Axemen enter second half of season with 4-2 over Tigers

HALIFAX, N.S. - In their first game of 2015, the CIS No. 5 ranked Acadia Axemen defeated the host Dalhousie Tigers 4-2 at the Halifax Forum. The win gives the Axemen a 13-3-1 record as they lead the AUS conference in first place, one point ahead of the UNB Varsity Reds who have a game-in-hand.

The Axemen were all over the Tigers in the first period, out-shooting them 16-5, but goaltender Corbin Boes turned all 16 shots away, leaving the game tied 0-0 at the end of the first period.

Tigers forward Kendall MacInnis got his third goal of the season, with Andrew Langan and Alex Cote grabbing assists six minutes into the second period. Midaway through the period, Axemen forward Michael Clarke finally got one past Boes, tying the game at one apiece. With just 54 seconds left in the second, Brett Thompson set up Mike Cazzola on a breakaway giving the Axemen a 2-1 lead heading into the second intermission. Cazzola's goal, his tenth of the season, put him second in AUS points leader board with teammate Brett Thompson leading the way with 12 goals and 13 assists.The Axemen continued to outshoot the Tigers 11-9.

The third period saw both teams trade minor penalties, with the Axemen taking five trips to the box while the Tigers recorded four of their own, including two sets of incidentals. Penalties mean the man advantage opportunities, but the Axemen went 0-3 on the powerplay all game. The Axemen did manage to score a short-handed goal to get the scoring started in the third, thanks to forward Alex Beaton, who scored his fourth of the season.
 
The Tigers meanwhile were able to capitalize on one of their power play opportunities to close the gap to 3-2. Fabian Walsh scored his sixth of the season on a pass from Andrew Wigginton on a 5-3 advantage with four minutes left in the game.

After pulling Boes, Boston Leier scored the empty-netter, securing the win for the Axemen. The Axemen out-shot the Tigers 45-21. Brandon Glover got his 10th win of the season for the Axemen, while Tigers keeper Corbin Boes made 42 saves.

The Axemen find themselves first overall in the conference, while the Tigers sit seventh. Both teams are back in action Friday, January 9 when Acadia hosts Saint Mary's and the StFX X-Men make the trek to Halifax to take on the Tigers. Both games are at 7pm.

Provided by Dalhousie Sports Information.