Hockey Axemen hold onto first with 5-2 over UPEI

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - The CIS No. 3 ranked Acadia Axemen improve to 13-1-2 and hold a 5 point lead on the UNB Varsity Reds for first place in the AUS standings, with a 5-2 win over the UPEI Panthers.

Acadia took a 2-0 first period lead off of goals from Michael Clarke at 13:13 and then sniper Brett Thompson added his sixth goal of the regular season a minute and twenty four seconds later.

Panther Travis McIsaac narrowed the lead to one with a powerplay goal in the second period.

The Axemen took a commanding 4-1 lead after two quick goals early in the third period. Mike Cazzola scored his fifth goal of the season on the man-advantage and teammate Dustin Ekelman scored his second goal of the weekend just over two minutes after Cazzola.

Jordan Mayer scored UPEI's second powerplay goal of the night with just under four minutes remaining in the game to close the lead to 4-2, but Dylan Anderson hammered the last nail in the coffin with a goal at 18:05.

Goaltender Evan Mosher was awarded the win with 30 saves while UPEI's Wayne Savage stopped 29 shots. Acadia was one for five on the man advantage while UPEI was two for five. The Axemen out-shot UPEI 34-32.

League leading goal scorer Liam Heelis was held off the scoreboard but he did manage to collect an assist on Mike Cazzola's goal.

The Axemen host the Saint Mary's Huskies this coming Friday night at 7pm.

Photo courtesy of Jason Malloy, Charlottetown Guardian