and I did."

"I thought I had. That was a good save by the goalie over there," said Kontos. "That's hockey. Bounces go the other way, but give them credit, they're a good hockey team and we made a good push and they held us off."

Brandon Hope (Canton, MI) allowed five goals on 45 shots for the X-Men.

StFX has now lost three in a row, but remain in second place in the AUS with a record of 8-1-2.

"We weren't sharp at all in the first 15 minutes," said X-Men head coach Brad Peddle. "In the third period you saw kind of what this team is capable of and what we've seen for the first ten games of the regular season, aside from tonight. There was lots of energy and even with a short bench we were still finding ways to muster some chances against a good hockey team."

The Varsity Reds are now 10-0-1 through the first 11 games.

"We're a team that prides itself in getting the lead, then protecting it and finding ways to extend it throughout the night," said Varsity Reds head coach Gardiner MacDougall.

The X-Men are scheduled to visit UPEI on Saturday night, while the Varsity Reds are scheduled to host the Dalhousie Tigers.

Courtesy Andy Campbell, UNB Athletics