Hoyt with the lone goal for Acadia

 

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – All good things come to an end. In this case, it was the three-game winning streak for the Acadia Axemen (8-13-2-1) that was snapped by the UNB REDS (19-3-1-1) in a 5-1 loss on Saturday night.

Acadia’s lone goal in their effort came from the second star of the nightΒ Peyton HoytΒ (Fredericton, N.B.). The offensive opportunities for the Axemen were limited as they were outshot 36-22 on the night.

The REDS jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first period.

Subway First Star of the Night Emmett Sproule (Collingwood, Ont.) scored with 8:35 left in the opening frame thanks to a communication error by the Acadia defence.

Sproule picked up the puck just outside the Acadia blueline after the Axemen D-men ran into each other. He came in on the Acadia goalieΒ Conor McCollumΒ (Pickering, Ont.) and snuck a shot low left side to put the REDS up 1-0.

Connor Hall (Kitchener, Ont.) scored a few minutes later, on a wrist shot from the point. The puck managed to get by the crowd in front of the net to double the lead for UNB.

Acadia responded 33 seconds later thanks to an incredible solo performance fromΒ Peyton Hoyt.

Hoyt split the defence at the REDS’ blueline with a burst of speed for a breakaway and shot low right side and beat REDS’ goaltender Samuel Richard to make it 2-1.

At the end of the period, the shots were 10-9 in favour of the REDS.

UNB doubled their goal total in the second period, going up 4-1 in the frame.

Sproule added his second marker on the night at 4:01 into the second period on a shot from the slot. He took a pass from Simon Pinard (Drummondville, Que.) and beat the McCollum low to make it 3-1.

Acadia had a few solid chances in the period, including a partial break from Hoyt, but they could not find the back of the net.

Jason Wilms (Kitchener, Ont.) scored the final goal of the period. Wilms was parked by the right post and buried the puck on a pass from Camaryn Baber (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) who was coming out from behind the Acadia net.

By the end of the second period, the REDS held a 29-17 lead in shots.

The first half of the third period was light on scoring but heavy on the rough stuff.

It was a scrum in front of the Acadia net that gave the REDS the man-advantage necessary to score their fifth goal on the night.

Benjamin Corbeil (Granby, Que.) sniped a one-timer from inside the left face-off circle to make it 5-1.

There were a couple of scrums that broke out in the final minutes of the game, but otherwise, it was an uneventful end to the game.

Acadia goalieΒ Conor McCollumΒ stopped 31 of 36 shots, while his UNB counterpart Samuel Richard turned aside 21 of the 22 shots he faced on the night.

The third star of the night was REDS defenceman Kade Landry (Gowanstown, Ont.).

Acadia returns to play on Wed. January 25 against the Saint Mary’s Huskies, while the REDS travel to STFX and Dalhousie next weekend.

Contributed by Joshua Foote, Acadia Athletics Communications Office

Nagy, Henderson & McMaster score in winβ€―Β 

Wolfville, N.S. – Make it three in a row for the Acadia Axemen (9-12-2-1) as they defeated the Moncton Aigles Bleus (10-13-1-0) 3-2 on Friday night. The win means that the Axemen trail Moncton by two points in the standings for fifth place.Β 

The Subway First Star of the Night Adam McMaster (Beamsville, N.S.) scored the game-winner on a power-play Acadia 5:43 into the final period.Β 

McMaster stepped in from the left side of the blueline and lifted a soft wrist shot into the middle of the net.Β 

β€œThe boys were definitely snapping around in practice, and it translated into success in the game,” commented McMaster on his powerplay goal. β€œCoaches have been stressing on the powerplay to shoot the puck.” 

