Bridgewater, NS - A rally from a three-goal deficit fell short as the StFX X-Men dropped a 5-3 decision to the Saint Mary's Huskies in pre-season hockey action Wednesday night at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre.

The visitors opened the scoring at 2:42 of the first period on a goal from Stephen Shipley (Ilderton, ON), on an assist by Michael Curtis (Georgetown, ON).

At 10:46, on the power play, the X-Men evened the game on a marker from junior forward Blake Gal (Lethbridge, AB), on a set-up from third-year defenseman Nathan Chiarlitti (Maple, ON).

The Huskies jumped to a 3-1 advantage early in the middle period on two goals in 32 seconds, including a Matt Tipoff (Toronto, ON) effort at 1:07, on assists from Ben Duffy (Lower Sackville, NS) and Kyle Pereira (Brampton, ON).

At 1:39, Jamie Doornbosch (Richmond Hill, ON) doubled the Saint Mary's lead, with an assist coming from Steven Beyers (Orangeville, ON).

At 12:07, Mitchell Maynard (Cole Harbour, NS) made it 4-1. Stephen MacAulay (Cole Harbour, NS) notched the lone helper.

Late in the second period, at 19:08, freshman forward Nathan Pancel (Ottawa, ON) sliced the X-Men deficit to 4-2. Holden Cook (Oshawa, ON), another first-year forward, assisted on the goal.

In the third period, the X-Men pulled within one goal (4-3) when Kristoff Kontos (Penetanguishene, ON) scored on the power play at 5:47, on assists from Pancel and Cook, who both collected two points on the night.

Maynard, with his second goal of the game, gave the Huskies a 5-3 edge at 12:37. Michael D'Orazio (Richmond Hill, ON) and Beyers, with his second point, provided assists.

Cole Cheveldave (Calgary, AB) made 31 saves for the Huskies in the win, while X-Men freshman goaltender Brandon Hope (Canton, MI) turned aside 20 shots in the loss.

The X-Men return to pre-season action Friday, Sept. 25, when they host the Waterloo Warriors at the Pictou County Wellness Centre in New Glasgow.

Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.

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