X-Men close out season with another shootout win

Wolfville, NS – The STFX X-Men earned their third straight shootout victory, this time a 2-1 decision over the Acadia Axemen in the final game of the AUS regular season Saturday night.

Jack Milner earned the win in the STFX net with 36 saves on the night. Thomas Couture made 26 saves to keep Acadia in the game.

The first period ended scoreless. Both teams had power-play chances but could not convert. Logan O'Neil took an early penalty for StFX, but the Axemen penalty kill held. Acadia's Cole Burbidge and Cam Whynot later served penalties, giving the visitors opportunities, but strong defensive play kept the game even. Couture and Milner each made key saves to preserve the tie.

The second period followed a similar pattern. Burns generated several chances and tested Milner often, but neither team found the back of the net. Both sides had multiple power plays, including a late cross-checking penalty at 18:58, yet the score remained 0-0 heading into the third.

STFX finally broke the goose egg late in the third period when Ryan Struthers scored at the 17-minute mark, capitalizing on an Acadia turnover.

Acadia responded quickly as less than 30 seconds later, Bailey Peach scored off a pass from Brady Burns to tie the game. Both teams continued to press, with Burns and Ryan McGuire creating chances, but neither side could find a go-ahead goal before the end of regulation.

Overtime was scoreless despite several opportunities. Burns had a chance early that was stopped by Milner, while Couture turned aside attempts from Logan Chisholm and Raegan Wiles.

The shootout saw two of three X shooters score, with only one Axemen finding twine. Lucas Canning fired off the final shootout goal and Milner stood tall in the net on the final Acadia shooter to seal the STFX win.

The same two teams will now meet in the AUS best-of-three quarterfinal series as Acadia (17-7-1-4) finishes in third place overall and STFX (13-13-0-3) in sixth. Fourth place Saint Mary's (16-0-1-3) and fifth place UPEI (17-13-0-0) will meet in the other quarterfinal series.

First place UNB (20-8-2-0) and second place Moncton (19-9-1-1) receive first round playoff byes and will await the quarterfinal winners for their respective best-of-five semifinal series.

Acadia will host Game 1 of the quarterfinals on Wednesday, Feb. 18^th, with Game 2 at STFX on Friday, February 20^th. Game 3, if necessary, will be back at Acadia on Sunday, February 22. All games times are 7:00 pm.

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