X-Women skate past Moncton 3–1 to extend hot start

Moncton, NB - The STFX X-Women continued their strong start to the AUS season with a 3–1 road win over the Moncton Aigles Bleues Friday night at the J.-Louis-Lévesque Arena. With the victory, the X-Women improve to 5–1–0 on the season.

Goaltender Brooklyn Oakes was sharp between the pipes for STFX, turning aside 25 of 26 shots to earn the win.

The X-Women struck early as Grace Gonyer opened the scoring just 2:43 into the first period, capitalizing on a Moncton turnover and beating goaltender Annick Boudreau.

The Aigles Bleues responded late in the frame on the power play, when Arianne Roy converted a setup from Valerie Haché and Erica Plourde at 17:44 to even the score at 1–1 after 20 minutes.

In the second period, STFX regained the lead as Ireland McCloskey buried a feed from Alexis Perry at 5:49. McCloskey's marker would stand as the game winner and earned her STFX player of the game honours.

The X-Women added insurance midway through the third on the power play. Claire Carruthers ripped home a point shot at 10:59, assisted by Jerika Spry and Vivian Hinch, to make it 3–1.

Despite being outshot 10–7 in the final frame, Oakes and the STFX defense held firm, killing off two penalties and limiting Moncton's chances the rest of the way.

Boudreau made 23 saves in the loss for Moncton, who went 1-for-3 on the power play, while STFX finished 1-for-2 with the man advantage.

The X-Women continue their road trip on Saturday with a matchup against the UPEI Panthers at 3:00 pm.

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