CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The St. FX X-Men scored four second period goals Tuesday to defeat the host UPEI Panthers and gain a crucial two points in the Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey standings.
Regan Spears had two goals and an assist while teammate Matthew Graham had a goal and two helpers in the victory. Cole MacDonald and former Charlottetown Islanders forward Will Bower also scored. Nathan Pancel had two assists while singles went to Mark Tremaine, Matt Needham, Adam Stevens and Anthony Difruscia.
Cody Payne from Filip Rydstrom gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead midway through the first period. The lead held up until Spears scored six minutes into the middle stanza and MacDonald gave the visitors the lead with a power-play goal two minutes later.
Former Isles goalie Blade Mann-Dixon made 22 saves for the win while Simon Hofley allowed five goals on 21 shots.
With the win, St. FX (12-9-3) pulled ahead of UPEI and into a third-place tie with Moncton (12-9-3) while UPEI (11-10-3) is fifth. The Panthers have lost three straight games.
UPEI hits the road this weekend for games at St. FX Friday and Dalhousie on Saturday.