Acadia jumped out to an early lead thanks to a front-of-the-net scramble goal 4:42 into the first period.Β 

Cole Nagy (Saskatoon, Sask.) scooped up a rebound with Moncton’s goalie Etienne Montpetit (Valleyfield, Que.) laying on the ice to make it 1-0.Β 

Moncton responded late in the period with a tying goal from the second star of the night Nathael Roy (Levis, Que.), who took advantage of a failed clearing attempt by the Axemen.Β 

Roy corralled the puck in the right corner of the offensive zone, came in tight on the goalie, and lifted a wrister into the top corner to make it 1-1.Β 

It was an offensively dominant period for the Axemen, as they held a 16-5 lead in shots heading into the second period.Β 

Moncton took their first and only lead of the game in the second period.Β 

Maxime Boudreau (Cap-Pete, N.B.) scored the goal for Moncton with 9:41 left in the periodΒ 

Boudreau stepped into the slot and fired a shot five-hole to make it 2-1.Β 

Acadia’s best scoring opportunity in the period came when Corson Hopwo (Duncan, B.C.) attempted “the Michigan” behind the Moncton net.Β 

At the end of the period, the shots were 26-19 in favour of Acadia.Β 

Acadia mounted their comeback in the third with a pair of goals in the first six minutes of the period.Β 

Eric Henderson (Kingsville, Ont.) tied the game 1:40 into the final frame after picking up a rebound in front of the net and sliding it past Montpetit to make it 2-2.Β 

It was only four minutes later that McMaster scored what would be the eventual game-winner.Β 

Moncton made a valiant effort to tie the game, including pulling their goalie in the final minute but came up short.Β 

Acadia goalie Conor McCollum (Pickering, Ont.) turned aside 27 of 29 shots on the night, while Etienne Montpetit stopped 37 of 40 shots.Β 

Acadia forward Keegan Stevenson (Aweres Township, Ont.) was named the third star of the night.Β 

Acadia returns to play tomorrow night against the REDS, while the Aigles Bleus head to Halifax to take on the Saint Mary’s Huskies. Both games start at 7:00 p.m.Β 

Provided by Joshua Foote, Acadia Athletics Communications OfficeΒ 

Acadia wins pair of weekend games

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Make it two in a row for the Acadia Axemen (8-12-2-1) as they had a strong performance in a 4-2 win over the UPEI Panthers (14-7-1-1) on Saturday night.Β 

Subway First Star of the Night Adam McMaster (Beamsville, Ont.) scored the eventual game-winner with 6:50 left to play in the first period.Β 

β€œIt’s definitely fun playing with a lead. We got off to a hot start at the beginning. We were not happy with the results after Christmas, but we got back to work in practice this week and the payoff was this weekend. It’s always nice to play at home,” noted McMaster after the game.Β 

Acadia struck first with a goal just under four minutes into the opening frame.Β 

Luke Zazula (Langley, B.C.) scored a beautiful marker after taking a feed from Bailey Peach. Zazula was left alone in the slot and wired a shot into the top left corner of the net to make it 1-0.Β 

UPEI responded with a power-play marker from Danil Antropov (Toronto, Ont.) roughly four minutes later.Β 

Antropov was left alone in the right corner, and he took advantage of his opportunity, taking a pass from Ryan Stephen (Stoney Creek, Ont.) for an easy goal.Β 

Acadia responded with a pair of goals to close out the period and take a commanding 3-1 lead into the second period.Β 

McMaster and Eric Henderson (Kingsville, Ont.) were the goal scorers for Acadia.Β 

McMaster broke in on a 2-on-1 with Liam Kidney (Enfield, N.S.), who made a beautiful cross-zone pass to give McMaster an easy tap-in to take the lead.Β 

Henderson scored two minutes later on a similar play, beating the UPEI goalie, Lucas Fitzpatrick (Lower Sackville, N.S.) at the five hole to give Acadia their 3-1 lead.Β 

The teams were tied 12-12 in shots at the end of the period.Β 

There was not much action in the second period, with Acadia adding a single goal in the final minutes of the frame to take a 4-1 lead into the final period.Β 

Despite having numerous power-play attempts in the second, it was actually the penalty kill that gave Acadia their goal.Β 

Corson Hopwo (Duncan, B.C.) scooped up the rebound from Peyton Hoyt’s (Fredericton, N.B) partial breakaway attempt and lifted it over the sprawling UPEI goalie to put his team up 4-1.Β 

By the end of the second, the shots were 24-20 for the Axemen.Β 

The second star of the night Kurtis Henry (Niagara Falls, Ont.) brought the Panthers back into the game with a power-play marker early in the third.Β 

