Leaver turns aside 55 in STFX's shootout win
Canning scores only goal of shootout, and Leaver turns aside 55 shots and all shootout chances as X-Men defeat league-leading Aigles Bleus 3-2
ANTIGONISH, NS - The STFX X-Men toppled the AUS leading Moncton Aigles Bleus with an exciting 3-2 shootout win on Saturday night at the Charles V Keating Centre. Lucas Canning ended the game with the only goal of the shootout, while Gabriel Pizza Player of the Game Patrick Leaver turned aside 55 shots and all shootout chances he faced while picking up the win for the Blue and White.
STFX opened the scoring three minutes into the game, with third star Ryan Stuthers stuffing in a loose puck in front of the Moncton net.
Canning notched his 16th goal of the season seven minutes later, on the man advantage, wristing a shot from the faceoff dot, with assists going to Ryan McGuire and Logan Chisholm.
Leaver was strong in the STFX net turning aside 17 shots in the opening 20 minutes.
Leaver continued to come up with big saves early in the second period, including a cross-crease pad stop eight minutes in. Moncton found the net five minutes before the intermission, with second star Charles-Edouard Drouin potting one off a pass from Olivier Luc Hache. Mika Cyr added his 19th goal of the year for Moncton four minutes later, ripping one home from the slot with Jeremy D'Astous assisting.
The shot numbers continued to favour the visitors in the third period, as Moncton also controlled possession. The STFX defense held up though, and Leaver's work in the net forced overtime and the eventual shootout.
STFX hosts their final home game of the regular season next Friday, February 13, when they host the St. Mary's Huskies at 7 p.m.
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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics
