Category: Game Recaps

Special teams busy in CIS vs NCAA exhibition game

story from gonu.com BOSTON – No. 15 Northeastern men’s ice hockey received goals from three different scorers, along with a combined 22 saves from Ryan Ruck and Jake Theut, to help the Huskies to a 3-1 victory against Acadia in an exhibition contest on Saturday night at Matthews Arena.

Adam Gaudette, Trevor Owens and Eric Williams all scored for Northeastern, while Williams (one goal, one assist) and Garret Cockerill (two assists) recorded multi-point nights. Ruck made 13 saves through the first half of the game before Theut finished off with nine saves in just over 30 minutes of action.

Northeastern jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals from Gaudette and Owens less than four minutes apart in the first period to set the tone for the evening. Sam Fioretti would cut NU’s lead to one midway through the second period with a power play tally before Williams regained the Huskies’ two-goal cushion six minutes into the final frame.

NU outshot the Axemen 34-23 for the night and won 40-of-29 face-offs, led by an 18-of-27 performance form captain John Stevens. The teams would combine for 114 penalty minutes in a chippy affair, with 78 from Acadia and 36 from the Huskies.

Goal descriptions:
• Gaudette gave the Huskies a 1-0 lead with a four-on-four tally just 3:35 into the game. After Northeastern picked up a loose puck in the defensive zone, Garret Cockerill rimmed it around the boards up to Gaudette in the neutral zone. The sophomore then sped down the right side and ripped a shot five-hole to beat Williams for the score.

• The hosts went up by two with 12:37 to play in the first period when Trevor Owens beat Williams glove side. The play began when Dylan Sikura took a long feed from Owens in the defensive zone and went in on a breakaway. Williams made the big save, but Sikura gathered his own rebound and spotted Owens joining the rush. Sikura fed him with a pass and Owens buried it top shelf.

• Acadia cut the deficit to 2-1 midway through the second period with a power play conversion from Samuel Fioretti. With the Axemen moving the puck around the zone, Matthew Pufahl fired a shot from the point that got knocked down in front. Boston Leier, however, found the loose puck and dished it to Fioretti on the tap-in past Ruck.

• Following a two-minute five-on-three power play for Northeastern six minutes into the third period, Williams extended the Husky lead to two with a slap shot from the right dot. Williams began the play himself by holding the puck in the attacking end and waiting for reinforcements. He found that in Cockerill, whose one-timer from the slot was knocked down by an Axeman defenseman. Cockerill picked up his own rebound, though, and fed Williams for a rocket that beat Williams over the glove.

Acadia offense comes alive against Concordia

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – It was a goalie’s worst nightmare and every hockey fan’s dream in Wolfville on Saturday night, as the Axemen won their second game of preseason play in a 8-4 victory over the visiting Concordia Stingers. The Axemen evened up their two game pre-season series against the Stingers following a close 3-2 home loss last night.

For the second night in a row, the Axemen ran into penalty troubles early, taking two before the halfway point of the fast paced first period. It was Concordia who fell into penalty trouble late in the game, finishing with 18 minutes in minors on the night.

Shortly after their second penalty, Acadia second year forward Kyle Farrell (Howie Center, N.S.) scored his first of two in the period, placing the puck between the legs of Concordia goaltender, Robin Billingham (Ottawa, Ont.), around the eleven-minute mark.

The Stingers were quick to respond, as third year forward Phillipe Hudon (Hudson, Que.) corralled the puck in the corner, following a failed clearing attempt by the Axemen, and threw the puck to the high slot, where rookie defenseman Matthieu Desautels (Alexandria, Ont.) fired a wrist shot into the top left corner of the net.

Farrell was quick to respond, as he scooped up the rebound of second year defenseman Liam Maaskant’s (Linton, Ont.) point shot, and tucked the puck under Billingham’s right pad.

Finishing the scoring off in the first period was second year Concordia forward Raphael Lafontaine (Gatineau, Que.), who finished off a beautiful pass from fourth year forward Julien Rainville-Avon (Candiac, Que.), going high glove on a shorthanded 2 on 1. By periods end, the shots were 10-5 for Acadia, with the game tied 2-2.

Things got chippy early in the second, setting the tone for the period, when a scrum broke out in front of the Concordia net, in the first of three Acadia penalties in the period. Following the end of the first penalty, fourth year Acadia forward Taylor Makin (Lethbridge, Alta.) rushed in on the right wing and fired a quick wrist shot at Billingham, with second year Axemen defenseman Chance Braid, (Provost, Alta.) flying in on the left to pot the rebound off of Billingham’s right pad, glove side. After failing to capitalize on two more Acadia penalties, rookie Concordia forward Charles Guevremont, (Verdun, Que.) sped in behind the Axemen net and popped the puck under the left leg of Devin Williams (Saginaw, Mich.), to tie the game 3-3.

Unfortunately for Concordia, it was all Acadia from here on out, with the Axemen scoring five more on the night, including two more from Subway first star of the game, Chance Braid, for the hat trick and one each from forwards Remy Giftopoulos, (Ancaster, Ont.) and Daniel Patterson (Toronto, Ont.). Subway third star of the night, Kyle Farrell, added two assists on the night for a four-point effort.

Acadia looked strong on the power play, notching half of the goals while up a man and even scoring two of them while up two men, going four for eight on the night. Concordia, meanwhile, was unable to capitalize on the power play until late in the game, going one for nine on the night, with a late tip in power play goal from Concordia forward, and Subway second star of the night, Charles Guevermont for his second of the night.

Concordia goaltender, Robin Billingham, was chased from the net after two periods and gave up 5 goals on 20 shots. Third period replacement, Antoine Marchand (Montreal, Que.) did not do much better, allowing three more goals on seven shots. Acadia rookie Devin Williams stopped 22 of 26 shots for the win, including two breakaway attempts.

The Axemen will spend next weekend south of the border to take on Northeastern and Providence in NCAA exhibition play and then return home to open their regular season on Friday, Oct. 7 at home against the Saint Mary’s Huskies. The Stingers head to the University of Vermont to take on the Catamounts on October 1^st before league play against Nipissing on October 7.

Submitted by Joshua Foote, Acadia Athletics Communications Office

Axemen fall in Exhibition Play

(Wolfville, N.S) – Three unanswered goals helped the Concordia Stingers defeat the Acadia Axemen 3-2 in non-conference exhibition play on Friday night with 1423 fans in attendance at the Andrew H. McCain Arena in Wolfville. The game was the second for both teams in exhibition play with the Acadia winning their first game 6-4 over Saint Mary’s on Wednesday in Bridgetown, N.S. and the Stingers rebounding from their 5-2 loss to the UQTR Patriots six days ago.

The Axemen opened up the scoring in the first period at 6:31 with forth year defender-forward Tyler Ferry (Richmond Hill, Ont.) controlling his own rebound and tucking the puck behind Stingers’ goaltender Miguel Sullivan (Petit De Grat, N.S.) on his far side.

After a Concordia minor 20 seconds later, the Axemen jumped out to a 2-0 lead as Remy Giftopolous (Ancaster, Ont.) controlled rebound from the point shot of veteran defender Geoff Schemitsch (Thornhill, Ont.) and put the puck passed Sullivan.

After Acadia took two minor penalties just a little after the midway of the first, Concordia head coach Marc-André Élement took a timeout in an attempt to take advantage of their two-man advantage. His bid was successful as Concordia cut the lead in half at the 15:06 mark with captain Oliver Hinse (Sherbrooke, Que.) redirected a shot from the point putting it past Axemen goaltender Brandon Glover (Victoria, B.C.).

Just over a minute into the second period had elapsed when forward Matt Boudreau (St. Eustache, Que.) tied the game up at two with a wrap-around goal that beat Glover to his far side.

Both teams exchanged scoring chances but were stymied by the great play of Glover and Sullivan, who got the win with his 35 save performance.

The Axemen made a goalie change shortly after the half way point of the second period, putting in Robert Steeves (Moncton, N.B.) who would eventually record the loss for the Axemen.

The second period was marred by penalties from the Axemen in an unusually chippy affair for preseason action. There would be 13 infractions from both sides as Concordia went one for eight on the powerplay, while the Axemen one for two.

The game-winning goal was scored by Concordia’s alternate captain, Phillipe Hudon (Hudson, Que.) on a partial breakaway after receiving a great outlet pass from Scott Oke (St. Lambert, Que.) who beat Steeves glove side to give the Stingers their first lead of the game at 12:43 of the third.

The Axemen attempted a late rally but fell short as Concordia’s goaltender Sullivan played well to ensure a Stinger’s victory and a second star of the game recognition. The Subway Player of the Game award went to Stinger Matthieu Desautels while Acadia’s Remy Giftopoulos was named the third star.

