DURHAM, N.H. – Danny Battochio recorded 53 saves, including 21 in the third period, to lead the St. Francis Xavier hockey team to Saturday night’s 3-2 victory against 10th-ranked University of New Hampshire in an exhibition game at the Whittemore Center.

Following a scoreless first period in which UNH recorded a 15-6 shot advantage, both teams scored a goal in the second stanza. The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead at 7:11 when Mike Radja (Yorkville, Ill.) scored off a rebound at the right post. Brett Hemingway (Surrey, B.C.), whose initial shot from close range was stopped by Battochio, and Jacob Miclfikier were credited with assists.

The X-Men’s Jeff Caron, with a screened shot from the left point, tied the score 1-1 on a power-play goal at 19:12. Tyler Dyck, with the pass across the blue line, and Ryan Salvis set up the tally.

UNH began the third period on the power play and Hemingway’s screened shot from the left point hit the back of the net to put the ‘Cats back in front 2-1 at :25. Jacob Micflikier (Winnipeg, Manitoba) made the pass from the slot to Hemingway to earn an assist.

SFX netted its second power-play goal of the night at 3:25. Caron’s shot from the left point was redirected in front of the net by Chris Hulit to tie the game. Salvis recorded his second assist of the night on the play.

The X-Men took their first lead of the game, 3-2, on Jeremy Akeson’s power-play tally at 11:39, just nine seconds after a UNH skater was whistled for charging. Dyck and Salvis set up the tally as SFX went 3-for-10 on the power play vs. the ‘Cats.

UNH called time out with 56.2 seconds remaining and pulled goaltender Kevin Regan (South Boston, Mass.; 22 saves) as the ‘Cats had 18 seconds left on a power play. The Wildcats pressured in the final minute but could not get an equalizer past Battochio.

UNH returns to action Oct. 15 (7 p.m.) at the Whittemore Center for an exhibition game against the U.S. Under-18 National Team. The Wildcats open the regular season Oct. 20-21 at Colorado College.