Axemen fall short in tough fought loss to Huskies

SASKATOON, SK - Derek Hulak scored with two minutes remaining in the game to break a deadlock at two, giving the Saskatchewan Huskies a 3-2 win over the CIS No. 2 seeded Axemen in their first game of the University Cup.
 
With the win, the Huskies are tied with Windsor Lancers atop the Pool B standings, while the Axemen will complete their first appearance in the CIS University Cup since 2006 with an 0-2 record after losing 4-2 in their opening game against the Lancers.
 
Brennan Bosch's pass in the neutral zone to Hulak allowed the Canada West leading scorer to cut hard to the middle and sidestep Axemen goaltender Evan Mosher's poke check to net the go-ahead goal and eventual game winner.
 
The Axemen pulled their goalie with 1:50 remaining with hopes to tie the game at three, but were unable to send the game into overtime in part due to a late game penalty.
 
Considered one of the most entertaining games thus far in the four day tournament, the game was a back and forth affair.

Acadia opened the scoring on a Liam Heels powerplay goal nearly four minutes into the first frame. The CIS Outstanding player of the year scored his second goal of the tournament by beating Huskie netminder Ryan Holfeld midway on the glove-hand side.
 
The Huskies responded less than two minutes later when Cody Smuk fired the puck past Acadia's Mosher off of a Bosch drop pass.
 
The Huskies took their first lead of the contest midway through the first period on a power play goal from Bosch.
 
With four minutes to go in the second, senior defenseman Leo Jenner tied the game at two off of a Heelis pass to Jenner, who netted the one-timer.

The Axemen's third year captain was choked at times at the press conference that followed, as he reflected on the game's result and those who will graduate this season "The outcome wasn't what we wanted," said Heelis. "The guys battled hard and we have unbelievable group of guys in our change room. It was definitely a learning experience for all of us here."
 
Head coach Darren Burns led the media's questions following the game. "I couldn't be more proud of our guys... it's arguably the best group of guys I've ever coached."
 
Both goalies made key saves throught the game including Huskies' Holfeld 26 saves and Mosher's 27. The Axemen were penalized 28 minutes on 10 infractions and held the Huskies to one goal on nine powerplays. The Axemen were one for five on the man-advantage.
 
Brett Thompson earned the honour as Acadia's Player of the Game, while Hulak was named the "man of the hour" for his effort in the Huskies' win.