Henry fired a shot from the point that fooled the Acadia goaltender Conor McCollum (Pickering, Ont.) to make it 4-2.Β 

That was as close as the Panthers would get. They pulled their goalie at the end of the game but were unable to beat the Acadia goalie again.Β 

Acadia forward Merrick Rippon (Ottawa, Ont.) took home the third star of the night honours.Β 

McCollum stopped 28 of 30 shots on the night, while his UPEI counterpart, Fitzpatrick, turned aside 26-30 shots on the night.Β 

The Axemen return to play next Friday against Moncton, while the Panthers travel to Dalhousie next Friday.Β 

Provided by Joshua Foote, Acadia Athletics Communications Office
Photos provided by Peter OleskevichΒ 

Nagy & Peach with the Acadia tallies

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – In the first of a five-game homestand, and the home-opener of 2023, the Acadia Axemen (6-12-1-1) came out with a victory. Acadia downed the Saint Mary’s Huskies (14-8-0-0) 2-1 on Friday night in Wolfville.Β 

Snapping a losing streak of three games, the Axemen trail Moncton and STFX by six points in the AUS standings in sixth place.β€―Β 

β€œIt was a huge, big game for us. We wanted to come out strong and play the way we know we can,” said AUS Subway First Star of the Game, Corson Hopwo (Duncan, B.C.). β€œWe wanted to get the cycle going and get shots on net and run their d-men. So I think we played well tonight and we want to keep it going into tomorrow.” 

Despite holding the lead in shots for the opening frame, Acadia was down 1-0 by the end of the first period.Β 

The play was even between the teams throughout the period. Both sides had a number of chances, but it was Saint Mary’s who struck first.Β 

Saint Mary’s opened the scoring with 90 seconds left in the first frame.Β 

Charlie Dafonseca (Thornhill, Ont.) potted a goal for the Huskies on a quick pass from Nathan Dunkely (Campbellford, Ont.) to open the scoring.Β 

By the end of the first period, the shots were 9-8 in favour of Acadia.Β 

It was all Acadia in the second, as they responded with a pair of goals to take a 2-1 lead heading into the third frame.Β 

The Axemen tied the game on a goal from Cole Nagy (Saskatoon, Sask.), 12 minutes into the second period.Β 

Acadia used a strong breakout from their zone to score. Nagy took a pass from Nick Deakin-Poot (Georgetown, Ont.) and ripped a shot past the glove of Saint Mary’s goalie Jeremy Helvig (Kingston, Ont.).Β 

Bailey Peach (Falmouth, N.S.) gave Acadia their first lead of the game just over three minutes later.Β 

Peach sniped a shot from the slot to make it 2-1 for Acadia.Β 

At the end of the second period, Acadia held a commanding 23-13 lead in shots.Β 

Neither team was able to add to the scoresheet in a tight defensive third period.Β 

Acadia had a shot at getting an empty-netter late in the game, but they were unable to capitalize on the opportunity, making for a tense final minute of play.Β 

Acadia goalie Conor McCollum (Pickering, Ont.) turned aside 22 of 23 shots on the night, while his Saint Mary’s counterpart, Jeremy Helvig, stopped 31 of 33 shots on net.Β 

Acadia returns to play tomorrow night in Wolfville against the UPEI Panthers, while the Huskies host the UNB REDS next Friday night.Β 

Peach, Flaman, & Sellan score for Acadia

Photo courtesy of Bryan Kennedy

Antigonish, NS – The STFX X Men snapped a three-game losing streak with a convincing 6-3 victory over the visiting Acadia Axemen at the Charles V. Keating Centre on Saturday night.Β 

The Axemen came out quick in the first five minutes, holding the majority of possession and quality shots in the early going. STFX had a few chances in a row off a scramble during a powerplay later in the period but Acadia goalie Conor McCollum (Pickering, ON) and the stingy Axemen defence kept the score at zero though the first 10 minutes.Β 

It’s was STFX’s Adam Holwell (St. John’s, NFLD) who broke the tie, going high on the glove side with a clapper from the wing while shorthanded for his second goal of the season. Acadia however tied it up just over three minutes later, with Bailey Peach (Falmouth, NS) jumping on a loose puck in front of the X net.Β Β 

