Fredericton (CIS) - Rookie centre Blake Robson scored ten minutes and 17 seconds into the second overtime period to give the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men a 3-2 win over the UNB Varsity Reds in the 2004 University Cup final. The second-seeded X-Men, finalists last year and in 2001, claim the first CIS men's hockey championship in school history.
"After losing in double overtime to UQTR in 2001 and again to them last year, it's nice to see the hockey Gods smile to us and give one back," said StFX head coach Danny Flynn.
"Our guys are heart-broken obviously," commented UNB bench boss Gardiner MacDougall. But they will remember tonight's game and last night's against Alberta for the rest of their lives. This is a tremendous showcase for CIS hockey."
Championship info: www.cisport.ca/e/championships/m_hockey/2004
Robson, who had been penalized for high-sticking at the 8:10 mark of the second extra time frame, was coming out of the box when defenceman Wes Jarvis (Ottawa) sent him flying at the red line. The Calgary native opted to shoot on a two on one and beat all-Canadian goalie Reg Bourcier high on the glove side, from 10 feet out.
"It's an unbelievable feeling to see all the guys so happy, especially those who'll be leaving the program after this season," commented Robson. I just shot the puck and prayed, and then everything got crazy."
StFX erased a 2-0 first-period deficit to claim the national title.
Fifth-year forward Todd Norman (Gowanstown, Ont.) tied the contest at 2-2 27 seconds into the third period, finishing off a tic-tac-toe passing play between Robson and team captain Patrick Granmaitre (Hull, Que.).
Centre Ryan Walsh (Orleans, Ont.), who finished the tournament with five points, scored the X-Men's first goal in the second frame. UNB got first period goals from defenceman Mike Dombkiewicz (Buffalo, NY), his third in three days, and freshman Denny Johnston (Rosetown, Sask.).
Rookie sensation Mike Mole (Moncton), named University Cup MVP, stopped 29 shots to earn his third victory of the weekend for the X-Men. He had posted shutouts in his two previous outings.
"It wouldn't be fun if it was easy," said the CIS all-rookie netminder, who allowed 10 goals in nine playoff games. I wasn't concern at 2-0 because we battled through adversity all year."
At the other end of the ice, Bourcier faced a barrage of 40 shots.
CHAMPIONSHIP MVP: Mike Mole, StFX
CHAMPIONSHIP ALL-STARS
Goalie: Mike Mole, StFX
Defenceman: Mike Martone, StFX
Defenceman: Craig Mahon, UNB
Forward: Ryan Wade, Alberta
Forward: Calvin Watson, UNB
Forward: Chris Stanley, Dalhousie
SCORING SUMMARY
1. UNB, Mike Dombkiewicz (C. Sinclair, R. Lindsay), 5:36
2. UNB, Denny Johnston (J. Hegberg, C. Watson), 10:49
Penalties - J. Hegberg (UNB), hooking, 8:08; J. Ferguson (UNB), interference, 19:51; R. Walsh (StFX), roughing, 20:00.
Second Period
3. StFX, Ryan Walsh (M. Smith, G. Power), 5:23
Penalties - C. Circelli (StFX), interference, 11:29; C. Perry (UNB), hooking, 16:13.
Third Period
4. StFX, Todd Norman (P. Grandmaitre, B. Robson), 0:27
Penalties - Craig Mahon (UNB), hooking, 2:08; J. Hegberg (UNB), roughing, 10:50; D. McMillan (StFX), cross-checking, 10:50.
First Overtime (10 minutes)
No scoring
Penalties - none.
Second Overtime (20 minutes)
5. StFX, Blake Robson (W. Jarvis), 10:17
Penalties - B. Robson (StFX), high-sticking, 8:10.
SHOTS ON GOAL (by period - total):
StFX: 13-8-8-8-3 (40)
UNB: 11-2-9-6-3 (31)
GOALKEEPERS (shots-saves):
StFX: Mike Mole (W 3-0, 31-29; 80:17)
UNB: Reg Bourcier (L 2-1, 40-37; 80:17)
POWER PLAYS (goals-chances):
StFX: (0-4)
UNB: (0-3)
GAME MVPs:
StFX: Blake Ro