Sydney, NS – The StFX X-Men officially clinched their spot in the upcoming AUS championship with a 2-0 shutout victory over the Cape Breton Capers Wednesday night.
Thomas Pieroway (Conception Bay, NF) earned the shutout win in nets for the X-Men with nine saves on the evening. Sam Keating took the loss for Cape Breton.
Two first half goals scored within 17 minutes apart were the difference in the game for StFX. Fifth year veteran midfielder Graeme Hodgkinson (Calgary, AB) opened the scoring with an unassisted goal in the 18th minute, then freshman midfielder Liam Elbourne (Halifax, NS) followed up with the second StFX goal in the 35th minute.
Kwabe Boateng was sent off for the Capers in the 44th minute with a red card leaving the team down a player.
Neither team could find the back of the net in the second half. X-Men defenseman Serge Dossou (Calgary, AB) left the in the 65th minute after being issued a red card.
With the win the X-Men improve to 6-3-3 on the season and sit in third place in the AUS standings. The Capers are second at 8-3-1 and have clinched a first round playoff bye.
There's one game remaining on the regular season prior to the AUS championship Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 at Memorial University in St. John's.
StFX will play at Dalhousie on Saturday, October 25th while Cape Breton will host UPEI on Sunday to close out regular season play.