Josh Nelson (Lockport, IL) put the X-Men up again just over a minute later, showing off his hands off a feed from Zack Trott (Mulmur, ON) and Liam Hawel (Arnprior, ON). Shots at the end of the period were 17-15 in favour of Acadia.Β 

Trott made the game 3-1 with just over six minutes gone in the second, knocking the puck out of the air off a Jacob Hudson (Antigonish, NS) shot on the powerplay. STFX almost added to their lead with about five minute left in the period, but McCollum made a great cross crease save.Β 

The chippy play continued through most of the period, with the teams incurring 80 minutes in penalties over the first 40 minutes of play. Shots at the end of the second were 26 apiece as STFX held onto the 3-1 advantage.Β 

Acadia cut into the lead with almost four minutes gone in the third, with Jack Flaman (Vibank, SA) potting one off a shorted handed 2-on-1 from Luke Zazula (Langley, BC).Β Β 

About three minutes later, Connor Roberts (Owen Sound, ON) notched his fourth goal of the season and made it a two goal lead once again.Β  STFX added another three minutes later, with Roberts firing one that got stopped but Nelson banged in the rebound for the home team three minutes later.Β Β 

X-Men defenseman Clark Webster (Kensington, PEI) tallied his first goal of the season two minutes later, off a pass from Matthew Struthers (Milton, ON), but Acadia responded quickly, with Acadia’s Brendan Sellan (Orangeville, ON) making the score 6-3.Β Β 

STFX netminder Joseph Raaymakers (Chatham, ON) had 34 saves in the win while McCollum made 29 saves in the loss. Shots at the end of the game were 37-35 in favour of Acadia.Β Β 

Nelson’s two goal performance earned him first star and Subway player of the game honours, while Roberts picked up the second star and Acadia’s Flaman was named third star.Β Β 

The X-Men next take to the ice on January 13, when they will travel to Moncton. As for the Axemen, they will host St. Mary’s next Friday.Β 

-30-Β 

Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX AthleticsΒ 

Morgan Nauss scores for Acadia in loss

The Dalhousie Tigers Men’s hockey team welcomed the Acadia Axemen to the Halifax Forum on Friday night for both teams’ first game of the new year.Β 

Β 

The Tigers wasted no time bringing the offense to 2023 as Campbell Pickard (Halifax, NS) deposited a quick shot off a rebound, just 35 seconds in for a 1-0 lead. The Axemen would respond with several good shifts of their own, cycling the puck in the Tigers zone, which resulted in a great opportunity for Hudson Wilson (Toronto, ON).Β Β 

 

Acadia’s pressure continued, testing Dalhousie goaltender Connor Hicks (Kanata, ON), but he stood tall. With less than two minutes remaining in the opening frame, Acadia would head to the powerplay for the first time where some pretty passing saw Liam Kidney (Enfield, NS) get a great chance in front, but was denied by Hicks. Other than the physicality picking up, not much more would change through the end of the first, as Dalhousie took a 1-0 lead into the second, despite being heavily out-shot by the Axemen.Β 

 

Carrying their momentum forward, Acadia came out flying for the second period as Adam McMaster (Beamsville, ON) got a clear shot on net and the Axemen would draw a penalty for their second powerplay of the game. Coming ever so close Bailey Peach (Falmouth, NS) hit the crossbar with a laser from the blue line, but it remained a one-goal game. Finding some energy on the penalty kill, the Tigers responded with several shifts of their own in the Axemen zone, resulting in a beautiful wraparound goal by Matt Green (Hammonds Plains, NS) to make it 2-0 Dalhousie.Β Β 

 

Midway through the period, Acadia would head to the man advantage for a third time, but some big blocks by the Tigers defense kept it 2-0. Dalhousie’s powerplay would get their first opportunity with seven minutes left and saw both teams ring the puck off the post, but the Tigers held the two-goal lead into the third period.Β Β 

Β 

The Tigers would return to the powerplay to start the final period, but this time it was the Axemen penalty kill coming up big to hold strong. Dalhousie would go on to take two more penalties in the last frame, giving Acadia several opportunities leading down to four minutes remaining. The last powerplay would come to an abrupt end however as the Axemen took a major penalty.Β 