Both teams will meet again tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. at the Acadia Athletic Complex in Wolfville before the Axemen will head off to the United States to take on Northeastern and Providence as preseason action continues.

By John Woodworth, Acadia Communications Office.

Axemen fall 4-3 in OT

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The UPEI Panthers completed the upset bid and are headed to the semifinals after defeating the Acadia Axemen 4-3 in overtime Friday night.

Marcus Power’s heroics brought 1,200 cheering fans to their feet after netting the game-winning goal five minutes into the extra frame.

After surrendering a two-goal lead early in the third period, the resilient Panthers stuck with their game plan and battled back for the win.

The Panthers, who came into the series struggling to score, made every shift count and outscored the Axemen 10-6 in two games of the best-of-three series.

Game 2 saw both teams come out of the gate aggressive and physical, but Acadia had the first opportunity to get on scoreboard. A Panthers blocked shot led to an Axemen odd-man rush, but Mavric Parks denied the threat to keep the game scoreless.

Acadia continued their strong push and eventually broke through. After Parks made the initial save on an Axeman shot, forward Chance Braid poked away at the puck until it crossed the goal line, giving them a 1-0 edge.

Three minutes later, Power found Brent Andrews who went five hole past Acadia netminder Brandon Glover, tying the game at one apiece.Read more »

Axemen face do-or-die game on Friday in PEI

WOLFVILLE, N.S. –  Four goals in the opening nine minutes of the second period gave the visiting UPEI Panthers an insurmountable 5-1 lead and eventual 6-3 win over the CIS No. 5 ranked Acadia Axemen in the opening game of the AUS quarterfinal best of three series.

The Panthers opened the scoring at 9:35 in the first period when Nelson Armstrong (Peterborough, Ont.) carried the puck over the blueline and fed teammate Marcus Power (St. John’s, NL) a high slot pass. Power gained control of the puck and sent it back to Power for an easy tap-in past a sprawling Brandon Glover (Victoria, B.C.).

With a 1-0 deficit after one period, Axeman Mike Cazzola (Guelph, Ont.) responded only 1:16 into the second frame. Cazzola picked up a loose puck along the boards and sent a pin point pass to Brett Thompson who was along in front of the net. Thompson’s attempt to score fell short but the puck trickled between the pads of Mavric Parks (Eganville, Ont.), allowing Cazzola to net the tying goal.Read more »

Fioretti scores the OT winner for Acadia

WOLFVILLE, N.S. –  Sam Fioretti’s (Calgary, Alta.) wrap around goal with 7:28 remaining in the overtime period, gave the Axemen a 3-2 win over the visiting Saint Mary’s Huskies. The Axemen finish the regular season with a 19-7-2 record and third place in the final AUS standings, while the Huskies sit three points behind Acadia in fourth place with a 17-8-3 record.

Rookie Chance Braid (Wainwright, Alta.) opened the scoring early in the first period when the Huskies defensive unit coughed up the puck to Braid who was unattended in the slot. Braid’s backhand over stretched out Cole Cheveldave’s (Calgary, Alta.) glove hand side gave the Axemen an early 1-0 lead.

Calder Brooks (Emerald Place, Sask.) scored his first of two goals at the 9:18 mark of the first period after teammate Stephen MacAulay (Cole Harbour, N.S.) fed Brooks an across the crease pass from the face-off circle, setting up an easy tap-in past goaltender Brandon Glover (Victoria, B.C.).

Just over a minute after the Huskies goal, Brett Thompson (Sault Ste Marie, Ont.) setup Zachery Franko (Winnipeg, Man.) at the ringette line from the shallow corner.  Franko let loose a blistering slap shot that caught the top shelf on Cheveldave’s glove hand side for the 2-1 Axemen lead.

The lone goal of the second period was Brooks’ second goal of the night. Picking up a rebound from a blocked Jamie Doornbosch (Richmond Hill, Ont.) shot, Brooks backhanded a shot over Glover’s glove hand side to tie the game at two with 3:04 remaining in the second frame.Read more »

Fioretti nets the lone Axemen goal

Antigonish, N.S. – In a late-season battle for second place in the conference, the StFX X-Men (18-6-3) skated to a 4-1 win over the visiting Acadia Axemen (18-7-2) in AUS hockey action Wednesday night at the Keating Centre.

Coming into the mid-week match-up, the CIS #4-ranked Axemen led the X-Men (#8) by one point in the standings. With the victory, the X-Men kept their hopes alive of securing a first-round playoff bye. If StFX wins its regular season finale Friday night over the visiting Dalhousie Tigers, they will clinch second place in the league.

