Acadia Earns a Point After Trailing by 4

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The Acadia Axemen (0-0-1) were unable to complete what would have been an epic comeback in their home opener on Friday night against the StFX X-Men (1-0-0), losing 5-4 in a shootout. The X-Men seem to have Acadia’s number, winning 4 of 5 regular season meetings last year as well.

The X-Men dominated the first period, scoring four unanswered, with three of them coming on the man-advantage, to take a 4-0 lead.

After taking a hit to draw the first penalty, forward and second star of the night, Kristoff Kontos scored a power-play marker, firing a wrist shot low glove side past Axemen goaltender Robert Steeves.

Near the end of the first, the X-Men added three more goals within two minutes, with two power-play markers from Jagger Dirk and Holden Cook and an even strength goal from Bryson Cianfrone, all of which beat Steeves low glove side.

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Acadia hockey season preview

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The Acadia Axemen head coach Darren Burns hopes to continue their success from last year’s U SPORTS University Cup bronze medal win into this AUS season in one of the toughest men’s hockey conference in the country.

The Axemen lose several key veteran players to graduation including Daniel Pettersson, Taylor Makin, Scott Trask, Brett Thompson and Brendon Childerley. Of the graduated seniors, only Childerley and Thompson had an impact on scoring last regular season with Thompson posting 25 points (7 goals) – third among the Axemen leaders. Pettersson led the Axemen in scoring during the playoffs.

On the leadership spectrum, Makin and Trask will be a loss to the veteran laden lineup.

“It comes down to the guys who want to give the extra 10% and it’s on and off the ice. Comradery is huge and the guys have to care and have a compassion and a want to win. It’s college hockey and so you got to get better everyday at practicing and got to be rested and keep your focus away from the rink. That is very important for our success this year,” said Burns.

“I loved our leadership and I loved down the stretch our ability to deal with some adversities and losing a series and then bouncing back and having a great series (qualifying series vs. Saint Mary’s) and then arguably playing our best hockey at the U Cup,” added Burns. 

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Acadia prepares for season opener this week

In two exhibition games scheduled this past weekend against NCAA opponents, the Axemen returned home with losses against UMass-Lowell River Hawks (4-2) and UMaine Black Bears (3-1).

 

Axemen head coach Darren Burns wasn’t disappointed with the outcome.

“Our guys played very hard this weekend. Although we lost two close games, it was a trip that was very benefiscial. We learned a lot about our team and it’s strengths and some things we need to get better at. Both games were physical, but it was disciplined hockey,” said Burns following the Axemen’s game against the Black Bears.

The UMass Lowell Hockey team skated to a 4-2 exhibition win against Acadia University on Saturday night at the Tsongas Center.

Senior forward Jake Kamrass got the River Hawks on the board first with just 37 seconds left in the first period with a power-play tally.

Stephen Harper and Rodney Southam tallied goals for the Axemen in the second and third periods respectively. Southam’s power-play goal made it a 3-2 game just 4:19 into the third, after sophomore forward Ryan Lohin netted the go ahead goal just 1:58 into the final frame.

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Harper leads the way with 2 goals for Acadia

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The Acadia Axemen kept their hot pre-season play alive on a humid Tuesday night in Wolfville, beating the Dalhousie Tigers 5-0.

Veteran Axemen goaltender Robert Steeves, named the Subway First Star of the Game, turned in a stellar game, registering his first shutout of the year, while Stephen Harper put up two goals and an assist, to capture Third Star honours.

Despite even play between the two teams early in the opening period, Acadia forward Stephen Harper scored the first of five unanswered Axemen goals 5:12 into the first period.

Harper stole the Dalhousie clearing attempt in front of their net and buried the puck low blocker side, giving the Axemen a 1-0 lead that would hold into the first intermission.

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Harper, Braid each score a pair for Acadia

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Any hockey fan knows that the pre-season means nothing come time for the regular season. Despite a shaky third, the Acadia Axemen looked to be in good shape heading into another season after their 7-4 win against the UPEI Panthers on Friday night.

Acadia dominated the first period and came out with two goals to show for their hard work.

Kris Hodge potted the first goal of the year on home ice 3:36 into the first period, after he picked up a rebound in front and sent it to the back of the net.

Later in the first, Chance Braid added to the Axemen lead, when he buried the puck that was lying on the goal line to put the Axemen up 2-0 heading into the second frame.

