Antigonish, NS - The STFX X Men took the win in their first home game of the season, dropping the Dalhousie Tigers 9-3 on Wednesday night at the Keating Centre. It was the second win in a row for the X Men, who are fourth in the U SPORTS national rankings.

The X-Men were led by a 14 point performance from the top line of Liam Hawel (3G, 3A), Jacob Hudson (2G, 2A) and Matthew Philip (1G, 3A), who were also named the three stars of the game.

STFX got on the board early, with Liam Hawel (Arnprior, ON) notching the first marker of the game with 1:44 gone in the opening stanza. Dallas Farrell (Cardigan, PE) added a powerplay parker just over two minutes later, with assists coming from Jacob Stewart (Antigonish, NS) and Brendan Clavelle (Kapuskasing, ON).

The X-Men added another just before the halfway mark of the period, with Josh Nelson (Lockport, IL) finding the top corner on a one-timer from Connor Roberts (Owen Sound, ON). Dalhousie head coach Chris Donnelly called a time out after the third goal to have a talk with his players.

With two minutes left, Hawel added another goal, this time on the power play, with the assist coming from Jacob Hudson (Antigonish, NS).

Following a quick break after a delayed finish to the first period due to a penalty box door malfunction, the teams switched ends and got back at it. It was a slower paced second period, until Hudson knocked one into the Tigers' net with over seven minutes gone. Matthew Phillip (Ilderton, ON) had the assist.

Dalhousie capitalized about halfway through a five-minute man advantage, with a pair of power play goals. Evan MacKinnon (Dartmouth, NS) scored with Jarrett Baker (Black Rock, NS) assisting, then the Tigers added another 15 seconds later, with Christian Huntley (Halifax, NS) lighting the lamp. 

The X-Men replied with a powerplay marker of their own a few minutes later, when a shot from Patrick Kyte (Pembroke, ON) found the back of the net. Hawel and Hudson assisted. STFX kept up the pressure and were rewarded less than 30 seconds later, with Hudson scoring and Hawel assisting.

Subway player of the game Hawel sniped his third of the game mid-way through the third period for his natural hat trick, with Hudson and Phillip assisting. Baker got the Tigers on the board again in the third, with Brett Crossley (Dartmouth, NS) and Dillon Boucher (Head Chezzetcook, NS) assisting. X had the last word though, with Phillip scoring off another Hawel assist. 

Joseph Raaymakers (Chatham, ON) got the win in the net for the X-Men, stopping 25 of 28 shots, with Connor Hicks (Kanata, ON) and Alexander MacDonald (Truro, NS) sharing duties in net for Dalhousie. Shots at the end of the game were 47-28 in favour of STFX.

The X Men next take to the ice on Friday when they visit the UPEI Panthers. Dalhousie hosts UPEI on October 15.

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Sports Information

Liam Hawel picks up Subway Player of the Game honours with a hat trick and 3 assists in the X-Men's 9-3 victory over Dal tonight! #goxgo #SubwayFuel pic.twitter.com/3z7Zt7I6PR

— StFX Athletics (@StFXAthletics) October 13, 2022