CIS No. 7 Axemen take OTSO win over No. 1 UNB

Franko with SO winner, Glover stars in goal

(FREDERICTON, NB) It took a shootout goal to do it, but the CIS No. 7 ranked Acadia Axemen did what no other team has been able to do so far this season… beat the CIS top-ranked UNB Varsity Reds. The win is the Axemen’s second defeat of a CIS Top 10 team after last weekend’s win over then third ranked Saint Mary’s.

Zach Franko’s goal, in the third round of the shootout, was the winner.

“Whenever we see UNB on the schedule, it’s a little more incentive to bring our “A” game, ” said Franko. “I’ve had some success, in shootouts, with deking, a little bit, so I think that played a part in it and fortunately, it went in.”

The two teams looked to be skating toward a scoreless first period when UNB’s Cameron Brace capitalized on a neutral zone turnover. With 58 seconds left in the period, Brace snapped a wrist-shot over the blocker of Axemen netminder Brandon Glover, giving the VReds a 1-0 lead.

Acadia took the lead in the second period, scoring twice.

Travis Randell scored an even-strength goal at 7:55 of the second, before Brett Thompson’s power-play marker less than two minutes later.

Then, with just 24 seconds left in the period, Varsity Reds captain Cam Critchlow jumped on a puck lying in the crease, pushing it past Glover to tie the game 2-2.

There were opportunities for both sides in the third, but neither team was able to capitalize.

UNB had a wonderful chance late in the overtime, but came up empty-handed.

Brace, Chris Caissy and Philippe Maillet all failed in their shootout attempts before Franko won it for the Axemen.

UNB outshot Acadia 43-25 with the Axemen capitalizing on their opportunities.

The Varsity Reds return to action Saturday, when they host the Saint Mary’s University Huskies, while the Axemen head to the Island to take on the UPEI Panthers.