(ANTIGONISH, NS) In a battle of the top-ranked teamS in U Sports hockey, the visiting UNB Varsity Reds skated to a 7-3 victory over the StFX X-Men, Friday night.

The Varsity Reds jumped out to a 3-0 advantage, after the first period, on goals by Philippe Halley(Quebec City, QC), captain Cam Critchlow(Summerside, PE) and Philippe Maillet(Terrebonne, QC).

At 4:30, Halley re-directed a point shot from defenseman Jordan Murray(Riverview, NB), which beat a screened Chase Marchand(Halifax, NS).

At 13:56, the Varsity Reds doubled their edge when defenseman Matt Petgrave(Brampton, ON) put a shot on Marchand which was deflected by Critchlow from the lip of the crease. The X-Men freshman got a piece of the re-direction, but he could not keep it from trickling over the goal line.

On a late power play, with nine second remaining, Maillet beat Marchand glove side with a blistering shot.

At 17:06 of the second period, on the power play, Max Iafrate(Livonia, MICH.) was the first X skater to beat Etienne Marcoux(Terrebonne, QC), rifling a stick-side shot, just inside the goal post.

But, with just 19 seconds on the clock, and UNB on the power-play, Randy Gazzola(Thorold, ON) found the back of the net, with a wrist shot.

Early in the third period, the Varsity Reds took a 5-1 lead on a power play goal from Petgrave.

Mark Simpson(Fredericton, NB) and Cam Brace(Markham, ON) would add goals for UNB.

Michael Clarke(London, ON) and Aaron Hoyles(Gander, NL) would score for the X-Men.

Marcoux made 22 saves for the win, while Marchand turned aside 35 shots in the loss.

The Subway Player of the Game and first star was Gazzola.

Both teams will be back on the ice Saturday.

The Varsity Reds visit Dalhousie, for a 7:00PM faceoff.

The X-Men host UPEI.

RECAP AND PHOTOS BY: St. FX Athletics