WOLFVILLE, N.S. – After a prolonged wait – and without the usual deafening fanfare – the Acadia Axemen returned to the Andrew H. McCain Arena for the first time in roughly a year to face off against the Dalhousie Tigers in a 5-3 win.
Despite falling down 2-0 in the first period and a late push from the Tigers, Acadia used their three unanswered goals in the second and beginning of the third to get their first win of 2021.
The Axemen first hit the ice in a 6-4 loss to the Saint Mary’s Huskies. This game is part of an exhibition series between the Axemen, the Tigers, and the Huskies.
The Tigers kicked off the scoring early, taking a 1-0 lead twenty seconds into the period on a goal from Chandler Yakimowicz.
Yakimowicz scored on a controversial play, as defenceman Christian Huntley threw a puck on net after appearing to step offside. Huntley’s shot came to Yakimowicz in front of the net and he tapped it in to make it 1-0.
Dalhousie doubled their lead at 10:22 in the first, when Matt Green notched a power-play marker. Green came into the offensive zone with a burst of speed, took a pass from Campbell Pickard and ripped a shot into the top right corner to make it 2-0.
The Tigers took their 2-0 lead into the second period, while leading in shots 9-7.
The second period saw the Axemen tie the game on goals from two rookies.Read more »
HALIFAX, NS — The Saint Mary’s Huskies got goals from six different players and new goaltender Matthew Welsh (Halifax, NS) made 22 saves in his AUS debut to knock off the high-powered Acadia Axemen 6-4 in exhibition play at the Dauphinee Centre on Friday night.
It was the first game that either team had played in nearly a full calendar year – as the AUS season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The recent alleviation of some restrictions by the Nova Scotia government afforded Saint Mary’s the opportunity to host this exhibition – which felt like anything but.
The first period saw a mostly choppy affair as both teams attempted work off the 11 months of “rink rust” and get adjusted to playing at higher pace. After an extended stretch of scoreless play – which saw SMU kill off a penalty – Keith Getson (Bridgewater, NS) took a cross-seam pass from new captain Alexander Peters (Blyth, ONT) and one-timed a shot over the trapper of Acadia netminder Logan Flodell (Regina, SK) to break the deadlock. Huskies newcomer Cedric Ralph (Peterborough, ONT) also drew a secondary assist on the goal.
Late in the frame, the Huskies would take another penalty, and on the ensuing penalty kill, SMU goaltender Matthew Welsh had to stand tall and make two or three sensational saves in tight to maintain the Huskies lead.
The second stanza was an offensive tug-of-war as both teams traded scoring opportunities and goals. Acadia drew even early in the period after a fabulous passing play which saw Mason McCarty (Blackie, Alta) feed Johnny Corneil (Lindsay, ONT) who converted to make it 1-1. Shortly thereafter, Saint Mary’s took a delay of game penalty which enabled the Axemen to take the lead off a deft tip-in by Rodney Southam (Saskatoon, SK) to make it 2-1 visitors.
The Huskies then had a golden opportunity to knot it up with two Axemen in the box – but failed to convert. However, not long after the penalties expired, SMU would strike on a nice cross-crease feed from Bradey Johnson (Lindsay, ONT) to Logan DeNoble (Peterborough, ONT) to square things at two.
Last season’s Rookie of the Year – and SMU’s leading scorer – Mitchell Balmas (Sydney, NS) got a fortunate bounce as his cross-crease feed for Cedric Ralph (Peterborough, ONT) hit a skate and slid by Flodell’s pad to make it 3-2 Huskies.
However, just nine seconds later – off of the ensuing faceoff – Acadia would draw even when Rodney Southam would score his second of the frame into an empty cage after Matthew Welsh was caught out of position after a great bit of patience by Eric Henderson (Kingsville, ONT) who then dished out front to an open Southam.
Tied at three going into the third period, the Huskies attempted to apply the pressure to the Axemen – which resulted in several Acadia icings in the early going of the closing 20. Eventually, the pressure paid dividends as defenceman Walter Flower (Lunenburg, NS) hammered a shot from the point and forward Jake Durham (Port Perry, ONT) poked home the loose change to put the Huskies up 4-3.
