Three unanswered goals push Stingers past Axemen

(Wolfville, N.S) – Three unanswered goals helped the Concordia Stingers defeat the Acadia Axemen 3-2 in non-conference exhibition play on Friday night with 1423 fans in attendance at the Andrew H. McCain Arena in Wolfville. The game was the second for both teams in exhibition play with the Acadia winning their first game 6-4 over Saint Mary's on Wednesday in Bridgetown, N.S. and the Stingers rebounding from their 5-2 loss to the UQTR Patriots six days ago.

The Axemen opened up the scoring in the first period at 6:31 with forth year defender-forward Tyler Ferry (Richmond Hill, Ont.) controlling his own rebound and tucking the puck behind Stingers' goaltender Miguel Sullivan (Petit De Grat, N.S.) on his far side.

After a Concordia minor 20 seconds later, the Axemen jumped out to a 2-0 lead as Remy Giftopolous (Ancaster, Ont.) controlled rebound from the point shot of veteran defender Geoff Schemitsch (Thornhill, Ont.) and put the puck passed Sullivan.

After Acadia took two minor penalties just a little after the midway of the first, Concordia head coach Marc-André Élement took a timeout in an attempt to take advantage of their two-man advantage. His bid was successful as Concordia cut the lead in half at the 15:06 mark with captain Oliver Hinse (Sherbrooke, Que.) redirected a shot from the point putting it past Axemen goaltender Brandon Glover (Victoria, B.C.).

Just over a minute into the second period had elapsed when forward Matt Boudreau (St. Eustache, Que.) tied the game up at two with a wrap-around goal that beat Glover to his far side.

Both teams exchanged scoring chances but were stymied by the great play of Glover and Sullivan, who got the win with his 35 save performance.

The Axemen made a goalie change shortly after the half way point of the second period, putting in Robert Steeves (Moncton, N.B.) who would eventually record the loss for the Axemen.

The second period was marred by penalties from the Axemen in an unusually chippy affair for preseason action. There would be 13 infractions from both sides as Concordia went one for eight on the powerplay, while the Axemen one for two.

The game-winning goal was scored by Concordia's alternate captain, Phillipe Hudon (Hudson, Que.) on a partial breakaway after receiving a great outlet pass from Scott Oke (St. Lambert, Que.) who beat Steeves glove side to give the Stingers their first lead of the game at 12:43 of the third.

The Axemen attempted a late rally but fell short as Concordia's goaltender Sullivan played well to ensure a Stinger's victory and a second star of the game recognition. The Subway Player of the Game award went to Stinger Matthieu Desautels while Acadia's Remy Giftopoulos was named the third star.

Both teams will meet again tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. at the Acadia Athletic Complex in Wolfville before the Axemen will head off to the United States to take on Northeastern and Providence as preseason action continues.

By John Woodworth, Acadia Communications Office.