 

With the Acadia goalie pulled, the Tigers would add an empty net goal from Pickard, for his second of the game to make it 3-0. The Axemen would spoil the shutout, however, adding a goal from Morgan Nauss (Hammonds Plains, NS) with just seconds remaining in the game, for a final score of 3-1.Β 

Β 

Goaltender Connor Hicks took home the Subway Player of the Game award for the Dalhousie TigersΒ 

Β 

The Dalhousie Tigers won their second straight, improving to 3-15-0-1, and will look to keep it going against Saint Mary’s Saturday at 7:00 pm.Β 

 

Acadia drops to 5-11-2-1 and will look to bounce back when they travel to play the X-Men in Antigonish Saturday at 7:00 pmΒ 

Axemen eager for more after gaining 1st half experience

We’ve hit the holiday break in the AUS season, so let’s take a look back at the first half of the season for the Acadia Axemen.

The Axemen came into the season with a total of 9 new recruits joining the program, including six 1st year forwards, 2 defensemen and 1 goalie. A tall order to initiate nearly half of the team into the fast paced, ultra competitive AUS conference. But the Axemen came out of the gate strong winning 2 of the first 3 games of the regular season before falling into a lull through mid October to mid November going 1-8-1.Β  The team found their stride heading into the holiday break, earning points in 4 straight games and going 2-1-1-1 in their last 5 games. Acadia currently sits in 6 place in the AUS, just 4 points back of the 5th place StFX X-Men.

 

Acadia Axemen head coach Darren Burns was pleased with his team’s progress saying, β€œTo me, looking at the first half, it needs to be assessed in two parts. This was a very important year for the program coming out of the last two fragmented years and graduating so many players. It was crucial we got the right people to strengthen our foundation and culture and we feel extremely confident we have done that. This, mixed with great leadership by our veterans, has proven to create a positive first half. On the ice surface we feel the team grew immensely over the first half. We had a strong finish, as players got used to the league. We liked what we saw when we had our full line up. At the same time, it has made us hungry to want more and we believe our players feel the same. That being said, everyone knows the league is going to another level in the 2nd half, that’s just the way the AUS is.”

 

In terms of individual players, forward Liam Kidney, of Enfield, got off to a hot start with 6 goals in his first 6 games and continues to lead the team with 7 goals and 12 points over 18 games.

 

Falmouth’s Bailey Peach had a strong first half in his 1st season with Acadia, with 10 points in 17 games, good for second on the team; tied with fellow rookie Brendan Sellan, who came on late in the 1st half with 6 points in his final 8 games.

 

Corson Hopwo came on strong with 8 points, before being injured in the 2nd last game before the break, while Cole Nagy continues to impress at both ends of the ice with every AUS game he adds to his resume.

 

2nd year centreman Adam McMaster had 9 points, while Peyton Hoyt had 7 points in 15 games. Nick Deakin-Poot also excelled to start the season, laying the body on the opponents every chance he had, scoring 6 points in 12 games despite injuries which forced him out of the lineup for 6 games.

 

Captain Jack Flaman, assistant captain Eric Henderson, and forward Keegan Stevenson began to find their scoring touch late in the 1st half, and will be counted on for continued leadership and secondary scoring in January.

The Axemen greatest strength may have been their defense. The returning 6 defenseman have led the way, with the shotblocking extraordinaires Orie Mainolfi and Morgan Nauss, getting in lanes and taking away scoring chances. Luke Zazula has pitched in on offense with 6 points, and Merrick Rippon has increased his offensive prowess this season with 9 points in 15 games. Assistant captains Reilly Webb and Hudson Wilson have brought strong leadership and continue to force opponents to earn every inch, the full length of the ice. Brendan Tomilson has been a strong addition on the blueline, also showing versatility stepping in to play forward when called upon.

 

In goal, 5th year netminder Conor McCollum has emerged as the starting goalie throughout the first half, starting 11 games with a 5-4-2-1 record with a .895 Save Percentage and 3.11 Goals Against Average. While 1st year Axemen Zack Paputsakis has been strong despite still looking for his 1st win on the season, he has given Acadia a chance to win in each of his 7 starts on the season, with a 2.89 GAA and .908 SV%.

 

The Axemen will get a boost on the offensive side going into the 2nd half as they have added former Halifax Mooseheads centremen Zack Jones to the team. The extra scoring punch may be just what Acadia needs to continue their push in the standings as they head into January.

 

As Coach Burns concluded, looking forward to coming out of the break, β€œIt’s about to get faster and tougher starting in January and it’s up to our staff to prepare our players for this. We are looking forward to this challenge. At the end of the day, we were impressed with our team’s commitment. However bigger challenges lie ahead, and we look forward to taking them head on as a team.”

 

With 12 games remaining in the regular season, the Axemen will look to come out of the holiday break strong when Acadia returns to the ice on January 6th .Β  They will look to avenge a 3-2 loss to the Dalhousie Tigers in the final game before the break, when they travel to Halifax to face the Tigers at 7pm at the Halifax Forum.

Flaman & Hoyt with the Acadia goals

HALIFAX, N.S. – The Dalhousie Tigers beat the Acadia Axemen 3-2 in Saturday night men’s hockey action at the Halifax Forum.

 

Acadia began the game on the attack, peppering Dalhousie goaltenderβ€―Alexander MacDonaldβ€―(Truro, NS) with shots in the hopes that something would get by him. MacDonald turned them all away and was rewarded late in the period whenβ€―Matt Greenβ€―(Hammonds Plains, NS) andβ€―Kyle Yewchukβ€―(Calgary, AB) found the back of the net to give the Tigers the lead.Β Β 

Acadia’s aggression paid off early in the second period whenΒ Jack FlamanΒ (Vbank, SK) redirected a puck past MacDonald to close the gap on the powerplay. Dalhousie’sβ€―Ethan O’Rourkeβ€―(Prince George, BC) responded later in the period to keep the Axemen comeback at bay.Β Β 

The Axemen wouldn’t quit though and continued to fire away on MacDonald. For the game, they outshot the Tigers 34-20, and midway through the third period they managed to get their second goal fromΒ Peyton HoytΒ (Fredericton, NB) to shrink Dalhousie’s lead once more.Β Β 

Their effort came too late though, as Dalhousie walked away with their second win of the season, breaking a 13 game losing streak. They now sit at 2-15-0-1 on the season while Acadia drops to 5-10-1-2 entering the winter break.Β 

Kyle Yewchuk, earned Subway player of the game honours for Dalhousie.Β Β 

Dal and Acadia will face off against each other in their next match-up on January 6 at the Halifax Forum, but for now, both teams will take the winter break to rest up and refocus for the home stretch.Β Β 

Written by Joe Thomson, Dalhousie Tigers Communications Office

5 different Acadia goal scorers in win

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – It was the end of a seven-game losing streak for the Acadia Axemen (4-9-2-1) on Saturday night, as they defeated the Moncton Aigles Bleus (10-6) by a score of 5-2.

Subway First Star of the NightΒ Merrick RipponΒ (Ottawa, Ont.) and third star of the nightΒ Bailey PeachΒ (Falmouth, N.S.) contributed to their team’s offensive outburst with a goal apiece.

Acadia went on an offensive explosion in the first period with three goals.

Eric HendersonΒ (Kingsville, Ont.) and Rippon both scored their first goal of the year in the opening frame.

Henderson took a pass fromΒ Jack FlamanΒ (Vibank, Sask.) and chipped the puck over Moncton’s goalie Felix-Anthony Ethier (Deux-Montagnes, Que.) in close to make it 1-0.

Rippon doubled the lead for Acadia less than two minutes later on a shot from the right face-off circle.

Corson HopwoΒ (Duncan, B.C.) potted the third goal of the frame for Acadia with a quick snapshot from the left face-off circle that beat the Ethier glove side.

Moncton responded with a goal late in the period from the second star of the night, Thomas Pelletier.

Thomas Pelletier (Quebec, Que.) got his team on the scoreboard with a power-play marker. Pelletier took a snapshot in close and beat Acadia’sΒ Conor McCollumΒ (Pickering, Ont.) low blocker side to make it 3-1.

