Axemen Score OT Win

(WOLFVILLE, NS) The U SPORTS No. 8 ranked Acadia Axemen snapped a five-game losing streak in dramatic fashion, downing the No. 2 UNB Varsity Reds 4-3, in overtime. Kyle Farrell(Howie Center, NS) notched two goals in the win, while Remy Giftopoulos(Ancaster, ON) scored the winner 1:30 into the extra frame.

The Axemen opened the scoring early when Farrell was sprung on a partial breakaway, where he lifted a backhand past the glove of the UNB goaltender Alex Dubeau(Mascouche, QC).

UNB answered early in the second, with a power-play marker from defenseman Randy Gazzola(Thorold, ON), who came in tight on the Axemen net and tucked a backhand into the bottom left corner to tie the game 1-1.

The Varsity Reds took the lead before the half-way mark of the second frame on a shorthanded goal from Chris Clapperton(Cap d'Espoir, QC). He fired a wrist shot under the pads of Axemen netminder Robert Steeves(Moncton, NB).

Farrell scored his second of the night when he was left open in the slot and buried a one-timer to tie the game 2-2.

UNB regained the lead in the third, when Gazzola scored his second of the night on a long wrist shot from the top of the right faceoff circle, making it 3-2.

The Axemen tied the game in dramatic fashion, with their goalie pulled and 12.7 seconds left on the clock.

Axemen forward Boston Leier scored the tying goal after picking up a rebound from an Acadia point shot in front of the net.

The Axemen started the overtime on the power-play and they took advantage of their opportunity, with Giftopoulos lifting the puck over the left pad of the sprawling Dubeau for the game-winner.

Steeves turned aside 24 of 27 shots, while Dubeau stopped 25 of 29.

Acadia plays their final home game of the season on Friday, against the Saint Mary's Huskies, while UNB will host St FX. Both games are scheduled for 7:00pm starts.