About six minutes later, the Huskies would take their first two goal lead of the game when Joel Bishop (St. John’s, NFLD) picked off an errant Acadia pass and went in all alone on Flodell – and deked out the netminder for a highlight-reel goal.
Just 26 seconds later, the Axemen would close the deficit to one when Cristiano Digiacinto (Hamilton, ONT) caught Welsh out of position and tucked home a wrap-around to make it 5-4.
But that’s as close as the Axemen would get on this night – as Cedric Ralph directed in a cross-seam pass from Getson to make it 6-4 with less than five minutes left in regulation.
Both teams now prepare for next week’s University Cup
FREDERICTON, NB – The UNB Reds are the 2020 Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey champions after defeating the Acadia Axemen 5-1 in game three of the best of three championship series.
Alexandre Goulet (Disraeli, QC) scored three goals to lead the Reds in a 5-1 win over the Acadia Axemen on Friday, in the third and deciding game of their AUS championship series.
The game was played before a sell-out crowd of 3374 at UNB’s Aitken Centre.
Goulet was named the Subway Player of the Game, while Reds goaltender Samuel Harvey (Alma, QC) was named the most valuable player of the AUS playoffs.
Friday’s game began with both teams playing a close, tight-checking game.
They played a scoreless first period, but the capacity crowd didn’t have to wait long for a goal in the second period.
Oliver Cooper (Fredericton, NB) fired a quick shot from the slot that beat Axemen goalie Logan Flodell (Regina, SK) at the 2:51 mark.
UNB’s Mark Rassell (Calgary, AB) started the play, rushing the puck in on a partial breakaway, but firing the puck over the Acadia next. The Reds gained possession of the loose puck in the corner, before working it in front to Cooper.
Third and deciding game goes Friday night in Fredericton
WOLFVILLE N.S. – The University of New Brunswick Reds forced a game three to decide the AUS Championship with a 6-0 win over the Acadia Axemen, backstopped by a solid performance from Samuel Harvey in goal.
Cristiano Digiacinto noted that the bounces didn’t go their way in tonight’s game.
“I felt we came out and did what we had to do, had a couple of unlucky bounces that didn’t go our way and we really kept it going. The second period was completely ours. I felt we were in their end the whole time. It’s just unfortunate the bounces didn’t go our way.”
The Reds were first to get the lead in a must-win game for them. Samuel Dove-McFalls capitalized on his chance after a strong net drive from Stephen Anderson resulted in the open net opportunity for Dove-McFalls. The goal was also assisted by Patrick Watling and came just shy of four minutes into the opening period.
UNB struck again with 7:32 remaining in the first. Forward Mark Rassell doubled the Reds’ lead after the Axemen goaltender had trouble controlling the rebound of Matt Boucher’s shot, and Rassell slid the loose puck underneath Flodell from the edge of the crease. The goal came just a second after concluding a powerplay and was also assisted by Matt Murphy.
The Reds led 2-0 after the first period of play.Read more »
FREDERICTON, NB – The Acadia Axemen scored a pair of first period goals on route to a 3-1 win over the UNB Reds, in Fredericton, on Monday, in game one of the Subway Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey championship series.
Rodney Southam (Saskatoon, SK) scored the eventual winner, short-handed, at 15:10 of the first period, and Logan Flodell (Regina, SK) stopped 52 of 53 shots to earn the win in net.
Flodell was named the Subway Player of the Game.
“I think our mindset was just to throw everything at them,” said Flodell. “I think that worked out for us and we found a way to win. That’s what good hockey teams have to do. That’s a good hockey team over there. They’re working hard, they’re here for a reason and we’ve got to keep it going.“
The visitors opened the scoring, at the 5:53 mark of the first period.
Stephen Harper (Burlington, ON) broke into the Reds zone and put a shot on Reds goalie Samuel Harvey (Alma, QC).
Harvey made the save, but the rebound went right to Cristiano Digiacinto (Hamilton, ON)and he made no mistake, putting the Axemen up 1-0.