At the end of the first period, Acadia held a 12-10 lead in shots.

The teams were evenly matched for most of the second period, as they traded scoring opportunities throughout the frame.

Moncton was stronger at the start of the period, but Acadia began to nab more chances as the period wore on.

It was Acadia who found the back of the net near the end of the second period, during a 4-on-3 power-play.

Bailey PeachΒ wired a one-timer into the top left corner of the net, after passing back and forth withΒ Adam McMasterΒ (Beamsville, N.S.), to make it 4-1.

By the end of the period, Acadia had a 24-20 lead in shots.

Each team added a goal to their total in the final frame.

Acadia got a goal fromΒ Nick Deakin-PootΒ (Georgetown, Ont.) after jamming a puck in on a mad scramble in front of Moncton’s net.

Moncton added a goal with 15 seconds remaining in the game. McCollum was sprawled out and made a handful of saves before Remy Anglehart (Gascon, Que.) chipped the puck in to make it 5-2.

McCollum stopped 29 of 31 shots, while Moncton’s Felix-Anthony Ethier turned aside 29 of 34 shots.

Tonight, marked Acadia’s last home game until January. They’ll wrap up before Christmas with games on Wednesday, Nov. 30 and Friday, Dec. 3 against the STFX X-Men and Dalhousie Tigers, respectively.

Moncton travels to UPEI on Wednesday night.

Acadia’s next home game is Friday, Jan. 13 against the Saint Mary’s Huskies.

Submitted by Joshua Foote, Acadia Athletics Communications Office

Stevenson with the Acadia goal

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Two streaks continued on Friday night in Wolfville following a 2-1 OT victory for the U SPORTS No. 1 ranked UNB REDS over the Acadia Axemen. For the UNB Varsity Reds, the win marked their twelfth in a row. Meanwhile, the Acadia Axemen now hold a seven-game losing streak.

Despite the loss, tonight marked possibly the strongest performance from the Axemen yet this season.

Both teams benefitted from the excellent play of their goaltenders.

Axemen goalieΒ Zachary PaputsakisΒ (Rockland, Ont.) stopped 23 of 24 shots in the first two periods, before being replaced, due to injury, byΒ Conor McCollum. UNB goalie Samuel Richard (Ste. Catherine, Que.) turned aside 25 of 26 shots and was named the third star of the night.

Acadia jumped out to an early lead thanks to a goal from the second star of the night,Β Keegan StevensonΒ (Aweres Township, Ont.).

Stevenson redirected a quick wrist shot fromΒ Hudson WilsonΒ at the point to give Acadia the first lead of the game.

At the end of the first period, shots were 11-6 in favour of UNB.

UNB had a litany of offensive chances in the second but solved Paputsakis only once in the period to tie the game.

The REDS had two separate breakaways, while shorthanded near the midpoint of the second period. Both shots were turned aside on wonderful saves, including one that required Paputsakis to sprawl at the goal line to keep the puck from going in.

However, UNB finally scored with 3:31 left in the second frame.

The REDS broke out of their own zone quickly and rushed into the Acadia zone where Cole MacKay (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) took a feed in the slot and wired a wrist shot home to tie the game at 1-1.

By the end of the second period, UNB held a commanding 24-13 lead in shots.

Acadia made a goaltending change at the start of the third withΒ Conor McCollumΒ taking over between the pipes. Paputsakis seemed to be labouring with some sort of injury throughout the second period.

There was no scoring in the third period despite several strong attempts from both sides.

With the game tied at one, the teams were forced into overtime to find a winner.

The extra period saw a number of solid scoring chances from both teams, but it was Brady Gilmour (Grafton, Ont.) who sent the crowd home.

McCollum stopped the initial shot from a UNB rush but could not cover the puck with a number of bodies in front of him.

Gilmour scooped up the puck in front and flipped it over the Axemen goalie for the game-winner.

UNB defenceman Adam McCormick (Waterville, N.B.) was named Subway First Star of the Night.

Acadia returns to play tomorrow night at home, as they take on the Moncton Aigles Bleus, while the REDS head to Saint Mary’s. Puck drops at 7:00 pm for both games.

Submitted by Joshua Foote, Acadia Athletics Communications Office