(FREDERICTON, NB) Chris Clapperton (Cap d'Espoir, QC) scored once and assisted on three other goals as the UNB Reds routed the visiting St FX X-Men 8-1 on Friday.
The X-Men kept the game close in the first period, down only 1-0 after 20 minutes. But the game slipped away from X during the second, when they conceded four UNB goals.
The X-Men started quickly, registering a great scoring opportunity in the first minute of play, but Reds goaltender Alex Dubeau (Mascouche, QC) was able to get a pad on the puck.
UNB's Alex Goulet (Disraeli, QC) showed great skill in moving through three X-Men before getting a shot on Chase Marchand (Halifax, NS). Marchand made the save.
Play went back and forth during the period until Tyler Boland (St. John's, NL) opened the scoring at 17:22.
Just past the six-minute mark of the second, Clapperton tucked a shot under the crossbar and behind Marchand, giving UNB a 2-0 lead. That goal sparked the Reds.
Matt Boucher (Los Angeles, CA), Mark Simpson (Rothesay, NB), and Boland, with his second, scored in a span of 1:23, chasing Marchand from the St FX net. Blade Mann-Dixon (Antigonish, NS) came on in relief.
The onslaught continued in the third period, as Kris Bennett (Brampton, ON) and Boucher, with his second, extended UNB's lead to 7-0.
Matt Needham (Penticton, BC) spoiled Dubeau's shut-out bid with a goal at 16:18 of the third period.
Oliver Cooper (Fredericton, NB) made it 8-1 with less than two minutes to play.
Bennett finish the night with a goal and two assists. Cam Brace (Etobicoke, ON) had three assists, while Randy Gazzola (Thorold, ON), Olivier LeBlanc (Quebec City, QC), and Stephen Anderson (Morell, PE) each had two assists.
The Reds outshot X 55-19.
UNB is now 9-0-2 to start the season, while the X-Men see their record dip to 7-3-2.
The Reds will remain at home and host Dalhousie on Saturday. Game time is 7:00pm.
St FX visits Charlottetown, for a Saturday date with the UPEI Panthers.
RECAP BY: Lauren Kelly/for UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics