VReds Down X-Men

(FREDERICTON, NB) In a game between two staunch rivals… the UNB Varsity Reds scored first and often, on route to a 6-2 win over the St. FX X-Men.

Chris Caissy's power-play goal 3:58 into the game was the first of four first period goals for UNB.

"That was the biggest game of the year, so far, for us," said Caissy. "They took one from us in the first half(of the season), so we had this one circled. We're glad we got the win tonight."

Tyler Carroll and Stephen Anderson added goals before Caissy fired his second of the evening.

Rob Mignardi and Philippe Halley, with a short-handed goal, also scored for the Varsity Reds.

Michael Clarke and Holden Cook scored for the X-Men.

"You can't spot anybody a 4-0 lead in our league, let alone in a game like this," said X-Men head coach Brad Peddle. "They capitalized on some early chances and that's not to blame our goalie at all, they just had some really good chances that they capitalized on."

The two teams combined for 188 minutes in penalties.

Peddle believes it didn't have to be that way. "I thought it got out of control. I thought it should've been nipped early and it wasn't." He says the Varsity Reds weren't gracious winners. "There's a way to win and a way to lose. For us, we're down five goals and our guys are having to listen to guys laugh and chirp our bench and things like this, so why should they not stand up for themselves… and I'm okay with that."

When informed of Peddle's feelings, Varsity Reds head coach Gardiner MacDougall was succinct. "We've been on the short end. That sometimes happens, but we've just got to get our team ready for next weekend, it's a huge weekend on the road."

UNB and St. FX meet again, next Saturday, in Antigonish.

The win improves UNB's record to 12-3-and-2, good for a share of second place, along with the X-Men, in the AUS standings.

Before meeting X again, the Varsity Reds face the Dalhousie Tigers, Friday, in Halifax.