Axemen route Tommies 12-2

Acadia moves into first place in the AUS

The Axemen flexed their offensive might on Saturday night, as they routed the STU Tommies (1-11-1) by a score of 12-2. The win was Acadia’s 4th straight victory, and coupled with a StFX loss, moved the Axemen (10-2-1) into first place in the AUS division; a single point ahead of both the X-Men and UNB.

The goals came fast and furious with Brett Thompson scoring just 50 seconds into the opening frame, and just 55 seconds later, Zach Franko made it 2-0. Mike Cazzola wristed a shot to the top corner behind Tommies starter Tyson Teichmann to make it 3-0. With Axemen defenceman, Liam Maaskant off for roughing, Travis Randell scored shorthanded, his second goal of the year, ending the scoring in the opening period.

St. Thomas came out in the 2nd peroid and got on the board when Rankyn Campbell banked a shot off of Axemen netminder Robert Steeves to cut the lead to 4-1. But Acadia extinguished any hope for the Tommies, scoring 5 straight goals, including Remy Giftopoulos, Michael Clarke, Daniel Pettersson, Mike Cazzola, & Brett Thompson added goals. It was Cazzola’s 2nd of the night and 8th of the year and Thompson’s second of the night and 6th on the season. Thompson’s goal was a powerplay marker. St. Thomas ended the period scoring, as Eric Diodati made it 9-2.

The third period saw the Axemen add three more to the scoreboard as Dylan Anderson scored his 4th on the year at 1:55, Boston Leier added his team leading 8th goal of the season, at 3 minutes, and rounding out the goals was Zach Franko scoring on a breakaway, his second marker of the game, and 5th of the season.

Robert Steeves picked up the win for Acadia, stopping 20 of 22 shots, while Tyson Teichmann took the loss for STU, stopping 18 of the 24 shots he faced, while backup Luke Lee-Knight stopped 8 of 14. Acadia outshot STU 38-22. The Axemen were 1 for 3 on the powerplay, while STU was 0 for 5.

All but one Axemen were credited with at least a point in the win, just Sam Fioretti was kept off the score sheet. Four Axemen notched 4 points, including Zachery Franko, Remy Giftopoulos, Mike Cazzola, and Brett Thompson. See the complete game boxscore here.

The Axemen now head home for the final two games prior to the study and holiday break. They will face the Saint Mary’s Huskies on Wednesday night, and the Dalhousie Tigers on Friday night. Friday night’s game will be a part of the Rogers Sportsnet Hometown Hockey Tour which will take place all weekend in Wolfville. Check out all of the event details here!