Southam’s goal, about nine minutes later, made it 2-0 Acadia after one period.
Acadia now looks to close out series on Tuesday night
HALIFAX, N.S. – The Saint Mary’s University Huskies men’s hockey team staved off semifinal elimination with a 6-2 win over the Acadia Axemen. The Axemen headed into the game up two games to none in the series, but home-ice advantage worked in the Huskies favor as their playoff hopes stay alive for at least one more game.
The Huskies opened the scoring less than three minutes into the period after a flurry of shot attempts. After a wrist shot from the point, Keith Getson (Bridgewater, NS) grabbed the rebound, but goalie Logan Flodell (Regina, SK) made a nice stop. Joel Bishop (St. John’s, NL) got the puck, however, and passed it to Dawson Theede (Brooklin, ON) who put it over Flodell and into the net.
Halfway through the period, Bishop fought to carry the puck into Acadia’s zone. He was taken down near the corner, but got the puck to Noah Zilbert (Fredericton, NB), who threaded it through the slot to Stephen Johnson (Moncton, NB). Johnson got the puck to the net before Flodell could come across to stop it, making it 2-0 for the Huskies.
In the second half of the period, the Axemen had some sustained pressure, forcing the Huskies to ice the puck several times. Acadia got 14 shots on net in the first period, but the bulk of scoring opportunities belonged to the Huskies. Acadia’s best chance came midway through the period when a one-timer from Loch Morrison (Christopher Lake, SK) rang off the post.
Saint Mary’s extended their lead, however, with four and a half minutes to go. A shot from the point from Sam Dunn (Hamilton Township, ON) was redirected by Zilbert. Flodell made the initial save but Sam King (Hampton, NB) put the rebound home.
Conor McGlynn added another tally for the Huskies with just over a minute left in the period. Picking up a bouncing puck in the neutral zone, he rushed down the left-wing and fired a slap shot top corner.
On the next play, Acadia had a good scoring chance on a three on two, but goalie Eric Brassard (St. Hubert, QC) was solid and kept them off the board.
The Huskies led 4-0 heading into the second period.
Special teams made the second period an exciting one. Early on, over a minute of four on four hockey led to end-to-end chances. Midway through the period, Acadia had a five on three advantage. Their good puck movement caused the Huskies to scramble a few times, but the penalties ended with no scoring.
WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The Acadia Axemen hockey team take a 2-0 lead in the AUS best of five semifinal series on a 5-2 win over the visiting Saint Mary’s Huskies.
Cristiano Digiacinto picked up two goals and two assists in the Axemen win over the Huskies and was named the Subway Player of the Game.
“Playing our game and not worrying about the other team. If we do what we do best, we are going to win games. I think if we keep doing what we do and sticking to our game plan is something that is going to make us successful throughout the playoffs and leading into the Nationals,” said Digiacinto following the game.
A repeat of game one between the Axemen and Huskies, the opening period was scoreless.
Digiacinto opened the six goal second period on a deflected Ross MacDougall shot from the high slot to give the Axemen a 1-0 lead at the 5:06 mark of the second frame on the powerplay.
The Huskies tied the game four minutes later after the Axemen coughed up the puck in their own end. Anthony Repaci fed Dawson Theede across the crease for the first of two Huskie powerplay goals in the second period.
Senior forward Stephen Harper replied at 13:26 of the second frame with another Acadia powerplay goal to give the Axemen a 2-1 lead that would last only three minutes.
Saint Mary’s scored their second goal with the man-advantage when Dawson Theede’s wide shot went off the end boards and came out to Alex Peters who sent a high blocker side shot over Logan Flodell’s shoulder.Read more »
WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The unranked Acadia Axemen opened the best of five semifinal series with a 4-1 win over the U SPORTS No. 9 ranked Saint Mary’s Huskies.
Axeman Logan Flodell was named the Subway Player of the Game stopping 33 of 34 shots for the win. Flodell was recently named the AUS Most Valuable Player by the AUS head coaches.
