Burroughs' hat trick powers X-Men past Panthers 6-1

By Thomas Becker

Ethan Burroughs and Dallas Farrell put on a clinic Friday night, combining for five goals and seven points as the St. FX X-Men overpowered the UPEI Panthers 6-1.

After falling short in their first two meetings this season, the X-Men (10-6-2) found their stride, capitalizing on key moments and leaning on a breakout performance from Burroughs, who notched his first Atlantic University Sport (AUS) hat trick. 

Despite the lopsided score, UPEI (5-11-1) often looked like the more dominant team, outshooting St. FX 31-19. However, the X-Men's ability to convert chances, coupled with solid goaltending from Patrick Leaver was the difference. 

The game's momentum shifted early, when Leaver made a spectacular diving save, denying Marc Richard's backhand attempt as he fell to the ice. Moments later, Burroughs capitalized in transition, ripping a shot from the high slot over goaltender Joe Ranger's blocker at 16:07 to give St. FX a 1-0 lead. 

The Panthers struck back early in the second period, tying the game just 37 seconds in. Kaleb Pearson found Brett Bressette in front of the net, where he tipped the puck past Leaver to even the score. 

However, the X-Men responded quickly and efficiently, scoring on their first two shots of the period. At 7:56, Connor Roberts orchestrated a 2-on-1 rush, setting up Maillet for an easy tap-in to regain the lead. Less than four minutes later, Farrell carried the puck through the neutral zone and fired a seemingly harmless shot that eluded Ranger, extending St. FX's lead to 3-1. 

A double minor boarding penalty assessed to UPEI's Cameron Morton late in the second gave St. FX another opportunity, and Burroughs made the Panthers pay. With 22 seconds left in the period, Raegan Wiles' shot from the point ricocheted off the end boards to Burroughs, who battled in front and slipped the puck past Ranger, making it 4-1 heading into the final frame.

Burroughs completed his hat trick on a power play at 5:42 of the third, redirecting Maillet's pass in front to push the lead to 5-1. Farrell sealed the win with his second goal at 12:56, finishing off a dominant performance. 

Leaver stood tall, stopping 30 of 31 shots, while Ranger made 13 saves in a tough outing.

The Panthers will look to bounce back on Saturday when they visit the Dalhousie Tigers in Halifax. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.

Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek