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Acadia falls 4-2 to Boston University

Posted on October 3, 2015 Posted in Game Recaps

Giftopoulos and Franko score for Acadia

The Acadia Axemen were in Boston, Massachusetts on Saturday for an exhibition game against the Boston University Terriers. The final result wasn’t what the Axemen had hoped as BU knocked off the Axemen 4-2. The Terriers were the #3 ranked team in the NCAA last season, and all indications are that they will be one of the top teams again this season.

BU opened the scoring at 9:53 of the first period as Danny O’Regan sent a pass from behind the net that deflected off the leg of sliding Axemen defenseman Tyler Ferry and through the legs of Acadia goaltender Brandon Glover to put BU up 1-0.

Just over two minutes later, Acadia tied things up as Remy Giftopoulos tipped home a point shot from Tyler Ferry. But the Axemen didn’t stop there as exactly three minutes later, Zachary Franko took a breakaway pass and went in alone on the Terrier goalie. The Axemen second year sniper went forehand to backhand and roofed the puck under the crossbar, to give Acadia a 2-1 lead.

The Axemen took that lead to the intermission, but BU didn’t take long to tie things up in the 2^nd period as Shane Switzer put home the equalizer at 2:09. That was all the scoring for the second period as the teams started the third period knotted at 2.

BU scored just over 5 minutes into the third period as first year forward Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson put his team ahead to stay by making it 3-2. The Axemen pressed for the tying goal, with three powerplays, but were unsuccessful at finding the back of the net. At 13:15 of the period, BU’s Forsbacka-Karlsson took a breakaway pass as he exited the penalty box and went in alone on Glover, but was interfered with from behind by Axemen defender Daniel Poliziani. A penalty shot was awarded, and the lanky BU forward made no mistake, beating Glover with a clever deke to put his team up by a score of 4-2.

Final shots on goal in the game were 30 by Boston, 29 by Acadia. The Axemen were 0 for 4 on the powerplay while Boston was 0 for 2.

Acadia heads to Vermont to play the NCAA’s University of Vermont Catamounts before returning home to prepare for their regular season opener next week.

Axemen sweep 2 game series vs Brock with 3-1 win

Posted on September 27, 2015 Posted in Game Recaps

Cazzola with 3 point night to lead the way

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Fourth year forward Mike Cazzola scored two goals in the Axemen’s 3-1 win over the visiting Brock Badgers. Cazzola had two goals in last night’s 4-3 win over Brock.

Sixteen seconds after the opening faceoff, Cazzola gave Acadia a 1-0 lead on the first shot on starting netminder Real Cormier. The one goal lead would change to two at 13:32 of the second period when Cazzola netted his second of the night coming on the Acadia powerplay.

With a 28-15 shots on net lead, the Axemen stretched the margin to 3-0 early in the final frame when second year winger Zachary Franko scored his first goal of the preseason.

Brock finally broke the goose-egg with just under 12 minutes remaining in the game when defenseman Dan Trodel scored on the man-advantage.

Out-shot 39-21, Badger Real Cormier posted a well-respected loss with 36 saves, while Robert Steeves was tested with 20 shots in his first start of the preseason.

The Badgers will head to Moncton to take on the Aigles Bleus on Sunday, while the Axemen will prepare for a road trip to the U.S.A. this coming weekend to take on Boston College and Vermont University on Saturday and Sunday respectively before their season opener against StFX on Saturday, October 10.

Axemen squeeze out 4-3 win over visiting Badgers

Posted on September 26, 2015 Posted in Game Recaps

Maaaskant nets the game winner

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The Acadia Axemen hockey team extended their exhibition winning streak to two with a 4-3 win over the visiting Brock Badgers. The Axemen picked up a 6-3 win earlier in the week against the Moncton Aigles Bleus in Bouctouche, N.B.. They improve to 2-0 in exhibition play.

After a scoreless first period and a 17-7 shots on goal Acadia advantage, the Axemen posted the first of four goals when Mike Cazzola notched in the game opener in the second frame. The Badgers responded just over seven minutes later on a Brody Silk goal and then took a 2-1 lead when Mitch Nardi scored on the powerplay. Cazzola scored his second of two goals while the Axemen were shorthanded to end the second period in a 2-2 tie.

The Badgers, despite being out-shot 32-13 after two periods, pushed to a 3-2 lead only two minutes into the final period on a Mack Lemmon goal assisted by Badger Brody Silk.

