Peter DiSalvo follows shot from V-Red forward

WOLFVILLE, NS - The CIS #9 ranked Acadia Axemen opened their weekend home stand with a 3-2 loss to the CIS #2 ranked UNB Varsity Reds. The loss comes a week after a humbling 7-1 loss to the V-Reds in Fredericton, dropping the Axemen to fourth place in the AUS standings and a record of 15-8-2 in games.

The first period opened in UNB’s favour as the V-Reds took advantage of an early power play opportunity that was twenty seconds into the game. UNB’s power play unit managed to capitalize on the man advantage from a shot coming from veteran Luke Gallant that was tipped in by forward Chris Culligan. UNB would hold onto their 1-0 lead for the majority of the period until second year defenseman Chris Owens scored his tenth goal of the season on the power play late in the first frame. After tying the game at one, the period would soon close out with a total of 10-7 shots on goal in favour of the Axemen.

Early in the second period, Acadia would take their first and only lead of the game when veteran Jonathan Laberge scored his eighth goal of the season, which was assisted by Wolfville’s very own KC Brown. The Ste-Foy, QC native had several other opportunities in the game, recording a team high four shots on net.

With the Axemen holding on to a 2-1 lead, Acadia pushed to extend their lead as they took advantage of a shaken Travis Fullerton. Fullerton was initially pulled after the Laberge goal in favour of UNB backup Daneil LaCosta, but was soon put back in net several minutes after the UNB goalie change up.

UNB picked up the tying goal with just under three minutes remaining in the second period, when V-Red forward Daine Todd slid the puck through Axeman goalie Peter DiSalvo’s pads.

The third period saw UNB’s Nick MacNeil give the V-Red’s their second lead of the night and the eventual game winner three minutes into the final frame. Despite a great effort by the Axemen to tie the game at three - which saw them posting a 9-5 shots on goal advantage - UNB grabbed their third win in a row after their meltdown of losing four of five games in early January.

V-Red veteran Luke Gallant was named the Subway third star of the game, while Axeman rookie goalie Peter DiSalvo was awarded the second star of the game for playing a strong game against UNB, repelling 24 shots. V-Red Chris Culligan was added as the first star of game.

With only four penalties dished out to each team, both UNB and Acadia were one for four on the powerplay. With another win behind them, UNB improves to 17-5-2 - only six points ahead of the second place Saint Mary's Huskies and four points ahead of Acadia in the AUS standing.

Acadia will play again tomorow as they host the UPEI Panthers at 7:00 pm. The Panthers and the Axemen are tied in the standings, yet UPEI leads the regular season series with one win and an overtime win, while the Acadia have only one win against the Panthers. A win will give the Axemen a tie-breaking advantage if Acadia and UPEI remain tied in the standings at season end.

Heading into the final week of the regular season, the playoff picture is still not clear with teams jockeying for position.

Game Notes: Still on the injured list is forward Alex Beaton, Graham Bona and Leo Jenner. Nicholas Choinard returned tonight from a concussion suffered in early January. For the first time in a long while, the Axemen had a full bench compliment. Beaton, Bona and Jenner hope to be back for the playoffs.

Submitted by Graeme Heaven
Acadia Sports Information Office