Acadia continued to add to their lead in the second, when rookie Rodney Southam fired a one-timer power-play marker into the top left corner of the net to put Acadia up 3-0.

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Atlantic University Sport exhibition hockey comes to the town of Truro, NS on Wednesday, September 20th as the Saint Mary’s Huskies battle your Acadia Axemen. Be sure to get out to the Rath Eastlink Community Centre to catch the action, puck drop is set for 7pm.

The contest is a fundraising game for the Truro Bearcats major bantam hockey program. Tickets are $5, while kids five and under will be admitted free of charge.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online via Ticket Pro (www.ticketpro.ca) or at the RECC box office.

Thunder Adds Acadia Product Makin

Story courtesy of wichitathunder.com

Wichita, KS (Sept. 14th) – The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers, AHL’s Bakersfield Condors and powered by Toyota, announced today the signing of forward Taylor Makin.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to play for the Thunder,” stated Makin. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about Coach Cameron and am looking forward to playing for him. I’m excited to play in Wichita as I’ve been told awesome things about the fans, the organization and the city and I can’t wait to get the season started!”

Makin, 25, turns pro after playing the last four years at Acadia University (USports). A native of Blairmore, Alberta, the 6-foot, 202-pound forward collected 19 points (6g, 13a) and 147 penalty minutes in 71 career games for the Axemen.

“Taylor is a high energy, physical presence on the ice,” said Head Coach Malcolm Cameron. “He plays 100 miles an hour, 100% of the time. We look forward to seeing his energy in a Thunder jersey.”

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Edinburgh Capitals sign Canadian forward Dylan Anderson

Story courtesy ofedinburghnews.scotsman.com by Ross Dewar
The 26-year-old, who can play both wing and centre, has signed his first professional contract having spent the last five years playing in the Canadian University League – last season with Queens University following a four-year spell with Acadia University, where he was a team-mate of Caps recent signing Mike Cazzola.
Anderson revealed Cazzola, last season’s East Coast Hockey League rookie of the year, was instrumental behind his move to the Capital and now the duo can’t wait to team up again at Murrayfield. “The team contacted me a while back and things were all worked out pretty quickly,” Anderson explained. “We [Anderson and Cazzola] played four years together at Acadia, he’s a tremendous player and a big part in me deciding to come to Edinburgh. He was a big reference for me, which I appreciate, and we’re both excited to be back playing together and help Edinburgh win games.”
Anderson looks the ideal replacement for Taylor MacDougall, who last month asked to be released from the second year of his contract, and appears to revel in the workmanlike role that is so important to any team craving success.
Asked to describe himself when on the ice, Anderson said: “I’m a big skating centre-man who can play a strong game defensively, and I’m good in all three zones. I’m reliable, good on the penalty kill and strong on face-offs.” Last season Anderson bagged ten goals and eight assists in 38 appearances as Queens University reached the play-off quarter finals. He now hopes he can replicate that kind of form with his new club.
He said: “They’ve told me they like the fact that I can play wing or centre and that I can jump on to that third line and just play my game and do what I do best, playing strong defensively and killing penalties.

“I’ve always wanted to play professionally in Europe, this is a big goal of mine.”

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Heelis Looking to Make an Impact for Fife

Story courtesy of the Fife Flyers

Fife Flyers sponsored by Arnold Clark Mercedes-Benz are delighted to confirm the signing of Canadian forward, Liam Heelis.

Heelis joins Flyers having just finished a Masters Degree in Sports Psychology at McGill University in Montreal. Heelis brings versatility to the line-up being able to play in all 3 forward positions.

Heelis was part of the Owen Sound Attack side that captured an OHL championship in 2011, having spent the previous 3 seasons playing with Peterborough Petes.

Over his 4 years in the OHL, Heelis iced in 265 games scoring 56 goals and 66 assists.

Despite not playing last season due to commitments completing his Masters degree Heelis, 26, has spent the previous 5 seasons icing in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport league with Acadia University from 2011 to 2015, being named team captain in his final 2 seasons, as well as icing for McGill University in 2015/16.

During his 5 years in the CIS Heelis iced in 160 games scoring 72 goals and 96 assists.

In 2013/14 Heelis was awarded the CIS Player of the Year, just one of many awards he picked up that season, including a gold medal at the University World Championships with Team Canada playing alongside Lucas Bloodoff, older brother of new Flyers signing Evan Bloodoff.

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