Flodell praised the effort by his defensive unit during a hard-fought game against the Huskies.
“Our D worked on picking up sticks around the net. That’s what they wanted to do was throw pucks around my feet and get rebounds and they did that pretty well tonight and our defense battled hard,” noted Flodell following the game.
The opening period was scoreless with the Huskies out-shooting the host Axemen 11-5, but the game opened up after five and half minutes into the second frame.
Third-year forward Cristiano Digiacinto scored the series-opening goal after tapping in a pass across the crease from teammate Tate Olson.
The Axemen pushed the lead to 2-0 on a Mason McCarty goal a minute and eighteen seconds later. McCarty picked up the loose puck in front of the Huskies’ net after a feed from Owen MacDonald.
The Huskies cut the lead in half on a late second period goal when Joel Bishop picked up a turned over puck on a misplay behind the net.Read more »
Antigonish, NS – The StFX X-Men closed out AUS regular season play with a 5-2 victory over the Acadia Axemen Saturday night at the Charles V. Keating Centre.
The X-Men scored three power play goals in the game as the held leads of 3-0 after one and 4-1 after two periods.
Acadia went on the penalty kill 23 seconds into the game and the X-Men took advantage as Santino Centorame (Mississauga, ON)) scored at 1:27 on the man-advantage. He beat Axemen netminder Dawson Carty (St. Stephen, NB) on a shot from the face-off circle.
Adam Laishram (Ashburn, ON) scored five minutes later, again on the power play, on a nice shot off a feed from Adam Holwell (St. John’s, NL).
Bryson Cianfrone (Stoney Creek, ON) rounded out the first period scoring with a goal at 16:54 as he put the puck into the open side of the Acadia net, pouncing on a Holwell rebound.
The X-Men outshot the Axemen 15-3 in the opening period.
The visitors responded in the second period as Stephen Harper (Burlington, ON) tallied just over six minutes in, putting in a rebound as the puck bounced around the X crease in front of goaltender Blade Mann-Dixon (Antigonish, NS).
The X-Men regained their three-goal lead on a power play goal by Regan Spears (Port Hood, NS) as he netted a rebound after Carty made the save on a Matt Needham (Kamloops, BC) shot.
StFX outshot Acadia 10-7 in the second period and took the 4-1 lead into the locker room after 40 minutes.
Marc McNulty (Medicine Hat, AB) closed the gap when he scored for the Axemen just 18 seconds into the third period. Harper won the face-off in the X zone, circled behind the net and got it out front to the open McNulty who beat Mann-Dixon.Read more »
WOLFVILLE N.S. – The Acadia Axemen’s Senior Night and final home game of the season proved to be a fruitful one, as they came away victorious over the visiting Dalhousie Tigers Friday night.
“We made a couple of blunders. A couple of mistakes we haven’t been making and they scored. We did play better in the last 10 minutes which was nice to see. Overall we put in a pretty good effort, sometimes near the end of the season it’s a little tougher with the grind that goes on, but we’re pretty pleased the way we performed,” said assistant coach Mike Alcoe following the win.
With 5:24 remaining in the first, Acadia found the back of the net. Axemen forward Maurizio Colella parked himself in front of goal and deflected in a Liam Maskaant point shot to put Acadia ahead 1-0 on the powerplay. Ross MacDougall also assisted.
The Axemen were not done there. Just 1:12 later, Owen MacDonald buried his 10th of the season after capitalizing on a Dalhousie turnover with a perfect wrister over the blocker of Dalhousie goaltender Kevin Resop and under the bar, popping the water bottle on its way in.
The teams headed to the dressing rooms after 20 minutes with Acadia leading 2-0.
At the 6:35 mark of the second period, Acadia defenceman Ross MacDougall added a goal to his points tally for the evening with a slapshot from the tops of the circles that found its’ way through the scrambling Tiger’s goalie. The goal was assisted by Stephen Harper and TJ Fergus.
Though both teams had scoring opportunities throughout the remainder of the period, neither squad could beat the oppositions netminder and score remained 3-0 for the Axemen after two.Read more »
