Axemen improve to 3-1 in exhibition play with 7-2 win over Tigers

LIVERPOOL, N.S. - The Acadia Axemen hockey team posted a 7-2 win over the Dalhousie Tigers in their fourth of four exhibition games against AUS opponents. The game was the second matchup against the Tigers in the last week. Following Wednesday night's home 3-2 OT-SO loss to the visiting Moncton Aigles Bleus, the Axemen rebounded back with a strong showing against the Tigers

Third year forward Brett Thompson capitalized on the powerplay and opened the scoring. Linemate Mike Cazzola scored the first of two goals shortly after Thompson to give Acadia a 2-0 lead. The Tigers narrowed the lead to one with a goal in the closing minutes of the first period.

A scoreless second period was followed by a third period that saw six goals scored with the Tigers on the short end of the stick. Scott Trask extended the lead to two with his second goal of the exhibition season. Dalhousie responded on a powerplay goal.

Senior captain Liam Heelis scored his first of the exhibition season to regain Acadia's 2 goal lead. Heelis, who has only played one of Acadia's three previous exhibiton games because of his recent participation in a Florida Panthers of the NHL training camp. Third year standout Mike Cazzola notched his second of the game followed by Travis Gibbons and Joel Ridgeway who capped the scoring for the Axemen.

The Axemen will head south of border for two exhibition games against NCAA opponents including Quinnipiac and Northeastern. Acadia then opens the AUS regular season at the Halifax Forum against Dahousie on October 11 and then return home for a two game weekend versus UPEI and St. Thomas on Oct. 17 and 18 respectively.