Panthers lose to host X-Men

Clarke nets pair of goals to lead St. FX squad

Michael Clarke scored twice as the St. FX X-Men beat the UPEI Panthers 5-2 Friday in Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey action in Antigonish.

Nathan Chiarlitti, Brent Turnbull and Mark Tremaine also scored in the win for the host X-Men.

Cole MacMillan and Beni Berisha shorthanded replied for the Panthers while captain Mason Wilgosh and Nelson Armstrong each had assists.

Berisha’s goal made it 3-2 X-Men midway through the second period, but Chiarlitti scored shorthanded with 2:36 left in the period. Clarke rounded out the scoring on the power play with 61 seconds remaining in the contest.

Brandon Hope stopped 22 shots for the win while Matt Mahalak made 32 saves in the loss.

The X-Men improved to 133-2 while the Panthers drop to 9-7-2.

UPEI visits Dalhousie tonight for a 7 p.m. contest with the Tigers (4-11-3).