X-Men routed by Reds

(FREDERICTON, NB) Chris Clapperton (Cap d'Espoir, QC) scored once and assisted on three other goals as the UNB Reds routed the visiting St FX X-Men 8-1 on Friday.

The X-Men kept the game close in the first period, down only 1-0 after 20 minutes. But the game slipped away from X during the second, when they conceded four UNB goals.

The X-Men started quickly, registering a great scoring opportunity in the first minute of play, but Reds goaltender Alex Dubeau (Mascouche, QC) was able to get a pad on the puck.

UNB's Alex Goulet (Disraeli, QC) showed great skill in moving through three X-Men before getting a shot on Chase Marchand (Halifax, NS). Marchand made the save.

Play went back and forth during the period until Tyler Boland (St. John's, NL) opened the scoring at 17:22.

Just past the six-minute mark of the second, Clapperton tucked a shot under the crossbar and behind Marchand, giving UNB a 2-0 lead. That goal sparked the Reds.

Matt Boucher (Los Angeles, CA), Mark Simpson (Rothesay, NB), and Boland, with his second, scored in a span of 1:23, chasing Marchand from the St FX net. Blade Mann-Dixon (Antigonish, NS) came on in relief.

The onslaught continued in the third period, as Kris Bennett (Brampton, ON) and Boucher, with his second, extended UNB's lead to 7-0.

Matt Needham (Penticton, BC) spoiled Dubeau's shut-out bid, with a goal at 16:18 of the third period.

Oliver Cooper (Fredericton, NB) made it 8-1 with less than two minutes to play.

The Reds outshot X 55-19.

UNB is now 9-0-2 to start the season, while the X-Men see their record dip to 7-3-2.

The Reds will remain at home and host Dalhousie on Saturday. Game time is 7:00pm. StFX visits Charlottetown, for a Saturday date with the UPEI Panthers.

-30- 

Courtesy Lauren Kelly, UNB Athletics