First year forward Daniel Petterson scored his second goal of the exhibition season just over three minutes into the third period to tie the game at three. First year defenseman Liam Maaskant netted the game winner at the halfway point of the final period to give the Axemen a 4-3 win over Brock.

Brock goaltender Clint Windsor stopped 45 of 49 shots, while Acadia’s counterpart Brandon Glover repelled 20 of 23 shots for the win.

Brock and Acadia will play their second of two games this weekend tonight at 7:00 pm. The Axemen head south of the of the border next weekend to take on Boston University on Saturday Oct. 3 and Vermont University on Sunday Oct. 4. The Badgers will swing through Moncton on Sunday to take on the Aigles Bleus before returning home to Ontario.

Reminder, Golf Scramble Shotgun Start at 1:30pm Friday Sept 18th

Posted on September 17, 2015 Posted in Team Stories

Two forwards, two defencemen recruited for hockey Axemen

Posted on July 1, 2015 Posted in Team Stories

Kyle Farrell Joins the Axemen

By John Decoste

WOLFVILLE – Head coach Darren Burns is adding two forwards and two defencemen to the Acadia hockey Axemen bench this fall.

Farrell scored 103 goals and had 217 points in his major junior career, topping out with 42 goals in 63 regular season games in 2014-2015.

“Kyle is an extremely hard-working player who plays a complete 200-foot game,” Burns said. “He is a very quick player whose skating ability and tenacity will help him be an impact player in this league.”

He called Farrell “an extremely dedicated player who always strives to get better. His leadership skills and desire to succeed will be a huge asset to our program.”

Daniel Pettersson, a native of Toronto, played his major junior hockey with the Moncton Wildcats, for whom he played in the 2010 Memorial Cup tournament.

Twice a 20-goal scorer with Moncton, Pettersson played the bulk of the past two seasons overseas in Sweden and France.

“Daniel is a very experienced player,” Burns said – and at 24, Pettersson is also a bit older than a typical AUS rookie. “He has excellent vision and is a very good skater.”

Burns expects Pettersson’s “high hockey IQ” will help ease his transition to university hockey.

Liam Maskaant, a 21-year-old native of Clinton, Ont., will join the Acadia blueline this fall. At six-foot-four and 214 pounds, he has a real physical presence and will add both size and strength to the Axemen defence.

Maskaant split his junior career between the Erie Otters, Barrie Colts and Kitchener Rangers of the OHL and the Stratford Cullitons of the Greater Ontario Junior League.

Burns described him as “a very tough, stay-at-home defenceman,” and “an excellent leader who possesses a lot of integrity. He has very good mobility and makes an excellent first pass.”

Maskaant, he added, is well known for sticking up for his teammates.

“His toughness and physical play will make him an excellent addition,” Burns said.

The other blueline recruit is Brett Cote, a 21-year-old native of Oakbank, Man. Cote spent his final year in major junior with the Red Deer Rebels after having played the previous three seasons with the Victoria Royals.

Cote, a six-foot, 207 pounder, was described by Burns as “an excellent two-way defenceman.” He had 24 goals and 138 points in 281 major junior games.

“He will be a big boost to our power play on the blueline, as he sees the ice very well and has excellent puck-moving skills with a hard shot.”

Cote also does well in penalty killing situations, Burns said.

“His calm presence will help our team’s transition from the blueline.”

Asked if there would be any more recruits added this off-season, Burns said he was not certain at this point, but that as a coach, you never stop looking.

Acadia Youth to Play in Lobsterfest Tournament

Posted on June 28, 2015 Posted in Team Stories

Acadia Teams to Travel to Northeastern USA for Tournaments

Acadia Hockey Development is proud to have a number of teams participating at the Maine & New Hampshire Lobsterfest tournament from July 10-12, 2015. This marks the third year the Acadia Hockey Development group will participate in this prestigious NAPS tournament, with nearly 100 youths traveling from the Valley area to the Portland hosted event this year.

Acadia teams going to the tournament will range from the 2002 age group, up to and including the 2007 age group.

Acadia’s Darren Burns expressed excitement for all involved, “This is a tremendous opportunity for our kids. It is extremely important for the kids of the Annapolis Valley to get the opportunities that kids all across the country get. The development of kids who play year round in the valley is second to none in our province. We are very fortunate to have a first class facility and ‎it’s exciting to see the improvement in the kids of all ages. Lastly, camaraderie is a big part of this. Children and families get a chance to know each other and create lasting memories.”

