Panthers defeat X-Men on late third period goal

ANTIGONISH, NS - The UPEI Panthers skated away with a hard fought 4-3 win over the STFX X-Men on Saturday night at the Charles V Keating Centre. First star and Player of the Game Ben McFarlane (Ayr, ON) scored twice in the third period for the Panthers, including the game tying and game winning goals.  

UPEI leading scorer and second star of the game Kaleb Pearson (St. Mary's ON) put the visitors out front eight minutes into the match, snapping home a shot from the doorstep after breaking in on a two-on-one with Robert Orr (Beaconsfield, QC), who assisted along with Patrick LeBlanc (Sainte-Marie-du-Kent, NB).

Pearson tallied his fifth goal of the season four minutes later, diving at a loose puck to put it over the line while on the powerplay. Orr and Zach Biggar (Coleman, PE) assisted.  

The X-Men got on the scoreboard midway through the second period, as Ethan Burroughs netted his fifth goal of the season, one-timing a shot off a nifty passing play from Charlie Callaghan (Toronto, ON) and Zack Trott (Mulmur, ON) while on the powerplay.  

Third star of the game Shawn Spearing (Toronto, ON) scored his first goal for the Blue and White three minutes later, wiring a shot from the point that bounced in off the post, tying the game at 2-2. Burroughs and Dallas Farrell (Cardigan, PE) assisted.  

Panther goalie Joe Ranger (Carp, ON) made a pair of big cross-crease saves early in the period to keep the game tied. However, STFX pulled ahead with eight minutes to go, as Ben Mercer (Halifax, NS) got the last stick to a puck in the crease after a point shot from Sean Stewart (Antigonish, NS), with Ryan Struthers (Milton, ON) getting the other assist.  

MacFarlane tied it back up for the Panthers two minutes later, tipping in an Elias Cohen (Toronto, ON) point shot after Brett Bresette (Penetanguishene, ON) won the draw in the STFX end.

MacFarlane added the game winner with just under two minutes to play while shorthanded, sniping one high from the low slot after Keiran Gallant (Covehead, PE) dug the puck out of the corner.  

STFX goalie Patrick Leaver (Perth, ON) had 24 saves on the night, while Ranger had 19 in relief of Jakob Robillard (Rockland, ON), who made 13 stops.   

The X-Men return to action next Friday, November 15, when they host the Moncton Aigles Bleus at 7 p.m. The Panthers will welcome the Saint Mary's Huskies on Wednesday, November 13, at 7 p.m.  

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics