X-Men score three unanswered goals in third period in win over UPEI

By Thomas Becker

It wasn't the weekend the UPEI Panthers hoped for.

A night after their comeback bid fell short against the Dalhousie Tigers, the Panthers (2-6) played in another close game Saturday night, resulting in another gut-wrenching loss, this time at the hands of the St. FX X-Men 3-1.

The X-Men (4-3-1) scored three unanswered goals in the third period to extend their win streak to three games. Jacob Hudson, Josh Nelson and Logan Chisholm all scored in the decisive frame. 

In a gritty defensive battle that spanned the first two periods, the Panthers broke the deadlock with a goal 15 minutes into the game. Kaleb Pearson, who scored in three straight games coming into this contest, put the Panthers ahead 1-0 thanks to some timely forechecking. On the scoring play, the third-year forward raced from the bench and stole the puck from Sam Allison before firing a wrist shot past Joseph Raaymakers. 

The Panthers' defence worked tirelessly to keep the X-Men at bay, resulting in a scoreless second period. However, the X-Men were not to be outdone. Despite their early deficit, they remained disciplined and focused on their game plan and it paid off in the final period.

UPEI netminder Jonah Capriotti, who was solid throughout the first two periods, faced a barrage of shots, as the X-Men doubled their shot total from 15 to 30 in the frame. St. FX would strike at 4:15 on a determined effort from Hudson. After the third-year forward's initial shot was stopped, he took two more whacks at the puck before sliding one by Capriotti to even the score at one apiece. 

Then, at 11:33, they pulled ahead. Off a faceoff draw, Connor Roberts' shot was blocked in front of the net, where Nelson scored on the backhand to make it 2-1. Chisholm added an empty-net goal at 18:33 to secure the win.

The Panthers travel to Moncton on November 1 to take on the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus, while the X-Men travel to Wolfville for a Friday night tilt against the Acadia Axemen.

Photo Credit: Kirsten Larkin