Training camp for the teams will be taking place in Wolfville, NS, at the Andrew H McCain Arena on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of July, 2015.

For more information including participating teams and schedules visit: http://www.legacyglobalsports.com/aaalobsterfest

Thomas Schemitsch drafted in 3rd Round by Florida

Posted on June 28, 2015 Posted in Team Stories

Younger Brother of Axemen taken 88th overall in NHL Entry Draft

Thomas Schemitsch, an eighteen year old 6’3″ defenseman with the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack, was drafted in the third round of the 2015 NHL entry draft by the Florida Panthers. Schemitsch is the younger brother of Acadia Axemen blueliner Geoff Schemitsch. Geoff was drafted in the 4th round, 96th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning back in 2010 prior to joining the University hockey ranks with Acadia.

Thomas flourished with the Attack this season putting up 49 points in 68 games on the backend for his junior team.

Here was Thomas had to say about being drafted below:

U14 Acadia Ice Female team wins Vermont Summer Classic

Posted on June 26, 2015 Posted in Team Stories

Acadia Hockey Development team returns home as champs

The Acadia Hockey Development program would like to congratulate our female u14 Acadia Ice team on winning the Vermont Summer Classic tournament. The tournament was held from June 19^th – 21^st,2015 in Burlington, Vermont and age groups for the participating teams included 8u, 10u, 12u, 14u, and 18u.

The title completed a three-peat for this team, a group of local valley girls that have played together since they were 8 years old, as they take home the championship for the third straight year! This year they managed to outscore their opponents by an astounding 36-1 margin throughout the weekend. After beating teams from Quebec and Ontario in the opening round, they went on to know of the Vermont Shamrocks 8-0 to move onto the finals where they faced the NH Knights. The Acadia Ice shutout the Knights 4-0 to win the top prize.

For more information on the tournament visit the host website at http://vsgh.goalline.ca/page.php?page_id=22208

Bourque wows crowd at Celebrity Hockey Dinner

Posted on June 25, 2015 Posted in Team Stories

‘The rules have changed,’ but Acadia Hockey Dinner guest speaker Ray Bourque still loves hockey

John Decoste

Published on June 25, 2015

WOLFVILLE – Hockey, and in particular playing defence, has changed since Ray Bourque last played in the NHL in 2001.

Bourque, now 54, was in Kings County June 18 as the headline guest for the annual Acadia hockey Axemen celebrity dinner.Bourque’s only connection with professional hockey these days is through his two sons, both of whom play professionally. In terms of playing defence, “the rules have changed” since he played.“The rules make it so you have to be a really good skater to get into position and stay there,” he said.

“Some of the things you could get away with when I was playing, you can’t get away with now” – things like subtle holds or hooks or other means of holding up or impeding an opponent.

“I’d like to be able to be playing hockey now. The game has changed, but the rules have changed, too,” and he would enjoy the challenge.

“Going back for the puck is tougher now, because of the rules. You have to time things differently. Maybe if goalies were able to play the puck more,” or were allowed to wander further from their net, “it might compensate for that.”

Bourque says he still enjoys watching the game.

“I still think it’s great.”

Bourque was one of the top defencemen of his era, winning the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenceman five times. He still holds the NHL records for career goals, assists and points by a defenceman.

Today, he’s a fan of Duncan Keith, Shea Webber and Drew Doughty.

“They have that combination of playing good defence, being physical, but also have the skill and vision to be able to make a difference offensively,” he said.

A first-round draft choice of the Boston Bruins in 1979, Bourque played 1,612 NHL games from 1979 to 2001, all but 94 of them for the Bruins. He finished his career with 410 goals and 1, 579 points, and entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.

He was traded to the Colorado Avalanche during the 1999-2000 season, and ended up winning his only Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2001, after which he retired.

“For me to leave Boston was hard. It wasn’t a good situation (at the time), but it was still a tough decision to make,” he said.

“The 15 months I spent in Denver were great. I got to see how things were done differently somewhere else, and I got to win the Cup my last year.”

Bourque was 38 years old when he went to Colorado.

Axemen set for 2015-16 with 4 new recruits

Posted on June 23, 2015 Posted in Team Stories