Axemen hold onto 2-1 win over Panthers
Steeves stars in goal, Lepkowski nets winner
WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Acadia didn’t have a lot of opportunities in the game, but they made the few they had count.
The Axemen scored twice on just 13 shots on goal, with Remy Giftopoulos and Alexander Lepkowski leading the way with a goal each in a 2-1 victory over the UPEI Panthers Friday night.
Down two heading into the final period, the Panthers outplayed their opponent and trimmed it to a single goal on RT Rice’s sixth goal of the season. But goaltender Robert Steeves was too much for the home team to overcome.
“I’m really happy for him,” said Axemen head coach Darren Burns of Steeves. “He’s had a big year for us and our guys love playing in front of him.”
Steeves recorded 25 saves on 26 shots, including 10 in the decisive final period, guiding Acadia (15-7-1) to their eighth win in their last 10 games.
Coming into the game, Steeves split playing time with freshman Devin Williams. But after Friday’s performance, the third-year netminder might see more action between the pipes. In 12 games, Steeves owns a 9-3 record with a 2.17 goals against average and a .920 save percentage.
“He’s worked hard and he’s a great teammate,” Burns said. “He’s had a great season for us and we need him to keep doing that.”
The intensity was high, with both teams looking to get back in the win column. Shots on net were scarce as the defences played disciplined and didn’t give up many open looks.
That lasted until the midway point when Giftopoulos opened the scoring. From the side of the net, he corralled a bouncing puck with his stick and buried it past a diving Matt Mahalak for the early advantage. Read more »