Murray Scores OT Winner For UNB

(ANTIGONISH, NS) In a battle of top-10 teams in the CIS, the UNB Varsity Reds skated to a 3-2 overtime victory over the St. FX X-Men, on Saturday night.

With the victory, the Varsity Reds pulled ahead of the X-Men in the standings, taking over sole possession of second place in the AUS.

Defenseman Jordan Murray notched the winner at the 4:22 mark of the sudden-death extra session.

Philippe Halley gained the X-Men zone off the rush and maintained puck possession. Halley found Murray just inside the blue line, who scored on a low shot through a screen.

In a fast-paced first period, the X-Men opened the scoring at the 12:52 mark, when Eric Locke forced a turnover deep in the UNB zone. His pass found Holden Cook, who beat Varsity Reds' goaltender Etienne Marcoux with a quick snap shot.

UNB responded just 26 seconds later, when Francis Beauvillier streaked down the left wing and beat X-Men goaltender Drew Owsley five-hole with a sharp-angled attempt.

The see-saw nature of the game continued as St. FX went up 2-1.

Locke forced another turnover and again fed Cook, who scored his second of the game.

With barely a second left in the first period, Taylor MacDougall made tied it 2-2 on a sharp angle shot.   

Marcoux turned aside 36 shots for the win, while Owsley made 39 saves in the loss.

The Subway Player of the Game and first star was Murray, while Owsley and Cook collected second and third stars, respectively.

Both teams will be back in action Friday, with the Varsity Reds visiting Halifax to face the Saint Mary's Huskies. The X-Men will be in Moncton to face Les Aigles Bleus.

Puck drop for both games is scheduled for 7:00PM.

RECAP AND PHOTO BY St. FX ATHLETICS