In the opening five minutes of the first period, the Axemen garnered a power-play chance, but the X-Men – led by goaltender Drew Owsley (Lethbridge, AB) – kept the game scoreless.

A couple minutes later, at 7:20, the X-Men jumped to a 1-0 edge on a Max Iafrate (Livonia, MI) goal with the man advantage. After faking a pass from just inside the blue line, the first-year defenseman re-loaded and beat a screened Brandon Glover (Victoria, BC) high to the glove side with a wrist shot. Kristoff Kontos (Penetanguishene, ON) collected the helper on the opening marker.

At 12:58, also on the power play, Sam Fioretti (Calgary, AB) evened the contest, when he collected a rebound on the lip of the crease before roofing a backhander over a sprawled Owsley, who had made the initial save on an Axemen shot from the blue line. Boston Leier (Saskatoon, SK) and Matthew Pufahl (Saskatoon, SK) notched the assists.Read more »

FREDERICTON, NB – In a scrap between Atlantic University Sport leaders, the UNB Varsity Reds scored a 7-4 victory over the Acadia Axemen.

Cameron Brace and Chris Clapperton each scored twice to lead the Varsity Reds, who ran their AUS win streak to an even dozen.

With the win, UNB clinches first place in the AUS for the ninth consecutive season.

Rob Mignardi, Tyler Carroll and Taylor MacDougall, into an empty net, also scored for UNB.

Jordan Murray had three assists.

Mike Cazzola, Boston Leier, Mike Fioretti and Brett Thompson scored for the Axemen.

The visitors opened the scoring, just 1:09 into the first period.

Varsity Reds netminder Etienne Marcoux couldn’t corral a rebound. Cazzola pounced on the loose puck, scoring his 16^th goal of the season.

Brace got his first of the night, six minutes later. On the power-play, he blasted a Jordan Murray pass underneath the crossbar to tie the game 1-1.

Acadia took the lead back a minute later, when Leier converted a Brett Thompson pass.

But Clapperton and Mignardi would score before the end of the first, to give UNB a 3-2 lead after 20 minutes.Read more »

Thompson, Cazzola, & Leier with Axemen goals

HALIFAX, N.S. – The unranked Saint Mary’s Huskies defeated the CIS No. 3 ranked Acadia Axemen 4-3 in AUS men’s hockey action Friday night at the Scotiabank Centre as part of the AUS Varsity Showdown event. The Huskies capitalized on the powerplay, scoring four goals with the man advantage.

Acadia opened the scoring when Brett Thompson (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) scored off a great rebound at 8:32 to make it 1-0.
The Huskies answered when Kyle Pereira (Brampton, Ont.) tallied from the top of the circle through traffic on the powerplay at 13:29 to tie it up at 1-1.

Saint Mary’s took the lead when Subway player of the game Matt Tipoff (Toronto, Ont.) potted a marker off another good rebound at 14:27 on the powerplay to make it 2-1 after the first period.

In the second period, Saint Mary’s increased their lead when Gerrard Grant (Halifax, N.S.) scored from in close off a beautiful cross crease pass at 2:04 on the powerplay to make the score 3-1.

Acadia narrowed the deficit when Mike Cazzola (Guelph, Ont.) tallied from the circle at 9:32 on the powerplay to get it to 3-2. Saint Mary’s got that one back when Tipoff got his second of the game off a slapshot from the circle at 15:00 on the powerplay to restore the two goal lead at 4-2 after two periods. Read more »

Fioretti scores twice including the game winner

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Sam Fioretti’s (Calgary, Alta.) second of two goals was the game winner as the Axemen snapped a two game losing streak with a 3-2 win against the red hot third place StFX X-Men.

On a two game winning streak, the X-Men hoped to extend it to three while in Wolfville for Bell Let’s Talk Night.

The X-Men opened the evening with a goal by Kristoff Kontos (Penetanguishene, Ont.) with just over nine minutes remaining in the first period. Kontos received a great pass from teammate Holden Cook (Oshawa, Ont.) for the easy tap in.

The Axemen responded two minutes later when second year forward Boston Leier (Saskatoon, Sask.) scored his 12th goal of the regular season on a wrist shot that caught the top corner for the tying goal.

With no change in score in the second period, Sam Fioretti scored in the opening minute of the final frame. Fioretti’s goal was his first of a two goal third period.

Read more »